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Original poster

Buying a flat(instead of a house) because I'm probably going to be single forever?

62 replies

Dramallamaalpaca · 11/05/2022 21:39

I can't work out if this is a stupid question or not, but I've gone round it in my head so many times, it's all muddled up!

So I'm early 30s, professional, want to get a mortgage. Healthy deposit, can afford nice house or high end city centre flat.

Also, I probably will be single forever. This is fine. I've accepted it. I also definitely will not be having children.

Now, everything I've read/everyone I've asked says..do not buy a flat if you can afford a house. Ground rent, leasehold, service charge etc etc.

But, I just feel like I have no use for a house. I would absolutely be rattling around in there, occupying a tiny bit of it whilst the rest gathers dust and draws attention to the fact that there is only one person living there.

I love the idea of living in a swanky, city centre apartment. I like apartments. I like the limited space. Inspires me to be minimalistic. It feels cosy. I'd like a little patio instead of a garden. I want tk be right in the centre instead of the suburbs. I like that there is physically less to go wrong when compared to a house.

But, I can afford a nice house.

Are the downsides to buying a flat that bad?

Please help!

OP posts:
AmberLynn1536 · 11/05/2022 23:48

When I fully retire in about ten years I’m seriously thinking of moving to an apartment, the ones I have my eye on are as expensive as my house (front line sea view apartment with large balcony) I love my current house but it takes so much looking after, it’s like living on the fourth bridge, the maintenance and gardening is never ending and I don’t want to spend my retirement years maintaining a large house, it’s exhausting now, let alone when I’m older, I would happily pay maintenance fees for a relaxing life and a stunning view! Looking after a house is hard work, go for the city centre apartment, you are buying a lifestyle not just a home, I think it sounds fabulous!

Pickabearanybear · 11/05/2022 23:53

This reply has been withdrawn

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ExMachinaDeus · 12/05/2022 00:00

I have a big house. All to myself. No rattling around - I love it!

The rooms are properly proportioned. The issue with smaller houses or one-bedroom flats is that the rooms are also all scaled down. Designers/architects/developers need to remember that just because someone might need fewer rooms, they don't need those rooms to be sm^^aller.

Jellybott · 12/05/2022 08:01

Just get the one you think you'd enjoy living in the most. You can always sell it again - I've had 2 flats before buying my house (i'm in my thirties), so you can always change your mind!

KangarooKenny · 12/05/2022 08:10

No, I’d never buy a flat.

Lizziekisss · 12/05/2022 08:15

If I was you I’d choose a flat too. Get what suits your lifestyle not someone else’s.

MozerellaSalad · 12/05/2022 08:28

All the people saying no cladding- unless they have an ESW1 they are not mortgageable (and very clear cash only on description) If they have one then fine.

No need to be hysterical and have. blanket ban on cladding.

Rainbowqueeen · 12/05/2022 08:32

I’d buy a flat but be very picky about the size of the block and which floor I was on and having some outdoor space. Sounds wonderful

mynameiscalypso · 12/05/2022 08:35

I always find the anti-flat vibe you get a MN very odd. I love living in a flat, would never go back to living in a house. I feel so much safer in a flat and love that it's all on one level. My DPs moved out of the family home into a swanky city centre apartment a few years ago and it's perfect for their lifestyle.

Bouledeneige · 12/05/2022 08:39

I've downsized from a house to a flat as my DC are at university and I was rattling around in a house on my own. With utility prices going up it doesn't make sense to buy a home that is expensive to heat and maintain when you don't need to.

I've bought a large flat in a double fronted Edwardian though - not a city centre flat. It means that I get a lovely garden, I'm close to friends and that I own a shared freehold not a leasehold with ground rent and service charges. I think you should buy exactly what you want where you want but be careful about checking how ground rent and service charges are set in the long term and whether they are tied to inflation (which is going through the roof). You could be tied into a very costly agreement longer term.

KweenCnut · 12/05/2022 08:48

Try to get a flat with a share of the freehold, that way all the owners control the service charges

Branleuse · 12/05/2022 08:51

Sounds like a flat would be ideal for you.
Lower maintenance, more central, easier to heat.

Karmatime · 12/05/2022 09:03

I bought my first home, a flat, in my early 30s, moved to a house in my 40s and now in my 50s and will be moving to a flat. I loved both my homes but I’m looking forward to moving back to one level, more central and lower heating bills. I’m currently renting a flat whilst looking and even though it’s not even very nice I like the minimalism. Also any decision you make now is not a decision for life.

Rowantree76 · 12/05/2022 09:20

I used to live in a city centre flat....top floor ( 2nd) it was brilliant .....it did lack outside space ..a balcony would have been fab!

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 12/05/2022 09:25

When I was single I lived in a lovely 2 up 2 down. It was perfect and felt really cosy /coattagey

Mufflette · 12/05/2022 09:32

Definitely sounds like the flat's the best choice!
However I would say do as much research as you can on ground rent/service agreements and the freeholder or management company. Any issues friends of mine have had have been with those rather than the flat itself - make sure maintenance will be done if needed but you won't suddenly be screwed for additional payments.

ThereWillBeSnacks · 12/05/2022 09:36

I lived in flats for years and years - as a single, when coupled-up, married with a baby and as a single parent with a young child. I loved living in flats, felt safe and loved being in the centre of things and feeling part of a community. Once we could finally afford to buy, a house was a no-brainer for our lifestyle, but in your shoes I'd stick with a flat no question!

In fact, DH and I are planning to retire to one of those gorgeous tenements in the west end or south side of Glasgow. It will need to be ground floor with a bit of garden space, but I actually can't wait Grin

Most of the rest of the world manages to live very happily in flats or apartments. it's only in the UK that we have this weird obsession with / snobbery about houses. Go for it!

Igmum · 12/05/2022 09:36

If you want to live in a flat then buy a flat. Of course property is an investment, but it is mainly somewhere for you to live and enjoy. Buy what gives you pleasure within your budget. If, later, you want to buy a house you can sell your flat and do so.

Defaultuser · 12/05/2022 09:40

I think a flat sounds perfect for you. I love flat living, I love being near people. Near me many older people have downsized to flats so you won't necessarily change your mind as you get older.

Cantthinkofanewusername · 12/05/2022 09:42

Pick what you feel suits you. When my DC finish Uni I'm going to downsize to a flat with a sea view (with easy access to the trainline into town for theatre trips etc).

HalfShrunkMoreToGo · 12/05/2022 09:47

Buy what suits you but make allowances for things like service charges. Ask to see as many years worth of service charges and additional fees for the property as you can, set aside a slush fund that you don't touch so that if you get one of those letters saying that all of a sudden something needs fixing and isn't covered by the service charge fund, you have the money.

Honestly if I were single I'd get a flat, a really nice one in a converted church or warehouse as just love the look and feel of them.

Elsie2022 · 12/05/2022 09:58

I bought a 2 bed flat in 2019 with my DH and want to buy a bigger flat even though I also want to have a DC (probably an only child due to wanting to wait a bit). This is in London. I would prefer a nice flat over a small house and I would choose location over having a house. And I would rather spend less. Hence I lean towards flats. Flats often have bigger internal space than small houses and in London, unless you have a great budget or are willing to move to a less popular area, its generally a choice between a flat or a small house.

My flat's freehold is owned by residents, it was built in 1930s (so no cladding), it has no lift. There is a communal garden. I would choose a period flat with minimum 2-3 bedrooms (even as a single, i would buy a 3 bed flat if the budget was comfortable so you can have a study and a guest room), where the residents manage the development or own the freehold, no lift, reasonable service charges, garden.

Penguinwaddler · 12/05/2022 09:59

I'm in a 1 bed flat which is a converted house so I have downstairs neighbours. It's absolutely gorgeous and I feel very at home here. I'm in my 30s and single after sharing a house with an ex. I feel very at home and happy here :) I would like some outdoor space so in the future I'd consider another flat or a small house with a garden.

Definitely do what suits your lifestyle! And as others have said, ensure you know about ground rent, service charges etc and ask about the neighbours too. Also walk past the places you're looking at at different times of the day to see what it's like (my place is a short walk from restaurants and bars so I went by in the evenings to see what the noise/on foot traffic was like).

hepaticanobilis · 12/05/2022 10:02

If you like living in a flat then that's an obvious choice for you.

I'm single too and have a house. I would never go back to a flat now. For me, the main benefits are the freedom to do things that the master lease for flats may prohibit - for example, even my share of freehold flat had a no pets clause. And obviously my house is mine so I can choose to have the windows or door changed, paint any colour and so on. I like having a private garden as well.

And the second big one is not experiencing as much neighbour disruption. My last flat was an old house converted into flats and it really felt like sharing a house with my neighbours. Their cooking smells came through (they liked meaty stews they cooked for ages and I'm vegetarian...) and the noise and vibrations from their kids running around and their guests slamming the door when leaving late at night were so loud. Somehow it feels very different in a house, even when I hear my neighbours they are still that bit further away.

noborisno · 12/05/2022 10:30

I'd definitely steer well clear of a place that would incur charges above the mortgage (except what you can't get out of like CT), so a flat would be out for me. That sounds awful.

But I agree about a house; If I was single like you then I would go for a bungalow. My friend has the loveliest bungalow near me with a big garden. She has a dog and cat and the place is lovely. She can keep on top of the cleaning and gardening.

I would definitely get a bungalow, and if I could afford a nice house I would buy a luxury bungalow and potter about in it and in the garden. If you had three bedrooms you would have room for a family if one occurred.