Talk it over with me?

[something2say]

Hi,

My situation is...
Almost 48, never married, no kids.
Split with fiance, sold flat which is all mine.
Made a nice bit of profit which enables me to almost buy a flat, small mortgage.
Have offered on a two bed ground floor flat.
Living costs will be low once I've sorted it.

My worries are...
It's the smallest place I've ever owned.
Ugly electric radiators need replacing. Not a problem as done it before but will they be able to move location of two radiators? How does the cabling work?
It's got no windows on one side and no nice views.
The living room is odd, the bay window is in the middle of the wall as you look from the outside, but inside, in the living room, it's right up against the wall and I'll lose daylight with curtains.

Otherwise I can walk to work, so saving petrol and car costs, itll be very affordable, I'm going to replace the carpet and paint obviously, and in time sort kitchen and bathroom. I'll make it nice.

I just could do without the odd living room. But I'd almost own it and this would make a big difference to my finances.

Forgot to add, it's the last street in the village, opening out to a very beautiful area of rural countryside. It makes me happy to think that is on my doorstep. I can walk there all the time.

In my current flat, I have a big living room that I hardly use. I practice guitar in the large bedroom which we made into our dining room slash my music room. I've got two lovely bookcases in there, a love seat, a table and chairs, my amps etc. Its cosy and pretty. I said to myself, please universe, just find me a place like this, I don't need that big living room.

I'm now going to have to give away my 3 seater sofa etc.

But the feeling of having the freedom of almost owning a place, not being governed by work after all these years...I don't want to live with anyone again.

What else did you look at? How tight is your budget? What's more important to you - internal space or low mortgage? If you like the street but not the flat, can you afford anything else on that street? I'd be inclined to keep looking, because you do seem to have a lot of doubts about this one. It's a big decision, so feel free to take the time to look thoroughly. Don't forget that at 48, you've got potentially 20 years of work left, which would enable you to pay off a slightly larger mortgage if you decide you'd rather have more space/better layout.

You don’t sound like you love this flat, but it’s a practical solution. Can you wait to see If something better comes along. Or will the countryside offset the shortfall of the flat? Once you’ve decorated it to your taste, do you think,you will like it more? Plus. Being financially more stable.

Are properties in that village rare?

How often will you walk?

Will the smallness of it inhibit you being able to socialise?
Or are you likely to use the extra income to do more?

Are you good at making spaces look nice?

I’d be worried about the lack of windows to be honest. What rooms are affected?

That's it, I don't love it, but it will be helpful to me. I'll make the best of it. I've moved to this area and the wages arent high, but the lifestyle is better. I could spend more on a more expensive flat, but I just have to then pay for it and that's what my problem is. I'm getting sick of work. I want to play my guitar more.

I think it sounds good. Could you have blinds instead of curtains in the lounge? There are lots of options for electric radiators these days so you could easily relocate/fit new ones. The location sounds really good. There is a lot to be said for a financially manageable property. You can easily make it your own with paint and furnishing. Enjoy your new home.

I am good at making houses look nice yes.

I will walk often especially as my local music venue is straight across the way.

Once I've changed the nasty carpet and painted and got my pictures and mirrors up, itll be better. In fact I've planned it all out. Even the outside area. And the houses around are nicely cared for, it was quiet and I met a nice neighbour lady already.

My feeling was, relief!!! I can settle here. I can afford it, my work is right there, I can walk home from the pub.

I will not want to have people round tho, or only one at a time.

I think the thing is to not look at how flat is now, but what you could do with it. Can you make it look nice? The utilities should be cheaper in a smaller property. If you are close to lovely walks would you make use of that facility? I think a recession may be coming and you may be glad of lower mortgage payments. I'm sure it will look nicer once you have decorated it and new carpets and your own bits and pieces around you.

Thank you, that's how I feel. I want to hide up somewhere safe and let this financial crash wash over me.

You're right, my first flat was AWFUL when I moved in and people used to double take when I'd sorted it out.

Yes blinds I think may be best. The bay window does let in a lot of light.

I'm going to be quite creative I think, I enjoy doing up a house.

Thank you, I feel better now.

I’m not sure about the layout, but is there a chance you could get a builder to look at the possibility of knocking down an internal wall
somewHere to make it more light and airy?

All you have to do it watch Good Morning Britain right now talking about the energy crisis and cost of living to make you feel happy about buying something you can afford!! Peace of mind means so much.

It sounds like an exciting project to me.

To help with the radiators.. we bought a property with hideous old storage radiators. Husband easily disconnected 2 and we got rid entirely. Gave us surprisingly more room and very useful wall space. We added a log burner to one of the rooms and modern electric rads to kitchen and bathroom.

Modern electric radiators are slim, more efficient plug in ones, many of which you can program via an app on your phone. Have a google.

I'm a fan of shutters at windows.
Radiator can be sorted easily as pp have said.
This doesn't have to be your forever home. If it suits you for now and it makes you feel secure go for it.

Thank you.

How did you install a log burner?

Yes slimline electric radiators, lovely cream kitchen with good lighting, already sorted gardener with strimmer to come round and sort the knee high grass.

There was already a chimney. We had to have it opened and lined but it was a 2 day job from start to finish. If you don't have a chimney is there are other ways.. flues can go through outside walls and roofs. Not sure if you'd need permission for that though. I love ours.

Did you say your radiators are electric? To free up floor space you could consider something like these

www.warm4less.com/product/infrared-heaters/infrared-picture-panels/wildlife/700-watts-rocks-on-the-beach-panel/

I have one where I work and it is very effective. They heat you (and objects) rather than the room. Could be useful if living alone. Would be best facing where you like to sit.

As for the flat, the saying is ' location, location, location ' for a reason. Most other things can be changed but never where it is. It sounds like it has a few compromises but if this is where you want to be and this flat is the best on your budget, you probably have your answer

Wow electric radiators have really come on haven't they, goodness! Thanks for the link.

I'm actually going to go for a ladder type heater, to hang lengthways on the small bit of living room wall between the door and the open plan kitchen. That means a nice slimline, tall heater in an otherwise dead bit of space.

Thank you for the space to get it all down, I appreciate the feedback.