Cannot decide between houses

[Lovecats27]

I have seen 2 shared ownership properties. One is a ground floor 2 bed maisonette with garden, other is a 2 bed semi detached house. The maisonette needs some cosmetic work whilst the house is in immaculate condition. The house will work out about 220 more a month than the maisonette. After calculating my budget, I would have about 350 left over a month once all bills and food is paid and that is if I go for the house. I'm worried this won't be enough if I had an emergency situation. For context I am soon to be a single mum to a 2 year old DS.
My heart says to go for the house but my head says the maisonette as is cheaper.
Can any of you lovely people please advise?

Is the maisonette freehold or leasehold, and if the latter what are the charges?
I would always try to buy a house, especially if the maisonette is part of a converted larger house, mostly because of the potential impact of the upstairs neighbours. I understand your worries though in the current climate.

Yep, it can be a mask for costs elsewhere if something needs sorting out, you pay your share.
Personally I'd chose the house

are there differences in terms of location / local amenities / primary schools etc? I would go for whichever is in a better location.

do you know what the heating bills are? is the house well insulated? the maisonette will be cheaper to heat because the flats above / beside will keep it warm.

When you say after all bills, is that accounting for Christmas, holidays, clothes, activities, insurance, home maintenance etc or just the bare essentials?

How long will you stay at this place?

Before you get into a contract you must always find out how you get out of it at the end. What are the rules when you come to sell? - I know shared ownership can get complicated.

Shared ownership is not a good deal. Please be careful.

How about the neighbourhoods they are in, schools for Dc, access to green spaces, transport, shops etc?

£350 seems very tight with energy bills likely to rise again in April

Hi all, thank you for your replies. Both properties are leasehold, the only difference is that the maisonette rent is half the price of the house hence the costs difference, the mortgage works out the same amount of money.
They are both in good areas, they both have access to private garden. My budget would cover the house bills, food and transport. So the 350 per month is for anything else, like clothes or xmas. I done an estimate with utility warehouse and it works out same costs for energy bills.
Just don't know what to do. The maisonette will need some work such as a new boiler and new carpets. The house is immaculate ready to move in.