Generous 2 bed flat (with hallway) or 3 bed flat (with box room)

[rosetintedmemories2023]

What is a more sensible upgrade?

We would like to stay in flats long term - mortgage crisis has confirmed to us that we don't want to overstretch ourselves and we don't want to leave London for family/career reasons (DH is also a 4th generation Londoner and would prefer to leave the country if he had to leave London; we have other passports so that is an option). However, the housing crisis is global (including the rental crisis) so I think we should be happy with what we have and try to make a small improvement to what we have (if we can). If it doesn't work out, at least we have what we have... Probably would wait for the market to drop to move..

We currently own a small 2 bed flat in z3 north London.(typical 1930s, 60 sq metres with 1 double bedroom and a second 'small double bedroom') but would like more space long term.

My DH says it's not the number of rooms but the square footage and the size of the rooms. He only likes purpose built flats. I think it's better to have a third bedroom but almost all the third bedrooms are very small.
m.

It will really help me decide on my search criteria. Thank you.

I'd choose the best location, good space (sq m) and layout over a set number of bedrooms. Maybe spend the money saved by moving on an architect to reconfigure the space so it works best for you? BBC's Your Home Made Perfect is my guilty pleasure TV. Worth a watch. I still can't believe they put a bath tub in the living room in one episode!

Using these as an example, as well as your PP, I'd definitely go for the 3 bed.

Bedroom 3 would be a perfect office for your DH for when he works from home and means you wouldn't need to try and be quiet or keep out of the way while you're at home with the baby, as and when that time comes.

Someone I know had a 2 bed flat with 2 children and ended up renting a space at a local shared workspace centre because it was impossible to work from home with his wife and kids there.

If he ends up working from the office there's always other uses for a small third bedroom, even if it's just storage.

We've got a box room and it was great while our youngest had a cot but then when she needed a bed, we had to remove the skirting boards to fit it in! She was pretty fed up that her sisters had rooms with double beds in and she had the "harry potter cupboard". Now they've all flown the nest I've got a heated airer and the ironing board in there and it's horribly cramped. I'd go for 2 decent sized bedrooms any day.

Why do you need to decide now? You own a 2bed, just stay there. Have dc1, and if you feel it then warrants a third bedroom, sell and move then

Agree with Bernadette - you don't need to move yet, so don't.

You want to live minimally, you don't have a child on the way, so sit tight and wait, then buy if you need something more in the future

would it be that easy to move during the childcare years. Part of me is leaning towards that but at the same time, its so hard to buy a property (in my experience and that was before a chain was involved) that if it manages to happen before i have a child, then that isn't a bad thing. esp now house prices are falling, it could be a good opportunity to upsize.

I ask DH everyday whether we should remove our flat from the market and he says- keep it on, it doesn't cost anything anyway. Of course we would be prudent and not overstretch ourselves!

The layout of the 2 bed looks nicer in the floorplans you have posted with the kitchen being right next to the reception room, a balcony and both bedrooms being very good sized. I don't consider bedroom 3 in the other one a proper bedroom as too narrow at less than 7 foot but it would be ok as a study. People don't just wfh for their employers convenience, but more that they prefer not commuting so talk to your partner about that. It may be a high priority for him to not have to return to the office 5 days a week after you have a baby, and working from the Reception room will also not be feasible for him once you have a crying/noisy baby in there.

The 3 bed looks like it would flow less well, so I can see why it didn't feel as nice as the 2 bed.

Maybe carry on looking if you think you can afford a nicer 3 bed.