Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Moving to a smaller flat

16 replies

bardos · 02/07/2023 10:44

I need some advice. I’m currently living in a flat (4th floor in a high rise). The flat has two double rooms and a large living room but no storage. I’ve been offered another two bed flat on 2nd floor in a much nicer block (no one above and lots of storage) one of the bedrooms and the front room is smaller. I have two kids.

I’m torn between staying in a larger flat but in a worse area, or taking a smaller flat for a nicer area. I’ve been trying to move for 3 years but no one wants a high rise so this is my first chance of getting out of it.

Advice please!

OP posts:
Reugny · 02/07/2023 10:54

Depends.

How old are your kids?

Are any of them boys?

Where do they hang out regardless of their sex?

Do you have issues with your current neighbours?

Original poster
bardos · 02/07/2023 11:04

2 and 5. My daughter likes playing in her bed, but my son rarely plays in the bedroom. I've got one boy one girl. Neighbours directly next to me are fine. But there are lots of drug users living in other flats in the block. Lots of arguing at night and police around often. I've previously had someone try to break in about 18 months ago. I'm just torn between what to do. It will be a better environment for us, but means smaller living space

OP posts:
KievLoverTwo · 02/07/2023 11:59

You would be amazed at the ingenious solutions people come up with for storage in smaller homes. Other people will be able to direct you sources for inspiration.

I definitely think it's worth moving the kids away from a druggie area. You will be far less on edge and tense and the kids will have a far happier upbringing as a result.

Pinkdelight3 · 02/07/2023 12:44

I'd bite their hand off. A bit of room space is a minor sacrifice to get your family out of a high rise in a bad area.

Marblessolveeverything · 02/07/2023 12:48

Go for the better location as the children get older it will make a difference.

When you have the time and funds then figure a way of dividing the bigger room for them to have privacy.

You will sleep easier when they are out and about if the area is calmer.

Grasshedgeplants · 02/07/2023 12:48

I'd move because presumably you would then find it easier to swap with someone in the future if it's a nicer area (I'm assuming you'll need a 3 bedroomed in ghe future if you have b/g.

Unicorn2022 · 02/07/2023 13:12

I would take it like a shot. Give the kids the bigger room and work out a way of dividing it up when they are a bit older.

Reugny · 02/07/2023 13:15

Move!!

Get them out of your current area before they get to 10 and are more independent.

GrumpyPanda · 02/07/2023 13:17

Go for it.

Karmatime · 02/07/2023 14:51

I’d definitely go for the smaller flat nicer block better area.

Original poster
bardos · 02/07/2023 17:24

Thanks everyone. We are going to go for it. We have too much stuff anyway so at least we won't have the space for all of our crapGrin. We are hoping that it will give us a better chance at moving in the future and a nicer area for the kids to grow up.

OP posts:
KievLoverTwo · 02/07/2023 17:51

I am glad you have decided. I would just like to add that my sister and I grew up on the 4th floor of a 6 floor block of flats on a council estate in South London, and it was utterly shit. We left when I was 10 or 11 and rioting and firebombing had begun, but prior to that, I was never allowed to go out in my area on my own. I never had opportunities to meet and play with children nearby. I had to make friends at school near my Nan's estate which was too far away for me to travel on my own, so my only opportunity to play with them was during school holidays.

It was utterly, utterly shit, and I have never found it easy to just slot into groups of friends, probably as a result.

You are definitely doing the right thing.

As others said, get your feet in this house, and maybe you can switch for a bigger one in a similar area later.

You have done the thing I wish my mum had done by putting the kids first.

KievLoverTwo · 02/07/2023 17:54

Oh and by the time we moved, it was six months before the end of primary school. Everyone had formed their friendship groups and didn't really want to be nice to a lone London kid.

Then those friendship groups carried through into secondary.

I guess it's just dawned on me how important it is for kids to be able to socialise and feel safe.

Twiglets1 · 02/07/2023 22:05

bardos · 02/07/2023 11:04

2 and 5. My daughter likes playing in her bed, but my son rarely plays in the bedroom. I've got one boy one girl. Neighbours directly next to me are fine. But there are lots of drug users living in other flats in the block. Lots of arguing at night and police around often. I've previously had someone try to break in about 18 months ago. I'm just torn between what to do. It will be a better environment for us, but means smaller living space

I agree you should get yourself and your kids away from that area, sounds pretty bad. A better area may have better schools too

Original poster
bardos · 04/07/2023 19:28

I've agreed to the swap so fingers crossed it all goes through. It's only a 10 minute walk away so they will stay at the same school/nursery, but atleast it will feel safer

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 04/07/2023 19:33

bardos · 04/07/2023 19:28

I've agreed to the swap so fingers crossed it all goes through. It's only a 10 minute walk away so they will stay at the same school/nursery, but atleast it will feel safer

Feeling safer is worth a lot - fingers crossed for you

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread