Would you buy something like this?

[Iamabarbiegirl]

This is a very expensive area of South West London, with great train connections, schools, all the amenities you can think of, safe and very close to Kingston, which is an amazing town for shopping (just saying this as I appreciate people from other parts of the country might think this price is nuts for a property like this):

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132580421#/?channel=RES_BUY

and that other link is Tolworth, even less desirable .... and it pisses me off when estate agents call it Surbiton!

Not even bordering Surbiton ... practically on the A3😁

Your second link has a better outside space, but none-optimal internals.
The first one has, imo, better internals, but lacking outside.
What is more important to you?

Lived in Surbiton for two years it’s lovely, we even considered buying there but then moved to the south west to get more for our money.

Our budget would be similar to yours an did say this is one of the nicer ones I’ve seen so if you like it go for it.

Looking at the map as well it’s properly in surbiton as well not on the edge which is good.

That’s in Tolworth a very different area to Surbiton. I understand why OP would rather a flat and be in Surbiton.

I personally think this is ugly! And New Malden is not as nice and desirable as Surbiton

No, this is in Tolworth, near the A3, a terrible location imo! Not the same as Surbiton!

Yes we could afford a small house in Tolworth but no chance I'd live there, especially near the A3, I don't like it at all.

I also dislike the outside, but didn't know if it was just me, that's why I wanted to get opinions, it's good to know what the "market" perception is! I'd love a garden but I also like the internal space of this one

Yeah I know. I could also buy a 6 bed somewhere else even more remote but my life is in London, I would never move to the Midlands personally.

I wish I knew! haha

See I think Surbiton represents the death of the soul. Funny how we’re all different, innit.

Yes it's a great location. I used to live in Teddington and would love to move to Surbiton. But we could only afford a flat and my DP refuses to even entertain the idea of a leasehold 🙄 so I'm out in the sticks Sutton!

I wouldn't buy the second flat because the second bedroom is tiny, it's not worth it for a garden imo if you're so close to Bushy and Richmond etc.

You say you don't know what you want, so let me tell you: location, location, location!

Yeah, fair enough! Why is New Malden much better though?

@TheBeesKnee Yes, location for sure as it's why we'd consider a flat/maisonette here over a house elsewhere. I just don't know whether I'd prefer a smaller/older property with a garden or a bigger/newer place without one. Ideally I would love a garden. My hope is that prices will keep going down over the next few months and we'd be able to get both :D

I was -perhaps clumsily- pointing out that you rather sniffily dismissed a suggestion without having put in your OP that cosmetic appearance was paramount to you. New Malden is no better than Surbiton, but it could represent better value.
If you just want people to agree with you (although you did ask if you were mad to consider paying the asking price in your OP) then perhaps word your question to elicit the answers you want?
But I realise I didn’t actually answer your OP which is - would I buy something like this? My answer would be no , I find newish townhouses to be thinly walled and the lack of garden would be a problem for me.

Yes I like it. It has its compromises, mainly the lack of outside space and currently feels a bit characterless. But the rooms are good sizes and it’s nice and bright plus looks well maintained. Price also seems reasonable for London though I don’t know that specific area.
Every property has compromises, it’s just a case of working out what is most important to you.

The fact it's a maisonette is a no for me, especially combined with the total lack of parking

If you get rubbish downstairs neighbours life can be a living hell as you have no outside escape other than a "patio garden" that has no photos

I'd be concerned re lack of garden, this is less square ft but I'd rather opt for something like this

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134863058#/?channel=RES_BUY

That’s very nice

Having lived in Tolworth, Surbiton and New Malden I like the flat and I didn't have a garden in any of these locations and didn't mind that. As long as you are near a park so your DD has somewhere outside to run around. Where I lived in New Malden was walkable to the Raynes Park underground so was good for getting into London, but Surbiton is a nice town. Good luck OP. You can't really compare London and surrounding area prices to the rest of the country, way too different.

Yes I agree it’s pointless to compare London to other places. I’m sure we all know that London is the most expensive part of the country to live in, nevertheless people have good reasons for choosing to live there.

This one is nice but right near the A3, note all the houses have double glazing, I bet it’s noisy. Unfortunately.

OP I would go for the Victorian leasehold one - assuming the lease length is ok and seems well managed (ask about history of service charges to see if there is regular upkeep and costs are reasonable, is there a sinking fund etc). The garden is a huge plus, so is the garage - you could rent it out if you don’t want to use it.

This is very pretty but really too tiny for a family of 3 I think, doesn't even have proper space for a dining table

Thank you! You mean the maisonette with no garden I posted first?