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Original poster

What would you do in our situation - property dilemma

115 replies

HolyParc · 11/09/2023 12:50

Don’t want to write a never ending post so will just summarise it all in a few bullet points:

  • First time buyers, almost 40yo
  • Jobs in London, currently live in SW London suburbs, renting a flat
  • Want to buy a property, only have 10% deposit and can afford around £500K-£520K max
  • Current area is lovely and fits our lifestyle vey well: great commute, many amenities, pretty, safe, nice schools etc but very £££, can only afford a flat or maisonette
  • We have 1 DC in pre school, not planning more although accidents can happen
  • If we moved further out, we might have a longer commute and less amenities but would be able to buy a house
  • We’d really love a garden and the idea of not having any outside space for the long term is a bit upsetting, however, I don’t know whether I am just being a bit extreme about it?
  • I don’t drive, am used to living somewhere with lots of amenities and be able to walk everywhere
  • House buying timelines would potentially be an issue in terms of school applications as even if we moved, we wouldn’t likely be able to be in the new house on time for school applications, which means we could potentially end in a not so great school or somewhere far from home (which would be an issue given the fact that we both commute and I don’t drive as I said)
  • Salaries will increase but given our age and jobs we are not going to be able to massively increase our mortgage in a few years so unlikely to be able to stay in current area and upgrade later on

I honestly don’t know what to do. I seem to want it all but our budget doesn’t allow us to ☹ Areas outside of London we are considering are Weybridge (very expensive), Walton on Thames (some houses are quite far from the station or the shops), Hersham (not a big fan of the area, seems a bit dull but cheaper).
Guildford is too far and commute too expensive, we considered Epsom but we don’t like it.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
WhalePolo · 13/09/2023 13:26

Claygate/Esher is a fab area - I’d say prettier/better shops than Weybridge!

TedMullins · 13/09/2023 13:27

You can have a pet in a flat. Nobody actually bothers to ask freeholders permission - you’re more likely to run into issues if it’s a shared freehold rather than a leasehold, so if all owners in the building share the freehold and one doesn’t like pets they could kick off. Leasehold with a distant freeholder who never visits the property, no one’s gonna care. I have 2 dogs in a flat and most of my local friends are in flats with pets in SE London.

Speaking of, have you looked at south east? You could definitely get a terrace with a garden in South Norwood for your budget and the train line to Surrey goes through Norwood junction

memote · 13/09/2023 13:28

@HolyParc I'm not sure, maybe transport links?

memote · 13/09/2023 13:28

Or schools?

memote · 13/09/2023 13:30

yes but last year's market was also very different than today's market

But there isn't much for your budget & I don't think that will change.

memote · 13/09/2023 13:37

Speaking of, have you looked at south east? You could definitely get a terrace with a garden in South Norwood for your budget and the train line to Surrey goes through Norwood junction

if the OP doesn't like Esher she will not like South Norwood!!!

Esher is a lovely, expensive area!

SurreyMumOfOne · 13/09/2023 13:42

Even before you said you were in Surbiton, I was going to say DON'T look beyond Surbiton if you don't drive! Once you are outside the tfl bus zone getting about on public transport is a whole different ball game.

I don't think it's fair to say garden flats are "generally" lower ground. Plenty are, but plenty are not.

I think you need to more seriously understand what you can and can't afford in your current area before looking more widely. How many places have you looked at in person (not just on Rightmove)?

MatildaTheCat · 13/09/2023 13:47

I know the areas you are considering very well. Not sure what you have against Claygate/ Esher etc as they are very nice . The affordable houses there will be tiny though.

If you want to stay In Surbiton or Kingston I suggest you look for an upstairs maisonette with a garden (certainly these exist) which has the option of extending into the loft at a future date if you wanted to. You’ll need to make very good friends with many local estate agents to get early viewings.

TedMullins · 13/09/2023 15:32

memote · 13/09/2023 13:37

Speaking of, have you looked at south east? You could definitely get a terrace with a garden in South Norwood for your budget and the train line to Surrey goes through Norwood junction

if the OP doesn't like Esher she will not like South Norwood!!!

Esher is a lovely, expensive area!

Lol, you might have a point. To be fair though if she wants to be in London she might prefer South Norwood. It’s not the most salubrious but I’d choose it over commuter belt suburbs.

memote · 13/09/2023 15:44

@TedMullins I think the op is already in Surbiton

HolaPepper · 13/09/2023 16:36

HolyParc · 13/09/2023 13:20

@memote why would closeness to Berrylands mean they are cheaper? It's a beutiful area and practically in Surbiton, more desirable than NM

memote why would closeness to Berrylands mean they are cheaper? It's a beutiful area and practically in Surbiton, more desirable than NM

Because there is 'New Malden' which has some nice residential roads, near the train station, off the high street and some nice roads between the high street and the A3. Nicer still up Traps lane towards Coombe but that's way off your budget.

Then there is the New Malden which is towards Berrylands, but still New Malden, near Matalan off Kingston road isn't exactly what you'd call highly desirable. (Not knocking it, I've lived there!!)

Berrylands itself is a nice residential area, but is the other side of the Trainline so totally different vibe to the new Malden / Kingston areas the other side of the track.

I'd go for Berrylands if there's anything there you can afford. Catchment area for very good secondary schools and Tiffins if you think you want to go for state grammar.

Once you move further out it'll be impossible to get back due to house prices.

memote · 13/09/2023 17:03

@HolaPepper A friend lives off the high road in a beautiful period home & I had school friends in Coombe which is obviously £££. I was just under the impression the further away from there was cheaper but didn't really no why!

Original poster
HolyParc · 14/09/2023 08:48

@CCTVcity the Britannia Rd one is way too cheap for central Surbiton, I think it's in a very rough street but will check it out, thank you

OP posts:
PropertyNewby · 03/05/2024 17:26

Same here, not sure what the best thing to do would be tbh

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