Would you buy an apartment like this?

[AfterTheRainComesSun]

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139523396#/?channel=RES_BUY

Nice residential area in SW London-Surrey border.
This budget would get us a small house further out or a nicer and more spacious apartment around here.
Would you consider this type of property if you were a buyer?
(I dislike the kitchen but that could be changed eventually)

@AfterTheRainComesSun

I wouldn't, because I'd only consider an apartment in a buzzing area, for me it's the worst of all worlds, not somewhere beautiful & buzzing with life or private house with a garden. There nowhere private outside for small DC to play or me to have a coffee.

there's nothing about it that is 'enough' to get over no private outdoor space (even a balcony) & not a buzzing area. After lugging the toddler & pram downstairs I'd want cafes/shops/todder activities etc on my door step.

but that me, not you, how do YOU feel about it?

@AfterTheRainComesSun

sorry it was in a slightly different spot than I thought. I'd need to spend a bit of time in the area seeing if it was an area I liked or not.

I think it is lovely and lots of light there also. If you find a place that you like and not sure about kitchen etc you can easily just paint tiles or change door handles on cupboards etc to make them look more modern. For now do what is the best for your lifestyle and commute so you have less stress in your lives. Shocking how expensive housing is now everywhere. It would be nice to find an area that you would be able to stay in long term once your child start school so you do not have to keep moving. As others said though the yearly fees can be quite expensive and seems outrageous what some charge. Good luck with house/apartment hunting.

not with kids or the possibility of more kids. buggy storage and groceries up multiple flights of stairs. although a corner unit with several windows the lack of a balcony or a/c would be a worry.
the management company should provide info on the funds on hold and what type of building works may soon be necessary as well as if there is a board of sorts whereby the tenants meet.

I don't think this is a suitable property for someone with your DC.

It's perfect for someone with an older DC or who wants to use the second room as a guest bedroom.

It's particularly suited for an individual or a couple who travel. A similar property near where I lived had a couple of pilots living there - it was part way between Gatwick and Heathrow so perfect for airline staff who were often away.

YOUNG DC!!! Not Your DC - I'm sure your DC are perfectly nice....lol.

It's a nice enough flat - well laid out, big rooms, nice communal gardens. The lack of balcony is a shame. We have a private balcony and it makes all the difference - ours is large enough to grow herbs and tomatoes etc..., put out a clothes airer and sit outside on summer evenings.

The actual style of the building does not appeal to me - a bit eighties. I mean that faux Georgian front entrance is a bit naff.

I also wouldn't fancy Surbition myself, are you stuck on that area as that price could get you a little house in areas of SE and E London as far out as Surbiton.

Looks lovely but my prior experience with service charges/ maintenance charges, land charges, being leasehold ie not full ownership and having charges literally dictated to you and out of your control is not pleasant or settling when you're spending that kind of money on a flat.

My DB lived on a beautiful apartment. It has put me off as he had to pay thousands for new bespoke wooden windows that weren't maintained and other roof issues. He is glad to have sold the property now.

I always find that an odd stance - if course if you own somewhere you have to pay to maintain it. Why would a flat be any different? There are statutory obligations on consultations on costs and lessees have the right to suggest alternative options.

Of course the issue is unlike owning a freehold property you are often working to someone else's timetable. If that is important to you one option is buying a place that is share of freehold and getting involved as a director.

Of course properties should be maintained but wooden windows should be painted often and then wouldn't need to be replaced. This work was not carried out. Also roof repairs early can stop other significant issues.

It's a lovely looking apartment but having lived in apartments myself I wouldn't again. I do understand that you'd have to pay to maintain a house but apartment management companies don't necessarily have the knowledge required to make big decisions about roof repairs, windows etc so you can end up paying more than needed. Also communal halls, other people's cooking smells, petty rules and regulations. I'd go for the house a little further out any day.

I really wouldn't buy a leasehold if you can afford a freehold. Leaseholds can be a nightmare, with high service charges, and/or badly managed, and believe me it can be just as bad even if it's 'share of freehold'.

I moved out of London to where I could afford a house after years and years of problems with flat after flat after flat...

@AfterTheRainComesSun we live nearby to where this flat is located, in a top floor flat and have one DD.
The area where this flat is located is nice and we would consider in the future moving to this development. The only thing that would put me off is if it is a leasehold flat instead of share of freehold. there are flats closer to Surbiton station with a share of the freehold.
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/65103229/?search_identifier=d21a1224c54e86a5d96dcd0dbfed3179d160bd3035b6a7ec0497888f25b0d84a

Ooh I like that much more - but I like mid century flats. Too much pine however and not boxing in the boiler pipes is pretty lazy.

I disagree. I think a large communal residents’ only space would be much better than a postage sized garden for children to run around in and explore. On a budget, a flat provides much more space and a “feeling “ of airiness being all on one level.
i personally would probably look to stretching to a 3 bedder even if the third bedroom is small, just so you have somewhere to stash Christmas decorations/laundry etc. It’s a buyers’ market at the moment so you could get a real bargain

It’s a nice area but in this climate I wouldn’t pay that for a flat without some private outdoor space.
I bet the value has barely changed in 5 yrs so that would be a no for me because eventually I would want a house & it’s likely houses would get further out of reach.
A garden is invaluable once dc are a little older imo.

Thanks all for all your answers. The more I think about it the more I think we’d like to get a house instead. I agree the asking price is very high but we wouldn’t offer that much, you never know in the current market.

One thing that always make me smile though is when people from the UK (I am not from here) say that apartments are completely unsuitable to family life with DC. The majority of families in the world live in flats and it is certainly the norm in most EU countries, where apartment city living is the standard to aspire to, rather than moving to more rural locations (whereas I know in the UK is the opposite).

I’m a 2nd gen immigrant & think apartment living certainly in Europe is very different to the UK so I don’t think you can compare the two.

I also don’t think the only options are nice expensive apartment or rural house. You could find a house for that in plenty of areas in zones 4 & 5.

Edited as I've confused you with someone else.

I think you would be better with a small house but I lived in a large flat pre children and loved it.

I think it's lovely BUT I'd probably go for a house a tiny bit further out. Walton-on-Thames, Shepperton, Hersham...not far from there but more for your money.

@AfterTheRainComesSun very lovely flat in a nice area - I actually really like the kitchen - and the flat is nice and spacious (ish) and like you I value area and lifestyle over house size - it also looks in mint condition. I also find if you have a little one it's very handy having rooms on the same floor - you can let them play in their room but still keep on an eye on them- I'm not personally obsessed with it 'has to be a house' - I've lived in both and enjoyed the very good flats too and would much rather a great flat in a good area than a slightly grim house often needing work in a not great area

I would say if you can get something similar with a balcony or patio- it makes a difference.

@StardustGiraffe I don't know Shepperton, is it nice?