Flat in Yeovil

[bluebellsInWinter]

A friend has seen this flat, what do people think of it that know the area please?

I'm not based nearby and he asked for an opinion but it's hard to judge the location and area.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145711805

Blatantly bumping in case anyone who knows the area sees this!

It's central and also handy if he commutes/travels anywhere else regularly, as near the major roads. It's mixed retail/office/residential, so not primarily a residential area, but he may not care as I assume he is single, so not bothered about amenities for families?

It depends what he is looking for, really. Personally, I find Yeovil soulless and (assuming he doesn't want quaint and over-priced e.g. Sherborne), I'd go for Crewkerne/Chard/Bradford Abbas in preference but, if he works in central Yeovil, I can see the sense in this location.

@FancyAFlapjack thanks so much, he does work in Yeovil so I think that's the appeal but he's new to the area (started his job last week!).

He is single and on the map I can see a nearby Tesco and shops so I think that's part of the appeal. Also, it looks nicer than a lot of others around that price range!

He'll be a first time buyer so hopefully it's a good option.

Is this an advert for your flat?

It's not great. The corner of Tescos attracts some quite vulnerable people. The immediate area surrounding that flat is quite down at heal, even for Yeovil. There really are better areas. The North-Western side has some good patches.

On the other hand, that flat is convenient for walking into town- if only there was anything there to walk to!

I wouldn't live there if you paid me. Yeovil is properly rough.

Is it hell. It's totally fine and really convenient as a base to travel to cities - Bristol, Exeter, bath etc.

I would however not go for these flats and look more for the new estates or a bit further from the town centre.

Compared to where? Martock? Maybe. Plymouth? Not so much.

@heatherwithapee no it's not! I name change but mumsnet HQ can see my very long term posts, a good few of which show I live in a completely different county!

I am actually just trying to help my friend out who took a job somewhat randomly in Yeovil.

@WASZPy that's good advice, thank you. I think he likes it because he can walk to work and the shops but I'll pass on the info.

That lease isn't very long. Will definitely affect resale value.

The lease is an issue, I agree.

Lease length is fine at 110 years left. Price actually looks quite cheap versus recent activity seen on houseprices.io (BA20 1DU). Service charge looks cheap too. Are they building up enough of a maintenance fund at that level?

But Yeovil hasn't got the best reputation. Features on Turdtowns - Somerset (YT). That's not the final word but gives a taste.

Lease length is NOT fine. It's a problem, especially if renewing it is going to be extremely expensive. It will put off eventual buyers.

He could do better and shouldn't rush into it

Yeovil is not as completely awful as people say. However, you have to know it like the back of your hand to get a decent area as it is literally road by road ok and bad.

For someone moving to Yeovil fresh, I'd recommend renting for 6 months to get the lay of the land.

Is your friend's job at Leonardo? (I'm struggling to think of any other employers you'd move to the area for). If so, Preston Road and streets south (not north) would be worth a look.

This flat is in a better spot, even though it's not far from the other one:

This is in a nicer corner of town:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142050902#/?channel=RES_BUY

Gosh that takes me back to my dirt poor rather all over the place Yeovil years. God definitely don't buy there it really was one of the worst bits of Yeovil and doesn't sound like its changed. I think he should rent then save for somewhere in a safer area.

I agree with renting for 6 months - and not just because it's Yeovil 😉

He might not like the job. He might decide he wants to live out of the town centre, or in a smaller town/village.

I’ve been in this block when looking at corporate rentals for work, and they are quite nice inside. Bit of a rough area though

Thanks so much everyone. Really appreciate everyone's comments and am letting him know.

He still seems quite keen!