Focus on location or property?

[natura]

I'm currently renting in a town I absolutely adore, and my tenancy runs out in 4 months so I'm actively looking for a place to buy.

Right now I'm riverside, right next to some incredible walks and nature, which is really important to me, and I love my neighbours.

There's a flat in this street that's potentially coming on the market soon. It's ex-council and not my preferred style, but it's in the location I love.

On the other hand, there are also places coming up that are much more 'me' in the next village, a 15 minute drive away. They're not right 'in the green' like I am here, so walking out of my house into an environment I Iove won't be possible, but they're much more my style and around the same price.

What's more important – a property that looks and feels right, or a location that brings you joy?

(I'm aware that a 15-minute drive is virtually nothing, but it feels a long way when I'm currently right in the thick of everything I love!)

For you, location. You really love it. Likely enough to put up with the boxy flat and not care, because the location is perfect.

@Isanyonereallyanonymous and @flipent , I'm in a bit of an unusual situation in that I'm renting my current flat while the (fairly new) owner is away working abroad.

Once she returns, I need to find somewhere else, so there's no negotiating on staying here longer.

Luckily I'm in Scotland, where I've been told many times that things tend to move fairly quickly, and since I have no chain at my end, with a bit of luck it won't be too tight.

But it feels like a bit of a game of 'chicken' now - how long can I wait and watch before I just need to do something?! 😬

I also live in a rental on a river and it brings me MUCH joy, however, the house itself is crap and I was already looking for a house to buy come month 3.

Nature soothes my frequent anger at the house's many shortcomings, but it certainly doesn't override the house not being what I need it to be.

Go with the house that you think more suits you and visit the river locations instead. Unless you really want a flat for some reason? I've been looking at them in my area, they're universally tanking in price, so they're pretty much all a resale liability these days. We're not in a city mind you.

Plus, being a forest guide, you can get out in nature as often as you like as well. So you'll always be able to get that 'fix.'

If you're still considering the flat, look into subsidence and river erosion in the area, start talking to some locals who know the history, before you fall in love with the idea. They're all slowly slipping into the river where I live. Cash buyers only, apparently.

This is the endless dilemma for lots of people, including me. I am always very very drawn to the property itself, but I try hard to prioritise the location because most people say it’s important and they are probably right. In your case though the difference might be too extreme so I would be leaning towards house. Flat that isn’t really your style versus house that is, that’s a big difference.

Leaving the potential new flat out of it for a moment, if someone magically offered you the chance to wake up on Monday all moved into one of the houses instead of where you are now, how would it feel? Would you be pleased or would you be wanting to get back to your flat right up till the last day the owner can spare it?

Presuming you're in the UK, go with Kirsty and Phil 'Location, location, location'!

Location! BUT... undoubtedly an ex LA flat is unlikely to appreciate at the same rate as a pretty house.

Location. I'd hate to be in a flat though. The ability to walk out the back door in your jimjams is priceless. Nurturing a garden, again, wonderful.

maybe it's not the flat or the village next door. SEe if your tenancy can be renewed on a rolling contract and watch to see if something comes up i nth location you love. Not that simple with a flat versus a house, but the location sounds like it's the right thing to focus on.. the house will come... maybe don't rush it. Work out if you can rent a bit longer and see what comes up. visit estate agents in your area and see what's available.

Generally, location, as you can change the house to suit you. However, as it’s a flat you’re talking about, then I think I’d go for the house. It sounds more suited to you and having a garden would be so much better than living close to a river (for me anyway). It’s not like you can’t visit, although not as often as you do now.

They say this for a reason.

Location. Location. Location.

I think this is one of the trickiest This or That choices I've considered on MN.

Normally I go along with the Location wisdom, but having gone for the dream property over an ideal location, and still here 20 years later, I'm so glad we chose the dream property and actually, the location became the dream location too. Can't think of anywhere we'd rather live.

I don't think the property has to look ideal from the outside because you spend your time living inside, not looking at it, but the inside needs not to be a place you want to escape from.

In this case, sounds like the flat isn't actually up for sale, and might not even be for sale. Surely you need to determine that before worrying yourself over choices.

Also, when considering buying a flat, do look out for maintenance charges, possible ground rent and service charges and your responsibilities for the block as a whole. That won't work to your own timetable like a freehold house does.

I wouldn’t buy the flat. Look for a house where you are now. I’d have a house over a flat any day of the week, but there must be some houses in your favourite location.

I'm currently renting in a town I absolutely adore ... Right now I'm riverside, right next to some incredible walks and nature, which is really important to me, and I love my neighbours.
It's great that you love the town, neighbours, etc but is the riverside location a flood risk?

Location but the property has to be right too. The flat isn't even on the market, anyway. Consider your deal breakers; do you want a garden or some outside space for example. Some things can be changed and others can't.

I don't know Scottish housing law but in England it's a long process for a landlord to end a tenancy, and just because the fixed term ends doesn't mean the tenancy ends - it becomes periodic.

Location. "Having to drive" is no freedom IMO.

We live in a wonderful location in an ugly house (ugly on the outside). Everyone we know in the area is passionate about where we live and we are all in ugly on the outside houses.

I think the big question here is more house vs flat.
Once you have decided which kind of property you want, location comes in.

I used to live in a tiny flat by the sea, literally 30 seconds to the beach, 5 minute walk into town and a 20minute walk to work. The location was amazing. But I had no storage, and I hate clutter. The lack of space was a real problem for me. I had no garden, and I couldn’t have a cat or dog. These things were serious disadvantages to me.

I bought a small house a 15 minute drive from my seaside town and have never looked back. The sea was nice to have on my doorstep, but the space, garden and pets were more important to my daily life and wellbeing. And the sea still just down the road.

So to me the first question is: can you be happy in a flat?

@Snickersnack1 as the OP is currently living in a flat (in her desired location) I'd think she's sorted that question already, although, as I said up above, she needs to fully consider the ownership aspects of maintenance and charges that a tenant doesn't have to deal with, so there is that.

Fair enough, I missed that detail in her reply.

Location. But if there is any flood risk then rent - don't buy.

The joys of house/flat hunting hey.
Nothing is ever perfect. Only you can decide what you will compromise on.
Sleep on it
Take your time
Trust your gut