House or flat | Mumsnet

Maria02 · 2025-08-26T16:21:16+00:00

Hi everyone.i am new to this website,sorry if i am posting this on the wrong place.i am a single mom with 8 years old son.i am owning a mortgage free 3 bedroom house. The house is small and it is not in a nice area.itwas a few days ago,my child came home and said he has been offered a cigarette from some children down the road.so I am thinking to sell the house and move to the nicer area.i just viewed the nice flat in a really good location. But that is a flat not house.because of the location it’s more pricy too. I can only efford to buy that flat not more than that.but I really can’t decide what to do.i need your advice and thoughts please. Am i doing a right thing to sell my house and move to the flat?as I said the flat is bigger than my house and very good location,in a posh area. I can’t efford to buy house there

Bluevelvetsofa · 26/08/2025 17:33

Flats are usually leasehold, or possibly, share of freehold sometimes. What’s the management fee for the flat and are there any other monthly expenses?

If the house is freehold, I’d go for the house. Is there a house in a different area that’s better than where you are, but not as expensive as the better location?

IAmComfortablyNumbed · 26/08/2025 17:34

Children smoke in nice areas too, and plenty of well to do people do drugs and drink too! As long as your son is able to say no, and not feel bullied into things, I’d not immediately jump to moving tbh.
I’d never choose a flat over a house, purely because of the potential for multiple properties (above, below, and either side) causing noise issues. I also value outside space, and not having to share an entrance with people, but obviously I don’t know what your area is actually like.
Im not sure it’s a decision people can advise you on without knowing the general locations and/or the issues particular to your current area.

Original poster

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 17:38

Bluevelvetsofa · 26/08/2025 17:33

Flats are usually leasehold, or possibly, share of freehold sometimes. What’s the management fee for the flat and are there any other monthly expenses?

If the house is freehold, I’d go for the house. Is there a house in a different area that’s better than where you are, but not as expensive as the better location?

So there is a £150 for service charge.the building is more likely for older people. It’s very quite area. So I am sure we don’t have a noise problem.the flat is in Solihull.i couldn’t find a nice house in any other place.

OP posts:

Original poster

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 17:43

IAmComfortablyNumbed · 26/08/2025 17:34

Children smoke in nice areas too, and plenty of well to do people do drugs and drink too! As long as your son is able to say no, and not feel bullied into things, I’d not immediately jump to moving tbh.
I’d never choose a flat over a house, purely because of the potential for multiple properties (above, below, and either side) causing noise issues. I also value outside space, and not having to share an entrance with people, but obviously I don’t know what your area is actually like.
Im not sure it’s a decision people can advise you on without knowing the general locations and/or the issues particular to your current area.

The area which the flat located in is a very posh area.i have been there before few times.its in heart of Solihull.i didn’t see any feral children there.the neighbours which i saw are older people which are very nice.but yes. It’s leasehold and there is a service charge too.

OP posts:

MH0084 · 26/08/2025 18:15

I grew up in a flat and my kids mostly grew up in flats until now. Their dad also lives in a flat, so they spend half of the time in a flat. And that’s is precisely because we choose location over space so DC can grow up in a nicer area and go to better schools.
The idea that you need a house to raise kids is absolutely nonsense. That said, it’s is correct that kids in nicer areas also smoke and drink. Perhaps it’s more hidden from parents.
Only you can decide where’s best to raise your kids.
I would assume the school would also be a nicer area?

LittlleMy · 26/08/2025 18:25

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 17:38

So there is a £150 for service charge.the building is more likely for older people. It’s very quite area. So I am sure we don’t have a noise problem.the flat is in Solihull.i couldn’t find a nice house in any other place.

Show quote history

My experience of living in a very desirable area in a block of flats is that it’s not guaranteed a problem free residence. An older population doesn’t guarantee better neighbours as I found out. So I had an elderly lady below me who would from late afternoon on have her telly full volume blast. It took many many months of me writing her letters (she never opened her door) pleading with her to please turn it down especially as it was a struggle to sleep. I didn’t have anyone above me or thankfully to the side of me or I imagine my experience many have been worse.

Also, once I parked my car in a spot where it wasn’t blocking anyone in or unsafe etc as there were no parking spots and someone had left a horrible note and dumped some soil or something over my car. I remember my sister t forwarding the photo of poor car to her husband saying ‘- and that’s the nice bit of Wolverhampton’ 😅.

I also found it a very odd feeling not being able to just have a front door that opens directly onto either my drive or a private garden. Even though in the lounge I had floor to ceiling windows with stunning woodland view, you do crave just the feel of a house - it’s hard to explain even though the views from my flat and actual room space were bigger than the home I had owned.

Also, my flats didn’t have a lift and even though it was only 3 floors, I once injured my foot and it took forever to get up and down. Delivery men including online grocery deliveries often wouldn’t go up the steps for health and safety so my single 5’nothng ass was regularly struggling with this. It’s also more challenging to own pets if that’s something you or your son might want in the future.

Anyway just some food for thought of things I remembered from the only time I ever rented a flat in an affluent area. Hope it helps you make your own decision.

Original poster

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 18:44

LittlleMy · 26/08/2025 18:25

My experience of living in a very desirable area in a block of flats is that it’s not guaranteed a problem free residence. An older population doesn’t guarantee better neighbours as I found out. So I had an elderly lady below me who would from late afternoon on have her telly full volume blast. It took many many months of me writing her letters (she never opened her door) pleading with her to please turn it down especially as it was a struggle to sleep. I didn’t have anyone above me or thankfully to the side of me or I imagine my experience many have been worse.

Also, once I parked my car in a spot where it wasn’t blocking anyone in or unsafe etc as there were no parking spots and someone had left a horrible note and dumped some soil or something over my car. I remember my sister t forwarding the photo of poor car to her husband saying ‘- and that’s the nice bit of Wolverhampton’ 😅.

I also found it a very odd feeling not being able to just have a front door that opens directly onto either my drive or a private garden. Even though in the lounge I had floor to ceiling windows with stunning woodland view, you do crave just the feel of a house - it’s hard to explain even though the views from my flat and actual room space were bigger than the home I had owned.

Also, my flats didn’t have a lift and even though it was only 3 floors, I once injured my foot and it took forever to get up and down. Delivery men including online grocery deliveries often wouldn’t go up the steps for health and safety so my single 5’nothng ass was regularly struggling with this. It’s also more challenging to own pets if that’s something you or your son might want in the future.

Anyway just some food for thought of things I remembered from the only time I ever rented a flat in an affluent area. Hope it helps you make your own decision.

Show quote history

I am sorry for your experience. I have been in Wolverhampton too. But I would never go to the blocks.the flat I am talking about located in Solihull b91. So we can’t compare Solihull with Wolverhampton. This is a private property with all the facilities like lift,2 parking spaces. I am sure I would not have problems with neighbours as I met some of them and a positive side is my child is not a garden child. He just prefers to play at the park. He never uses our garden as he scares of bees and spiders 😁
but as you said flats can have different problems too. I just think we find a perfect property unless we have a huge money.

OP posts:

Original poster

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 18:44

LittlleMy · 26/08/2025 18:25

My experience of living in a very desirable area in a block of flats is that it’s not guaranteed a problem free residence. An older population doesn’t guarantee better neighbours as I found out. So I had an elderly lady below me who would from late afternoon on have her telly full volume blast. It took many many months of me writing her letters (she never opened her door) pleading with her to please turn it down especially as it was a struggle to sleep. I didn’t have anyone above me or thankfully to the side of me or I imagine my experience many have been worse.

Also, once I parked my car in a spot where it wasn’t blocking anyone in or unsafe etc as there were no parking spots and someone had left a horrible note and dumped some soil or something over my car. I remember my sister t forwarding the photo of poor car to her husband saying ‘- and that’s the nice bit of Wolverhampton’ 😅.

I also found it a very odd feeling not being able to just have a front door that opens directly onto either my drive or a private garden. Even though in the lounge I had floor to ceiling windows with stunning woodland view, you do crave just the feel of a house - it’s hard to explain even though the views from my flat and actual room space were bigger than the home I had owned.

Also, my flats didn’t have a lift and even though it was only 3 floors, I once injured my foot and it took forever to get up and down. Delivery men including online grocery deliveries often wouldn’t go up the steps for health and safety so my single 5’nothng ass was regularly struggling with this. It’s also more challenging to own pets if that’s something you or your son might want in the future.

Anyway just some food for thought of things I remembered from the only time I ever rented a flat in an affluent area. Hope it helps you make your own decision.

Show quote history

I am sorry for your experience. I have been in Wolverhampton too. But I would never go to the blocks.the flat I am talking about located in Solihull b91. So we can’t compare Solihull with Wolverhampton. This is a private property with all the facilities like lift,2 parking spaces. I am sure I would not have problems with neighbours as I met some of them and a positive side is my child is not a garden child. He just prefers to play at the park. He never uses our garden as he scares of bees and spiders 😁
but as you said flats can have different problems too. I just think we find a perfect property unless we have a huge money.

OP posts:

Original poster

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 18:47

MH0084 · 26/08/2025 18:15

I grew up in a flat and my kids mostly grew up in flats until now. Their dad also lives in a flat, so they spend half of the time in a flat. And that’s is precisely because we choose location over space so DC can grow up in a nicer area and go to better schools.
The idea that you need a house to raise kids is absolutely nonsense. That said, it’s is correct that kids in nicer areas also smoke and drink. Perhaps it’s more hidden from parents.
Only you can decide where’s best to raise your kids.
I would assume the school would also be a nicer area?

Same as me. I grew up in flat too.the lucky thing is my child is not a garden person and he doesn’t like at all to play in the garden. He just likes to play at the park. My concerns are only about to moving from house to flat.i have no idea if I am making a right decision. But looks like there is not a yes or no answer for this question

OP posts:

Original poster

Maria02 · 26/08/2025 18:47

MH0084 · 26/08/2025 18:15

I grew up in a flat and my kids mostly grew up in flats until now. Their dad also lives in a flat, so they spend half of the time in a flat. And that’s is precisely because we choose location over space so DC can grow up in a nicer area and go to better schools.
The idea that you need a house to raise kids is absolutely nonsense. That said, it’s is correct that kids in nicer areas also smoke and drink. Perhaps it’s more hidden from parents.
Only you can decide where’s best to raise your kids.
I would assume the school would also be a nicer area?

Same as me. I grew up in flat too.the lucky thing is my child is not a garden person and he doesn’t like at all to play in the garden. He just likes to play at the park. My concerns are only about to moving from house to flat.i have no idea if I am making a right decision. But looks like there is not a yes or no answer for this question

OP posts: