Have I irrationally fallen in love with this property?

[LindorDoubleChoc]

If I were free to move, I would view this house tomorrow. Bearing in mind

1. I'd be happy to move to Beckenham
2. I like a modern house, I will never live in another Victorian terrace
3. We want to downsize
4. We would have money to spend on certain improvements

I'm feeling a bit frustrated that we can't go for it, so please point out the downsides so I don't feel so bad!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165020723#/media?activePlan=1&id=media0&ref=floorPlanPage&channel=RES_BUY

😆 I didn’t stalk… I was on the thread.
Wow that move was quick!

I like it. For the money in that area. Kids would have fun with that ‘viewing gallery’!

We should have a copy and paste section for anyone discussing housing. ‘If you have x to spend and have to have a house with x criteria and have to to live in x area what do you think of this option?’

I like it! With the right mid-century decor and furnishings, it could look fabulous.

And strictly no…. If you lived up north you could buy a mansion with that budget!! 😆

What's your deal @modernsoul? OP asked people to put her off and you're in here all over the replies acting as defender of the ugly house (and the SE housing market 🙄) who cares?
The house is objectively expensive for something so hideously ugly. The fact that the rest of the SE is horrendously overpriced, doesn't mean that it's not expensive. Why argue so doggedly against other people's perspective...particularly when it's the reason OP started the thread?

OP i'll echo all the issues as everyone else, ugly outside, flat roof, service charge, weird inside, heating issues, and to top it off it's in SE England.

...but if you really love it, then fingers crossed that all those things put everyone else of so that it's still available when your house is ready to go on the market 😁

Have a coffee and some fresh air

it is just so daft when people plough in with “gosh my similar house in the NE cost a fraction of that!”

if we wanted to live in NE, we would. We don’t.

The house is objectively expensive for something so hideously ugly.

”objectively” 😆

I think you're the one who needs to have a coffee and some fresh air @Modernsoul. You've clearly taken this thread to heart and are taking it very personally when people are critical. It's not that serious, it's what OP asked for and from their perspective, it's too much money for what it is. Who cares about the intricacies of regional markets, this is Mumsnet, and just a daft thread looking for negatives on a house. It's not of any real consequence. Relax.

I also have no idea why you keep on going on and on about people in the SE not wanting to live in the North East. It's coming across as sneery (in my eyes)... I'm in the beautiful SW and I'd pick literally anywhere in the North (or anywhere in Scotland or Wales) before moving to the SE.

And yes it is expensive. That fact doesn't magically disappear, just because the rest of the SE is horribly overpriced.

@MiGatoEsBonito And yes it is expensive

so do you think it’s expensive?
or overpriced?

I was thinking of Delawyck Crescent or Pymers Mead, which aren’t…

Come to the NW then. This stunning house (and it's on a gorgeous road, nice area) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/168789896#/?channel=RES_BUY Close to some decent schools including Birkenhead School.

Northerners genuinely can't comprehend why anyone would even contemplate living in the South and paying £700k for something so, well, grim?

You’re missing a trick- we’re all ream up here! 😜

Hey OP. Probably not that helpful, but we traded from a Victorian end of terrace to a mid-century house in Beckenham and are generally quite pleased with the move. The houses are definitely quite severe from the outside, but inside you have large floor plans and a wealth of 60s and 70s period features: original parquet, joinery etc. The service charges are voted on by freeholders (who often aren't in favour of large lifts), so from a future perspective, I wouldn't let that totally dissuade me. Something negative for your list: Beckenham's restaurants, bars and pubs are a bit meh if you are a Londoner. There isn't a food scene here per se and I find the offerings a bit 90s and dull (think plastic foliage displays and american pancakes for £16 a plate). Luckily we can get into central London in 30 minutes, so can eat, drink, culture and shop there.

The house whilst a modern style is probably at least 50 years old, as others have said, could find better for that budget. Actually the design whilst not my ideal seems bright and airy. The huge downside to me, is that it's on an estate of identikit properties.

Lovely, lovely house, but in Birkenhead. A bit far for the London commute ?

Move up North. For £700,000 you could buy a much nicer house and have at least £500,000 left in the bank.
Mind you, everyone's dream is different so if that is what you want, then go for it.

For that money, I wouldn't go for a terrace.
Don't like the open stairs, and the 'hole' in the lounge ceiling - think of the loss of heat and noise travelling. Structurally, I'd take an older property over a modern one. Also, for 4 bedrooms, I'd expect a better garden.

Yep, but then the op would be up north
and I’m guessing she doesn’t want to be

I sure as heck don’t want to be 🤷‍♀️

You aren’t going to get a detached four bedroom house with a large garden in that area for under £2m 🤣

Sorry, Not a downside, but I bet there is an original 5 finger parquet under those carpets. It could be amazing, I love it

We are "southerners ". Best thing we ever did was to move up north. It won't suit everyone and there are people we know who have moved south and say exactly the same as us - the best thing they ever did. Thank goodness we aren't all the same

Each to their own.
(And Scotland was best move ever for me. I am not living south of the border again...)