Help me choose between two rentals

[pinkypeach]

one is a big apartment (2.5k sq ft) with everything brand new. So nice and luxury fittings everywhere. Ton of storage and a large 20x20 ft balcony with amazing views. It’s round the corner from dc school but is in a rural isolated area big supermarket is about 20 mins drive. There is a small basic shop on site though. Our dc 13yo wants to live in this place because there’s a gym and pool but I fear their friends won’t come to visit too often as everyone generally lives in a town that’s not so far but there’s zero public transport and as most of the dc live in one area the meet-ups happen there. Dc could have friends to stay and use facilities though which could be attractive as they’re all currently into gym and swimming. Dc also likes that everything is new and it is very nice inside.

other is a slightly smaller sq ft house (2k sq ft) that’s really old inside. Fixtures and fitting reallllly old including ancient kitchen but it’s in an amazing location closer to dc friends but dc would have to get school bus to school. It backs into a beautiful park so we could go walks everyday we do this anyway but currently have to drive. The views from the property are incredible and I just can’t decide if I want a beautiful luxury flat with gym and pool (which I would also use) or these views and nice walks that id also love.
Usually a house like this wouldn’t come in our budget but because it’s old and everything inside is pretty old its on our radar.

I don’t believe this opportunity will come up again tbh but the flat probably would although the new luxury flats are hard to come by too.
the price difference is also £1k more for the house but we can afford it.
Thanks!

@pinkypeach House I think. Why is it more if it’s smaller? Who pays the management fee for the pool and gym? You? Or the landlord? These items are expensive. Flat sounds a bit isolated. Assume house has a garden? I can see your dilemma and I like modern flats but the location of the house sounds better.

Keep looking ...

@MrsMoastyToasty ?

Go for the cheaper one, it’ll give you 1000 a month more to save to buy your own property, or to pay for Ubers and transport for him to visit his friends and go to school.

Or this. They both sound unsuitable

@MeetMeOnTheCorner thanks yes the flat is a bit isolated but could also see us not leaving it so much due to the facilities onsite. All fees are included.

The house does have a garden and includes gardener but the flat is on several acres of shared maintained grounds too. Meant to say the flat also has tennis courts which dc would use with dh I wouldn’t as can’t play!
finding it hard to choose tbh.

I’m not buying now, I have owned property already but living in this area for dh work and dc will be in school here until 18 now.

Yes. Difficult. What does Dc think? Would friends come round from school? Is it a good space for entertaining? How much do you value your own garden space? Is the balcony enough? Does the flat have all its windows facing south? Summer heat? How cool will it be in summer? What about transport if you aren’t running a car?

Yes I’m not sure about if dc friends will comes they’re at a new school since September so still getting to grips with everything. Most dc
get the school bus in from the town so that’s a pro for the house. But dc thinks they’d come over to use facilities at the flat together.

I don’t care for a garden but it’s nice to have I suppose. The garden isn’t big but as it backs onto a park it’s not really needed. Heating in flat would be easy but house is old so that would be more difficult money isn’t a problem but obviously running heating a lot more isn’t ideal.

Nothing bog-standard and boring but with some of the advantages of both?

Are you in Narnia or something? So it's either the ice castle or the magic wardrobe? 😂

I was going to say the house until I saw it was £1k extra per month!
I think I’d take the flat seeing as you all like it and save the money.

I think the flat sounds nice. If your daughter spends time with friends they can travel home from school together so it's only one lift needed to return a friend home or pick your daughter up.

I would check it is OK for your daughter to have guests at the gym/pool without restriction. I wouldn't expect friends of residents to have unlimited use for free. Won't they need to pay for a guest pass?

Reasons I'd go for the flat are nice comfortable living environment mostly but it's also nice it's near the school.

A run down house I would also worry the landlord is hard up/ not committed and might sell up in future.

@pinkypeachDo you not eat outside in the summer? In your own space? I don’t eat supper in the park.

I think it’s a valid point about house maintenance. Is the house just a bit aged, but well maintained? I guess if the house and garden aren’t worth the £1000 extra, either negotiate or go for the flat. I’m not sure teens going in the pool unsupervised would be allowed either. I’d check the rules and the lease.