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Property/DIY

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Original poster

are you happy in a 2 bed flat? (family of 4/more)

12 replies

vannah · 04/02/2009 13:52

hi, trying to get some perspective here. We have an offer on our 2 bed first floor flat finally, and are now presented with the option of either

a* moving out of area we currently live in and love (crouch end) to a quieter more affordable area (finchley ) in order to finally have a house and be near a good school.
b*staying here in crouch end and making do with an ok school and upgrading to a ground floor 2bed garden flat.

we have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old,and are currently v squashed as my DH uses the 2nd bedroom for work.

he could build a studio in a garden flat so we wouldnt be that squashed anymore, but i wonder are you always squashed in a flat, and if it impacts relationships.
Ive spoken to 1 person who said they all felt happier once in a house with space,

thankyou for any advice..

OP posts:

notnowbernard · 04/02/2009 13:57

I'm in a 2bed garden flat with 2 dc

TBH, I'd love another room. Whether that be a dining room, or a bedroom, or a conservatory... we are lacking in space. It's not dire, it's a lovely flat, but it is small. (Glad we've got the small garden though)

We are happy... but I'd move. Finchley's alright though, isn't it?

Mammina · 04/02/2009 14:12

We're in a 2 bed (no garden) with one DC, and one on the way. We're moving out of London to get a house with a garden. Personally I can't wait to have more space and a garden. Crouch End is lovely but v. expensive. Don't really know Finchley very well TBH but if the schools are good then I'd make the move

SydneyB · 04/02/2009 14:20

Am in similar situation. In 2 bed flat with no garden with DD, 2.3 and DS, 4 months. Would love to stay where we are now but we could only just about to afford to upgrade to a maisonette with a garden and I think the thing is that you have to choose somewhere where you are happy for a good few years when it comes to thinking about schools. I don't want to move DD once she's settled somewhere and so that means facing up to the fact that we will need a 3 bedder with garden within the next 5 yrs or so and so we might as well move there now. Also moving costs and don't want to do it twice if don't have to. In the end I think we are going to have to choose location with better schools, further out for practical rather than emotional reasons. Will be sad to leave here but can't really see we have a choice.

sorrento · 04/02/2009 16:25

You will fill whatever space you move to and a garden is over rated if you have out door space.

Original poster

vannah · 04/02/2009 16:41

thanks for your thoughts, reading with interest...very true that we will fill whatever space

OP posts:

Dropdeadfred · 04/02/2009 16:46

does your dh really need to se the 2nd bedroom as an office? could you (with the help of some clever storage and furniture) make a corner of the lounge his 'office space'? I can't see how you will manage when the children are older...(I do appreciate you are thinking of moving)

Wonderstuff · 04/02/2009 17:04

We are in a 1 bed with a toddler, and I did recently visit a friend who had a 4 bed with a garden and it was easier and more practicle in her house. You didn't have to move the highchair to get to the fridge/washing machine like in our kitchen. We could all sit at the table (no room for such luxuries in our flat) it was summer and we even ate outside. It was easier to keep there living room nice as the toys could live in dc bedroom. They could have people to stay without any bother

I guess you need to think about what you need space for, it is true that you fill whatever space, but in my next house I want room for a table that 4 people can comfortably sit round a garden big enough for a table and chairs and a washing line and second bedroom big enough for dd's toys, clothes and bed.

I agree that if you are thinking about schools then you need to be happy for a while. I love our nursery and so want to stay in our neighbourhood, but plan to move again later as schools here are less good.

Relationships? I think that if you are on top of each other it can cause some stress, it depends on personality really. I think to some extent if you are compromising on space you have to accept its limitations, you can't hoard stuff/work at home as much/have masses of clothes. You have to weigh up what is important.

I want someone to come and say - this is the right house, you will like the neighbours, the schools are perfect, you will be able to afford it, it's an easy commute to work, there will be enough space, you won't have to spend a fortune putting right all the stuff the last family bodged, you will all be happy here... I would buy that house

ruty · 04/02/2009 17:11

we are 4 [4 years and 9 months children] and are selling our 2 bed flat [no garden] and buying a small 3 bed house plus garden. thing is the house feels quite cramped, all the rooms are smaller, so we are sacrificing living space for garden and 3rd bedroom [and no service charge at last] I love our flat but don't really like sleeping on ground floor with the children. Hope we're doing the right thing...

staryeyed · 04/02/2009 17:22

We are 3 soon to be 4 in a two bed with garden. I dont know how it will work when our new bub comes but we will have to make it because we dont have an option. Our flat is a good size with loads of storage and I think that really makes a difference as does having a garden.

Original poster

vannah · 04/02/2009 21:46

thanks again all, really helpful to read all of this. wonderstuff you have echoed my thoughts exactly and your list of 'wants' is exactly the same as mine! I would also like someone to come along and tell me about the right house etc because my brain feels like its packed up...

OP posts:

beansprout · 04/02/2009 21:49

We are 4 in a 2 bed flat with a small garden. I think that space is like money - it would always be good to have some more. We have been trying to move and have not been able to (schools are not good here either) so we are stuck for now. Storage makes a huge difference and I also remind myself that a house would be a lot more expensive to run.

I also remind myself that a lot of people live in far, far worse conditions!!

Wispabarsareback · 04/02/2009 22:02

The four of us are in a two-bed flat - it's on the ground floor, with a garden. We are pretty cramped, as we could do with more storage space and a bigger kitchen and living room - but the bedrooms are an OK size, and we like the area we're in (SE London). DDs are 5 and 1, and they share a room.

I'd definitely like more space - another bedroom, a bigger kitchen, etc - but I try to focus on the good points: the flat itself is nice, we're near a good school and all DD1's friends, there are lots of parks and amenities, and the mortgage is manageable. We could be in a bigger house with a bigger mortgage, but I think I'd feel more stressed.

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