How long could a small three-bed flat work for our family?

[brbttyl]

How long realistically do you think we can live in this flat for?

I'm buying a flat to have kids in. It's 3 bed and 80 square meters so a very small 3 bed. It's also the biggest that we can afford as we live in an expensive area.

Both DP and I freelance from home. The living and bathroom are big family size and everything else is on the small side.

We want two kids and will start TTC next August.

Kids start local school age 5 years here. It's so oversubscribed that siblings are not prioritised unless they're in the catchment area. So if you move, your younger child likely wont get in.

So we can either move within catchment which next step up for a home would be extra £300k as they are so in demand and really its just a larger three bedroom in a better decorated building. Or move out of catchment.

This primary school is great. It would mean we would need to live in the flat for about 9 years to get two kids into catchment. Assuming the kids are 2/3 years apart and we live in the flat for 2 years before the birth.

How long realistically do you think we can live in this flat for?

If schools are really important to you, do make sure you have read the admissions document (based on tenements though... Scotland? Admissions there are simpler than England. I believe its just living in Catchment, or faith for the Catholic schools. )

@BirdLandedonmyHead yes just catchment. What's it in England?

It's fine, my flat is only a few square meters larger without any storage space and we do just fine with one child (plus an army of his friends). We know a couple that live in a flat with the exact same layout with 3 kids and it's totally fine. Buy it if you like it, don't buy it if you don't, you're thinking way too far into the future as a LOT will change in 9 years.

I love the flat! I am very excited. I am also a planner and really like to get ahead with a vision.

The main difference is schools have a set number of children they can take. So if there is more applicants than places, you dont always get into your closest school. Or the school your other children attend.
Scotland makes the classes after knowing how many children need places that year.

@BirdLandedonmyHead thank you I had no idea!

Basic loft/attic conversion in time.

@mumumental I don't think so. We don't own the roof just the attic so can't put in a window. Also judging by the space (haven't been up but can estimate) there's not enough room to stand, so it will be storage