Which is the best type of property

carefullycautious

When the time comes to downsize even more. What properties would you consider for purely economic reasons ie, warmth,low maintainance etc.
At present we live in a post war GF Flat which has double glazing and central heating but is still very cold. I think the chimney causes a lot of draught even though there is a gas fire it situ. We have a terrible down draught from it. Also because the floors are concrete and tiled and we have good underlay under carpets but it feels freezing. Does anyone live in a cosy warm property that they would like to tell me about. Or are we all doomed to freeze and have high heating bills etc. How people in open plan properties get on I dont know.

Do share if you are living in what you consider is a good buy due to above

Thanks in anticipation

brummybloke

your best bet would be a 2 bed mid terrace, in devon there are loads of them, it depends where you live, as they were considered 'low cost' homes for fishermen, miners or steel workers depending on where abouts you are.

being mid terrace you have the benefits of exta insulation, a 2 up 2 down sort of house.

never_enough

1970s house or flat for me (if I *had* to!)
My in laws live in a 70s house, have cavity wall insulation, dg, & thick underlay. Their house is the most cosy I have ever been in. They don't have central heating (no gas) but those storage heaters which run on economy 7. Their bills are around a quarter of ours.
I love the look of period properties & would never choose a new house if I could afford an older one. However you do learn to wear a lot of jumpers, or you'll spend a fortune on heating.
My dad has just moved into a 3 year old 4th floor flat & has only had the heating on twice in 2 months. It is super insulated on the outside & he must benefit from his neighbours heat too.
You can get insulation boards to put under carpet/underlay, its expensive, but might be worth doing next time you have a carpet fitted?

carefullycautious

Thanks for replies. I think Devon is a bit far as we are midlanders like you Brummybloke

so 70s/80s flats etc are cosy and more warm even on economy 7 now thats interesting

never_enough

My dad was gleefully telling me about his gas bill only £15 in just over 2 months....during which time I've paid out about £400 (for both elec/gas combined) :eek:

I'd steer clear of ground floor too, then you're 'sandwiched' by warmth. Although of course it may be noisier.