New build flat in town centre

kaych

Hi all,

My partner and I are looking at this new build flat in town centre. We are looking at the 6th floor. I was wondering does anyone here live in town centre? it is very central and we were wondering should we be worried about noises, anti-social behaviours (quite a few pubs and nightclubs on the highstreet) etc?

Would like to hear from anyone who has lived or living in town centre. Thanks!

Berkshiregirl

Wouldn't that depend on what town? I've lived in a town centre before and it was fine, but it was a market town with very little nightlife. I doubt it would be so quiet in Manchester city centre for example.

Person_one

I live in flat in a city centre, right by a very busy roundabout and the noise is not an issue. We're high enough up (10th floor, 6th would be similar I imagine) and the windows are double glazed so we never hear any voices and the traffic is very low background noise. We've even got used to the sirens now and barely notice them!

Muhasib

Again, I'd say it depends on which city this is, I used to live in Central London and it didn't bother me even though it was noisy as I was in my 20's and going out a lot anyway; have you thought about going out at night in the bars on the same road as the apartment then you could see what it is like?
However if you are in the north, there is a large oversupply in some cities so you shouldn't be thinking of a fast profit in buying and selling.

Also consider if you do buy, would others prospective buyers be put off for the same reasons when you come to sell?

Fire_Fox

I live on the second floor in a city centre flat with two pubs on my street yet noise is not an issue. Don't move onto the roads leading off the main clubbing area, I have friends who do and that can be noisy as drunk kids just don't seem to leave for ages after chucking out time. Taxi ranks are probably noise hot spots as well. We also have very little of some sorts of crime - of course there is shoplifting but homes being broken into is virtually non-existent. I even feel safe walking home from the bus stop after a late shift as the area is well lit and plenty of CCTV and there is always a few people around.

It is more neighbours being noisy that you have to think about in some blocks, look at how many flats are on the same corridor as drunk people will walk past your door to get to their flat and sing or shout all the way!! You haven't said if you are buying or renting, but ask the current residents in writing what the noise levels are like. People tend not to lie in writing.

Check the flat has good double glazing for both warmth and noise protection. If you move in and have any minor problems wax ear plugs are AMAZING at blotting out noise, if you have major issues with a particular flat or particular venue get council's Environmental Health department or the police Licensing Officer involved - they can enforce changes in nightclub policy to try to avoid or disperse noisy crowds.

kaych

thanks for all the replies! it's really useful to hear other people's experiences!

we are looking to buy this flat in Watford, Herts and is not yet completed (completion date this June), so it would be hard to ask anyone. we are renting now in Watford in a quiet street and live some 15 minutes away from the town centre.

We have been out in the evening before and notice there are a lot of people going out in the evening as there are quite a few nightclubs around, but not sure how late they are open till though (may have to go out one night and see how people behave after the clubs are closed?). the new development is actually on the street just off the highstreet. but the street is well lit and it will have a secure entrance. I guess the 6th floor would be high enough (?) to avoid all possible noises on the ground?

oh and there is also a 4 storey car park right behind the development. Doesn't seem that busy in the evening, think it's mainly for people who come to town centre to shop, so don't really expect heavy traffic out of hours.. unless there is a football match?

RecoveringAlcoholic

I will refrain from commenting.

P.S.
Are the flats being sold to owner occupiers or BTL investors?


.

laughingcow81

I know Watford town centre is very busy most evenings, particularly at the weekend. I think I know some of the flats you are talking about. When I've been there of an evening people tended to mill about the streets a lot, and that wasn't particularly late.

However, on the 6th floor noise from outside shouldn't be too much of an issue, as long as the flat is double glazed. I guess it also depends which way the flat faces.

I would agree with the others; try and spend an evening there late if possible (I know some of the clubs shut 2am or 3am - maybe later) and see what you think.

Eric1

kaych wrote: »

we were wondering should we be worried about noises, anti-social behaviours (quite a few pubs and nightclubs on the highstreet) etc?

You should also consider the behaviour of your future neighbours.
Some city centre flats end up occupied by.. less than fortunate tenants.

not_loaded

Fire_Fox wrote: »

…You haven't said if you are buying or renting, but ask the current residents in writing what the noise levels are like. People tend not to lie in writing…

At an early stage it’s sometimes tricky to write. What I’ve done in the past is to jot down what people say that’s key to your decision to buy (take photos if needed) and then put it in with your offer or later correspondence; eg: I was very pleased to hear from you on the 12th during our viewing that it’s a very peaceful spot. That’s very important to me, and I make my offer on that basis.

You’d be surprised what you get back. Some people are way too creative verbally, and never seem to think it’ll come back to bite them!

(I understand that as it’s new build this point is probably not so useful)

Fire_Fox

kaych wrote: »

thanks for all the replies! it's really useful to hear other people's experiences!

we are looking to buy this flat in Watford, Herts and is not yet completed (completion date this June), so it would be hard to ask anyone. we are renting now in Watford in a quiet street and live some 15 minutes away from the town centre.

We have been out in the evening before and notice there are a lot of people going out in the evening as there are quite a few nightclubs around, but not sure how late they are open till though (may have to go out one night and see how people behave after the clubs are closed?). the new development is actually on the street just off the highstreet. but the street is well lit and it will have a secure entrance. I guess the 6th floor would be high enough (?) to avoid all possible noises on the ground?

oh and there is also a 4 storey car park right behind the development. Doesn't seem that busy in the evening, think it's mainly for people who come to town centre to shop, so don't really expect heavy traffic out of hours.. unless there is a football match?

Times the clubs are open should be on the council's licensing department website. If there have been any licensing reviews, the committee minutes are also on the website. Also search the local paper's website as any trouble between venue and police will be reported there.
http://www.watford.gov.uk/ccm/content/ehl/licensing/licensing-act-2003.en

Drunk people ARE noisy. They may or may not be noisy on your street, it depends which direction the crowds go when they leave the nearest club. Ask your neighbourhood policing team for a breakdown of crime stats at ward and even street level rather than council level.
http://www.herts.police.uk/neighbourhood_policing/y_np_wat.php?nptId=21
http://maps.police.uk/