Great House, bad area

Ally

globetraveller wrote: »

Good idea to spend as much time in the area as possible. Also, what are the houses like in the rest of the street? Well kept? Tidy gardens? If you see any potential neighbours out and about, say hello and ask about what it is like to live around there.

I've just had a quick peek at the street view ... all the gardens look OK apart from the house the OP wants to buy .... but it's obviously improved a lot since the google van last visited.

OP - how old are these kids that are hanging around etc? Is it likely that they will soon be old enough to move on out of the area? I would consider that (amongst other things mentioned on this thread) as the house is lovely and as you said, there is huge potential to expand.

taxsaver

The house looks nice, but another consideration might be that it looks to be right under the flightpath from/to the airport?

leanneb010

The front has been redone since the good old google van popped round, the area was pretty well maintained, bar the few houses with bad gardens, but you get that in most areas.
I would say it is teens probably around 15-20 that likely hang about. Both times I went to the property no one was hanging in the street (few were in a garden at the other end of street, but didn't seem to be doing anything). I'm going tonight and will probably pop back down this weekend again (around 5/6 as I don't drive so any later is inconvenient)

It is near the flightpath, but the house I live in just now is as well so no great gain or loss there.

Gandalfthegrey

We have just moved to an area with a really bad reputation (had no choice as we were made homeless, so this is a council house) When I first heard we had been successful for this property, I was very nervous about moving there, but we have been here 6 weeks now and so far (touch wood) everything has been totally fine. The area is just overhyped, in fact its actually the friendliest place I have ever lived. We've had 4 different sets of neighbours come over and indroduce themselves, 1 of them gave us a shed, lawnmower and garden tools! I've privately rented for 11 years in so called nice areas and have never had so much as a hello from previous neighbours. Yes there are a few chavs out and about but had no trouble. I think some people are snobby about certain areas which is good because it means you can buy this house a lot cheaper!
I'd say you should be looking at your direct neighbours next door as noisy neighbours will have a big effect on your life.

ceridwen

Well - if you're used to living in a reasonable area and this is a bad area - then I would say "Avoid it - no matter what the house itself is like".

If you're used to living in a bad area and can cope with it - then get the house.

It does prove impossible ultimately to live in a worse area than one is used to - at the least you get wound up by other people doing things you just aren't used to in your "own" sort of area. At worst - other people downright directly harm you and your property.

From my own experience - it really isnt going to work trying to live in an area that is too "down market" for you.

EDIT: Just had a look at the house details - so when I'd picked myself up from the shock of how low houseprices are there compared to my dear area - I can understand why you like it. The only thing I noticed is that there is no cookerhood over the cooker and no units going along that wall - but that is pretty minor. Overall it looks modern/clean/tidy and I liked the look of the garden. I would say the garden is too small to extend into - as it would go from "reasonable size" to "too small" if anyone did that. So - if its not big enough as it is - then its not big enough. Extending a house is a recipe for upsetting a lot of neighbours - both during and after the work has been done.

Still feel the area has to come first - even if that means the house is worse.

leanneb010

The garden is actually a lot bigger than it looks in the picture. It is big enough for us. It may not be in the future. My main issue is, I suppose, what area I move to, because in Glasgow and the surrounding area I will run into the whole "slighty dodgy" area issue. It comes down to what kind of house I will get in my price range I guess.

Catatonia

I think if you know the area and it's fine then it's better than getting a house somewhere that has a slightly better reputation but is worse in reality.

I nearly bought a house in an area with a bad rep as it's actually only a couple of streets that are bad, and the rest are just tarnished by association, but are actually fine. I didn't in the end, but not for reasons to do with the area! If your night time visits check out then I would go for it, as having a house rather than a flat will make a huge difference.

Kara_P

Hello.

I would follow the advice of others so far. Check out the area as much as possible at night etc but also around about the times when the schools get out (especially if the kids will be walking near your house). My partners family have problems with kids littering their garden and make noise about home time so just one thing to consider. Also introducing yourself to nieghbours is a must! They can make or break living in a street with a not so great reputation. If there are a few "trouble" kids knowing their parents can really help you avoid any problems. I grew up in a street with a bad reputation and we never had any problems as my parents were friends with most of other parents on the street.

With these kind of streets, I think as long as you make an effort to be friendly to neighbours and the kids you will be OK. Most of the time the bad reputation can be overhyped.

I hope everything works out for you. Please do let us know.

[Deleted User]

Why don't you look further afield? You may be a bit further away from family but at least the kids will have a peaceful stress free life.
Would you really want to risk it?

Running_Horse

The closest primary school seems to have improved:

http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/inspection/LinnvalePS8312826FT.html

Although I prefer the more detailed Ofsted reports in England.