Too Young for McCarthy and Stone

seven-day-weekend

margaretclare wrote: »

Not even suited to us - late 70s. Parking spaces limited to 1 per 4 apartments - no use at all. All the 'sales spiel' we listened to fell on deaf ears. We are not worried about security and we didn't think there was enough space, also, the rooms were a funny shape. Kitchen tiny - maybe not expected to do much cooking? Communal washer/driers.

We actually quite liked the fact that there were communal washer/dryers, would save us having one! The flat we looked at was lovely, a two-bedroomed one, with plenty of space and a 'proper' separate kitchen, not one stuck on the end of the sitting room as most modern apartments seem to be.

We also thought that the service charges were reasonable for the services available, and also the car parking as most people did not have cars and there were spare places. This particular development was within walking distance of a town centre, so a car not essential for people without mobility problems.

This may be an option for us in twenty years' time, however, we are far too young to buy into this lifestyle at the moment.

yangptangkipperbang

margaretclare wrote: »

Parking spaces limited to 1 per 4 apartments - no use at all.

Sorry Margaret - but you seem to have a "bee in your bonnet" about McCarthy and Stone in general.

This is just NOT true ! Sweeping generalisations such as this are extremely misleading and unhelpful. The ratio of spaces available vary from site to site. I am buying an M & S apartment and there is plenty of parking.

mumps

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

We actually quite liked the fact that there were communal washer/dryers, would save us having one! The flat we looked at was lovely, a two-bedroomed one, with plenty of space and a 'proper' separate kitchen, not one stuck on the end of the sitting room as most modern apartments seem to be.

We also thought that the service charges were reasonable for the services available, and also the car parking as most people did not have cars and there were spare places. This particular development was within walking distance of a town centre, so a car not essential for people without mobility problems.

This may be an option for us in twenty years' time, however, we are far too young to buy into this lifestyle at the moment.

We have a friend in her 80s who lives in a two bed M & S flat. She uses the communal washing machines although she does have her own. It is a nice sized flat. She is very happy, enjoys the entertainment and doesn't drive so not bothered about parking but to be fair we have never had a problem when we visit. They also have a guest suite so when we stay we don't stay in her spare room but book the suite which is quite cheap and gives us more independence. I wouldn't want to live there myself, I am not into bingo and quizes so that wouldn't appeal.

We also know a couple in their 60s who moved into a new development near us. We were surprised as they are very active and we couldn't imagine them liking it but they travel alot and they love the fact that they don't have to worry about their house when they are away so I guess it can appeal in different ways.

margaretclare

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Sorry Margaret - but you seem to have a "bee in your bonnet" about McCarthy and Stone in general.

This is just NOT true ! Sweeping generalisations such as this are extremely misleading and unhelpful. The ratio of spaces available vary from site to site. I am buying an M & S apartment and there is plenty of parking.

Not 'in general'. This was the case at the only complex we looked at.

zaksmum

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Sorry Margaret - but you seem to have a "bee in your bonnet" about McCarthy and Stone in general.

This is just NOT true ! Sweeping generalisations such as this are extremely misleading and unhelpful. The ratio of spaces available vary from site to site. I am buying an M & S apartment and there is plenty of parking.

The ones we looked at had 1 parking space per four apartments too.

seven-day-weekend

I don't know the ratio of parking spaces to apartments in the ones we looked at, but not all the apartments had a space. However, these were town centre apartments and when I worked in Town Planning it was deemed that most apartments in towns and city centres didn't need much parking, as the idea is that you do not need a car because of the good transport links.

So in the case of the ones I looked at, the restricted car parking may have been due to the fact that they were in the town centre, not that they were McCarthy and Stone apartments.

Errata

Flats without parking spaces must be fun for visitors, healthcare workers and cleaners.

seven-day-weekend

Errata wrote: »

Flats without parking spaces must be fun for visitors, healthcare workers and cleaners.

There is always some parking, just not one space per flat.

soolin

My mother lives in one of these flats and parking is an issue on occasions and at very busy times we have to drive around to find a parking space elsewhere which can be an issue.

These don't appeal to me at all, but my mother in her 80s really likes her flat and the feeling of security she gets

mumps

I don't know if they vary but we have never had a problem parking at our friends flat. The neighbours who moved still live quite close and I drive past their flat a few times a week and have never seen the carpark full. HTH