House in Great Ashby v Flat in WGC

capcomping123

Hello all!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Other half and I are looking at purchasing a property within Herts and in particular the areas below. We have our AIP and our budget is allowing us to decide (generally) between the below. We are recently married, no kids yet, but plans in the future.. We don't plan for this to be our home forever, as it is just first steps on the ladder, but do need to think medium to long term to cover every eventuallity.

OPTION ONE - House in Great Ashby (Stevenage outskirts)

- it's a house! w/ a garage and a lovely garden
- we are not huge fans of Stevenage itself, albeit Great Ashby is on the outskirts..
- partner works in London so will commute by train. GA is a 10 mins drive to the station and will have to pay for parking, although will save on maintenance fees/ground rent
- would rather raise kids in a house

OPTION TWO - Flat in Welwyn Garden City

- lush newish 2 bed apartment
- cheaper than option one
- we really do like the WGC town
- WGC train station is a 10 min cycle and obviously means no paying for parking...
- it's not a house
- would prefer to raise kids in WGC than Stevenage
- probs no lift which means carrying a buggy up and down in the future..

You could say it's basically location V house.. Your thoughts please MSE members! Thanks so much reading and for your help. :beer: x

MM64

Hi, no brainier for me - house in great ashby. Not sure what your circumstances are with regard to work and joint incomes etc but if you have kids in the near future you will defiantly be laying down roots for the longer term.

With a flat you will probably need to move again if you have kids with the added expense of moving costs and possible difficulties of obtaining a mortgage with only 1 income or your lender reducing what they lend based on child care costs.

Distance wise is only 10 miles with the added benefits of a freehold with no maintenance charges.

Hope this helps.

bouicca21

How long before kids? 5 years or less? Would you really have to carry a buggy up and downstairs? In my block there is enough room to leave buggies and scooters in the hall way. How do maintenance costs on a house stack up against ground rent and fees on a flat?

But most importantly - what does your gut tell you about where you would be most happy?

capcomping123

Thank you both so much for your replies so far.

In regards to children, within 5 years I would say. In regards to buggy and costs etc. we are actually booked in to see both this week, so will definitely be looking at getting these figures and to see if there is space. (I didn't know some apartments had such facilities).

Again, that 'gut instinct' will kick in when we visit both properties I'm sure! Trying to think with my head AND my heart.

ethank

Why don't you take the flat now, and then move if/when you start having children. Children don't need much for the first year!

capcomping123

Again - thanks for the input. Part of us do thinks that too, but sensible part of us thinking we should think ahead, and you never know what will happen/what our circumstances will be like in 5 years time..!

Slinky

capcomping123 wrote: »

Thank you both so much for your replies so far.

In regards to children, within 5 years I would say. In regards to buggy and costs etc. we are actually booked in to see both this week, so will definitely be looking at getting these figures and to see if there is space. (I didn't know some apartments had such facilities).

Again, that 'gut instinct' will kick in when we visit both properties I'm sure! Trying to think with my head AND my heart.

Don't assume you can leave buggies in the hall area even if it's quite large. I visit some newish blocks of flats regularly with my work, one block is housing association and was full of mothers with young children, firstly the hall had loads of buggies, over the years it became bikes and scooters as the kids got older. Then the managing agents got fed up with it and banned all the clut from the hall for health and safety reasons and anything found there will be removed according to their notices. The kids are still living there but I don't see any buggies/bikes there anymore.

capcomping123

Thanks Slinky - will make sure I find out about this for sure.

Having said that, I don't know hubby would feel about leaving the buggy in a communal area!

Elfbert

You can never rely on leaving buggies etc. in a communal area/hallway etc. because it will probably always be against fire regs - even though many places ignore this for years and years.

Personally, if you like the flat, I'd do that. 2 beds is plenty big enough for a baby! But if you don't want the expense/hassle of moving again, then go for the house. Check out schools/nurseries etc. near both anyway.

ratechaser

I've lived in and around WGC for the past 15 years and I never really want to leave (well ok, I might be persuaded for something in central St Albans but that's for the future when I have a couple of million spare!). The one thing it does lack is a truly good pub in the town centre, but John Lewis and Waitrose do provide some consolation. As does the lovely woodland walk that lead over to the Ayots (where the better pubs are!)

It's a tough call if your budget can't stretch to a house because I personally wouldn't choose to start a family in an apartment. But given you're looking 5ish years ahead, would the cheaper season ticket from WGC, not to mention the 5 quid a day saving on station car parking mean that you have a chance to save and trade up a few years down the line?

capcomping123

Ah I really appreciate all of your responses - thank you so much!

Ratechaser, we live with partners parents now nearby and often go to WGC for a coffee, for walks and of course for John Lewis. We love it!