Nice People Thread No. 15, a Cyber Summer

Conrad

PasturesNew wrote: »

It's like the "bifold doors bringing the outside in" and the open plan kitchen extensions with an island etc - a mostly middle-class aspirational house extra.

It does "look nice" in a beach-themed way. Fresh and appealing. But I've no idea how much it costs. I think it's more about "the look" than anything else, for most.

I'd buy a house that had it ... but I'd not sit here and think "my house/life would be transformed if I got that" ...and choose to pay for it to be done.

2 friends have recently installed huge swivelling grey framed doors and windows and I have to say they really have made their homes look more smart and bought the outdoors in.


We were sitting in one of these folks living rooms, with all the doors swept aside and it was almost like being on the helm of a ship. I think one of them paid £3000 per door! He fitted the glass himself (took 4 people to do) so I'm not sure if this £3k was if you bought the glass ready fitted into the frames.


EDIT - and this latter couple are having a kitchen island made, it's like a life boat to accompany the ships helm. He's not rich but has been careful with money down the years. Well, I say not rich, he's like so many people we know, has about £1m in property equity but an average income (darn south) of about £100k (that really is not a lot I promise - bloke I know is a warehouse manager on £35k but his wife is a senior nurse making £55k with O/T, and so given they have two tax free and lower earnings taxable portions as opposed to my mates one, this totally ordinary couple are effectively making the same NET wise as his is even though his gross is more). Everywhere I go I see staggering wealth, I cant stop musing on this. Look at Rightmove in the south east - commercial - look how many ordinary old Turkish or Indian restaurants that were only set up a couple of years are now sold (NO ACTUAL PROPERTY IN THE SALE) for £300k just for the goodwill, and look at the big profits they make. A little convinience store is on RM in Dagenham I think and makes £250k profit per year, so much money about

Conrad

The wildlife pond is coming on. Loving being outdoors more than ever. Pond is full of tiny froggies.

silvercar

Conrad wrote: »

The wildlife pond is coming on. Loving being outdoors more than ever. Pond is full of tiny froggies.

How did the frogs find the pond?

Pyxis

silvercar wrote: »

How did the frogs find the pond?

I've had frogs ever since I've lived here. No pond. No pond in either nextdoors. No pond in the houses at the back.

There might have been a small pond in a garden about 5 houses down once, but dunno if it's still there. In any event, there's no way through all the fences for the froggies.

So, no idea how they got here, or why they are still here 30 years later! I like them!

I think having piles of wood, stones, rocks and stuff in the garden gives frogs crevices to hide in. Almost every time I lift a rock, a frog jumps out!

michaels

Conrad wrote: »

2 friends have recently installed huge swivelling grey framed doors and windows and I have to say they really have made their homes look more smart and bought the outdoors in.


We were sitting in one of these folks living rooms, with all the doors swept aside and it was almost like being on the helm of a ship. I think one of them paid £3000 per door! He fitted the glass himself (took 4 people to do) so I'm not sure if this £3k was if you bought the glass ready fitted into the frames.


EDIT - and this latter couple are having a kitchen island made, it's like a life boat to accompany the ships helm. He's not rich but has been careful with money down the years. Well, I say not rich, he's like so many people we know, has about £1m in property equity but an average income (darn south) of about £100k (that really is not a lot I promise - bloke I know is a warehouse manager on £35k but his wife is a senior nurse making £55k with O/T, and so given they have two tax free and lower earnings taxable portions as opposed to my mates one, this totally ordinary couple are effectively making the same NET wise as his is even though his gross is more). Everywhere I go I see staggering wealth, I cant stop musing on this. Look at Rightmove in the south east - commercial - look how many ordinary old Turkish or Indian restaurants that were only set up a couple of years are now sold (NO ACTUAL PROPERTY IN THE SALE) for £300k just for the goodwill, and look at the big profits they make. A little convenience store is on RM in Dagenham I think and makes £250k profit per year, so much money about

It is strange though, the rapid rise in prices leaves a real patchwork of residents on many streets, those who are on normal salaries say one earner on 25-35k and the other on 10-15k part time but who have lived on the street for 20 years when prices were 200k and those who are buying now and need to pay at least 650k although I suspect most who move here already have equity as it would need a major salary to purchase at that level without.

WE are very much the left behind with a household PAYE income of only 13k although obviously topped up by tax credits in a house worth 60 times as much but you get things like the 'spontaneous' leavers party for year 6, in previous years it has been bring a bottle and some food to the school and share - this year posh mummy offered to book the new trampoline park at £12 per head leaving us the choice of paying up or DD2 feeling left out. For those on the 100k plus salaries I suspect £12 is what they drop on coffees and snacks in a day without thinking about it rather than a normal days family food expenditure.

Tahlullah

Our HA have felt the need to inform the residents of its 30 high rise blocks in the district, that the flats are clad with non-combustible rock wool with a render finish.

Good to know. Bet they have been hounded since the incident.

Tahlullah

michaels wrote: »

In previous years it has been bring a bottle and some food to the school and share - this year posh mummy offered to book the new trampoline park at £12 per head leaving us the choice of paying up or DD2 feeling left out. For those on the 100k plus salaries I suspect £12 is what they drop on coffees and snacks in a day without thinking about it rather than a normal days family food expenditure.

This has been an issue for a while. There is a real separation and I'm not sure how to bridge the gap without upsetting someone. Parents are getting really good at making excuses as to why they cannot attend, because they are away etc.

The damage to others without understanding, or even being aware that not everyone is within the same income bracket is what is make us a 2 tier nation. It used to be possible to tell based on the car and which supermarket you went to and what street you live in.

Now, there is no clear line, so the assumption is that everyone is a 'have', rather than a 'I haven't got as much as you'.

Actually, all it requires is some thought and consideration before making the assumption that all can afford what you can.

We have a long way to go.

michaels

Nikkster wrote: »

I'm sorry, this is completely contrary to the principles of this thread I hold so dear (I still lurk). But I have to say, this is by your choice. I'm not necessarily criticising your choice, but I'm not so convinced you shold be talking about it like this?

I'll go back to lurking again. I'm sorry if I offend anone but I think it needed to be said. And I've had the most terrible month which helps somewhat with perspective but generally less so with tact.

Nikkster I am really sorry if I offended you. Would you like me to remove my post?

I really hope the next month is better for you than the last one.

PasturesNew

Pyxis wrote: »

The trouble is, I like brickwork. .... periodic painting

It was on my preferred list when looking for a house, I wanted plain bricks... no maintenance. You know what you've got and have to do "nothing" to it on an annual basis.

I've seen the cladding most recently on the "council estate with a bit of a bad name" that's just over the road from me.... you can't put lipstick on a pig.

LydiaJ

Nikkster wrote: »

I'll go back to lurking again. I'm sorry if I offend anone ...

Nikkster! How lovely to see you (although not at all lovely to hear you've had a terrible month ). Please don't feel you have to lurk. I mean, if you're too busy to post, or don't want to, then do what you have to do. But don't ever feel unwelcome here. You have offended nobody, we hope no NP have offended you (and if I have I'm extremely sorry), and we all want you back.