Advice Needed - are we stupid buying a flat?

Numbercruncher_mfw

Hi everyone,

This is my first thread on MSE so a bit of background about me.

Myself and my partner are first time buyers who are looking to buy in Newcastle. We are both from the North East and enjoyed city living in Edinburgh for the past few years. We've decided we want to live close to the city centre but property in our desired area is expensive and a flat is all we can afford.

Our families both live in towns around 30 minutes from the city and when we tell them our plans they always say "But you can buy a semi detached 3 bedroom house for the same price here as you are paying for a flat". They think we are mad. I need some other thoughts?

BrassicWoman

I'm moving to a flat because I'm sick of extra rooms I don't need that sit there needing cleaned. I can't be bothered with gardening when there are parks.

Do you want kids or pets?
Do you own loads of treasured "stuff"?

marliepanda

If you want to live as close to the city centre as possible, then chances are youre going to be in a flat.

Do you want to live in the city centre?

Are you happy buying a flat?

If the answer is yes, sod it.

Its like saying 'you paid WHAT for a house in London? I could buy the entirety of a street in Newcastle for that?' If its not where you wanna be, does it matter.

Numbercruncher_mfw

We don't want kids or pets.

I also hate clutter so I'm hoping in my own place to live more of a minimalist lifestyle. The one thing I love about hotel rooms is that I feel like I can relax because there's nothing in them but the essentials. My bedrooms is cluttered with so many things I don't use and don't need.

Numbercruncher_mfw

marliepanda wrote: »

Do you want to live in the city centre?

Are you happy buying a flat?

If the answer is yes, sod it.

Its like saying 'you paid WHAT for a house in London? I could buy the entirety of a street in Newcastle for that?' If its not where you wanna be, does it matter.

So true. The idea of living in a flat doesn't bother us, it's just whenever we tell anyone we get such negative responses it makes us feel as if we are making a wrong decision. I suppose we should just stick to our guns as it us who are living in it and noone else!

Thanks :j

Jamiesmum

marliepanda wrote: »

If you want to live as close to the city centre as possible, then chances are youre going to be in a flat.

Do you want to live in the city centre?

Are you happy buying a flat?

If the answer is yes, sod it.

Its like saying 'you paid WHAT for a house in London? I could buy the entirety of a street in Newcastle for that?' If its not where you wanna be, does it matter.

Absolutely this!

But also consider things about lack of garden space - do you have friends round for drinks / dinner? Would you like too in the future? And are you planning (in near future) to have children?
I've lived in flats and couldn't have people round because of the neighbours, I live in a house now the only difference is my son can play out and we can host the odd BBQ!

In terms of space it's no issue, flats are usually a good size. It has everything a house does except the stairs. My old 2 bed flat we used to live was so much bigger than the 3 bed semi we live in now. But we gained a ridiculously large garden. I miss the space, though.

Being in a flat means less randoms knocking the door too! Bonus.

Planet_Switzerland

How near to the city centre do you need to be?


I used to live in Heaton many many years ago and property was quite cheap there. I could walk from where I lived to Northumberland St in 15 minutes and most of that walk was through a park and through the university.

agrinnall

I assume none of these other people who are telling you where you should live are actually offering to buy such a property for you, in which case thank them for their interest and spend your money on what suits you. And when they spend a night out on the town and ask if they can stay the night with you remind them how nice it is where they live and point out the nearest taxi rank.

Person_one

I lived quite happily in city centre flats for 6 years in my twenties.

When I was a bit older and wanted a garden and a drive rather than proximity to bars and shops, I moved to a house. You don't have to stay in your first place forever.

boliston

Person_one wrote: »

I lived quite happily in city centre flats for 6 years in my twenties.

When I was a bit older and wanted a garden and a drive rather than proximity to bars and shops, I moved to a house. You don't have to stay in your first place forever.

When I was in my 20's I seem to remember wishing I could live in the country, but now I'm in my 50's I would hate that sort of thing - I happily live in a flat close to all the local amenities. If I need to grab something from the supermarket or go for a coffee or a beer or even catch a train it's 5 minutes walk at most - no faffing about driving a car, parking, getting ticketed etc

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Of course you're not mad. If flats in the city centre were that undesirable, they would be much cheaper. They are the price they are because a lot of people want to live there.

It all depends what you want.