Midlife Musings and Measurable Goals

doingitanyway

Sunshine_girl2 said:

Sounds like the trip to the flat was worthwhile and hopefully when you go back with your friend , you can decide if it is a viable option. 

If not there will be another property along in the future. 

Thanks @Sunshine_girl2 the bolded above is the thing I am trying to remember

Bubblesmum

Morning.. the apartment sounds lovely.... I would struggle though without a furry friend... so I hope that’s negotiable....
Look forward to hear about second viewings 
Have a restful weekend. 

beanielou

Apartment sounds grand.  

You could think about a cairn terrier. 

I love cairns. 

savingholmes

Miniature labradoodle gets my vote

doingitanyway

I've had a few days away in the new area. Stayed at a local B/B with a friend, out to dinner and breakfast too so hardly an MSE few days. Back home and menu planning and shopping in budget supermarket. Glad to be home TBH. 

I had a second look at the flat/apartment (not sure what to call it.) They say apartment but I veer towards flat so will stick with that) 

Pluses
Offer of a garden veg plot!
Views (gardens/open space or tree tops)
Very quiet (ideal for my creative work)
Great architectural features
Top flat (great for safety and quiet)
Roof terrace just for me
Rooms are generous sizes
Communal areas inside clean and well decorated
Good condition (will need painting and new flooring but not immediately) 
No immediate neighbours as part of a detached house
Open fire (will add a wood-burning stove but not immediately)
Quiet area
No garden to maintain
No responsibility for major exterior repairs
Owner of building lives in part of the house
I can have a dog!
I can have a cat.
Good feel...whatever that means...

Minuses
Outside of building not as spick and span as I would have it. 
Clutter outside ground floor flat door
Area possibly a bit quiet and formal. Areas nearby a bit livelier?
Less likely to make friends/casual contacts than in a terraced house 
No garden to entertain in (not that I have done this in the last 10 years! )
Less control as service charges/ground rent can increase
If I choose a house I would have to maintain the structure, something I find stressful.

I suppose I'm not sure if I want a house or a flat. But if I do want a flat I doubt I will find better than this one, or maybe I will?

Hope everyone is okay.

MovingForwards

Let's address the minus points, see if any have a positive side:
External appearance - you don't see it when inside, if it's in good condition don't let it out you off.
Clutter - what kind of clutter? Bins? Rubbish? Or something else?
Area - how far from the lively parts are you? Walking distance? If so, perhaps that's not a bad thing.
Making friends - don't dismiss it as not happening in the immediate area, there's only one neighbour I have nothing to do with the others we all help each other out. 
Garden - you've the terrace for that.
Charges - the lease will say how long they are fixed for and what they can increase by, repair costs would be payable regardless of the type of property.

Perhaps this isn't the property for you and maybe your want list needs to be looked at, see what is now a priority? That's why viewings are good, they help you see what you do want.

Have you looked at the sold properties in your budget, see if there's anything there you would have considered? Again it helps with your want list.

I wouldn't come out of the property market, keep looking, but make sure it meets your new wants list before viewing.

another_casualty

It's good to see that your friend joined you DIA . What does she think.? 

When you say you're glad to be home , is that because you are tired or stressed? 

TBH, you are going to go off the mse radar now and again , but imho you can possibly claw that back and more once you are eventually settled . 

From what I can see, the 'only ' real issue seems to be the clutter from the ground floor.
As we know, half of the battle is having good neighbours . 

Regarding the service charges etc  it may be worth finding out how much they've increased over the last five years . Just my opinion of course . 

You saw my woes when I was moving ( although that may be in my second diary )
I mention that because of my preference to upstairs maissonnette s and flats to ground floor . Due to my health issues at the time and my age, I have a gd flr flat for now .
No maintenance is a big plus . One of my sisters had a big dog and had to walk up 4 floors and it was too much for the dog in the end . My sister was carrying it up a couple of floors in the end . She now lives in a gd flr with a garden but no more dogs .🐕. She doesn't like cats 😾
I still call flats , flats . Apartments is very American imho 🇺🇸
Not sure if you can wait too long as you'll be homeless and I don't think you can rent beforehand from what you've mentioned .

Anyway , hope I made sense and hope everything works out for you .

jaybee

Also consider that a dog (or cat) could be a problem in an upstairs flat. Sometimes they might need to go outside at night - it happens!

doingitanyway

Thanks @another_casualty. I was glad to be home as I like my own bed and it was tiring as looking at houses as well was the flat. Having a friend with me was good although I deffo drank too much and had a headache the next day!

You are right. The only 'real' issue is clutter in the corner on the ground floor. It isn't bins or rubbish. Maybe an old pram and some buckets? not sure. Anyway, nowhere will be perfect and maybe the clutter isn't permanent?

Re the steps. Not so many so shouldn't be an issue. It's basically a house not a block of flats.
I'd go for a smallish dog too so should be okay.

I'm ok. As you know the process is just stressful and it is a big step to take by myself after so long where I am.

Thanks @MovingForwards. The lively area is a 15 minute walk away so I can use it. As you say, I might be better off in the quieter zone. I will still connect with people in the area and through activities I take up like outdoor swimming!

Charges can increase at any time for large maintenance but that can happen with a freehold house too so not sure I should worry. (Just build my own reserves)

I know what you mean about the terrace but not good for a large grouping, but I can accept that.

Thanks @jaybee I have a terrace for doggie emergencies...

MovingForwards

Perhaps you do want a flat, with a private garden or a house. I think the location could be overcome as could making friends; that naturally happens with hobbies and interests.

Definitely build up a repairs pot, regardless of property type.

Were the other viewings a no?