Buying a flat in london or a house outside London

cherry76

I have been looking to buy for years and still looking.  I really like to buy now I have seen a couple of flat for 400k 1 bed in London and could get a period cottage may be 475k due to current market outside London.  Must be with walking distance to tubes station. My finances are in place.  I have seen these two period cottages I am intersted and would like some crtics.  I do like these types of period houses.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68756229.html

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70806624.html

Thanks.

eddddy

Period houses are nice to live in, but are generally more expensive to maintain, more expensive to heat etc. And being in a conservation area could push up maintenance and repair costs even further, and prevent you from making any external changes to the property.

bouicca21

it’s really a matter of taste.  Both are a long walk from the station.   Personally  I’d rule them out on those grounds alone.  Also both are tiny.  As edddy has pointed out you will be restricted as to what you can do with them.  Does the space suit your living style?  Can you cope with the minuscule kitchen in number one, or with the downstairs bathroom in number two?  For your budget and that area I’d be looking at flats.  But If you want a house, there are other commutable areas where you could get a bigger house with a better layout.  Think about your commute, and about what you want in the way of local facilities.

AdrianC

To TUBE stations, rather than mainline?

That limits you MASSIVELY. Outer end of the District or Met lines. That sets you up for massive travel disruption from single issues on the lines.

<looks at link>
Oh, H-ot-H? I thought you said outside London.

Bouicca - half a mile is hardly a LONG walk...

macman

Surely the choice between central London and the outer suburbs is one only you can make? We know nothing about your work location, family circumstances, likes/dislikes...

zagubov

You're looking in too narrow an area. You should be looking around the rail network too as you'll have a wider range of choices with fewer compromises.
It will open South London for you where there are some better options, easily beating those two houses you've shown.

princeofpounds

Overground rail in South London can be much more pleasant and convenient than the tube. It's also generally much nicer and greener than north London (particularly as you get more suburban), and in the South East it's pretty cheap. 

Socajam

You might be able to get a 2 bedroom flat in North/South Harrow for that with a 900+ year lease and large garden.
Look around the Pinner View, Cunningham Park, Harrow View area.
The trains are really fast to London - Metropolitan Line from Harrow on the Hill, with one stop at Finchley Road, Baker Street and onto Liverpool Street
British Rail from Harrow and Wealdstone and I think there is British Rail from Marylebone to Rickmansworth stopping at Harrow on the Hill = 22 minutes

gwynlas

Freehold houses are generally better than leasehold flats but both you have shown are very small and each have disadvabtages including lack of parking. I would as others suggest increase your chances by considering other areas. A major issue would be ease and cost of commute.

bouicca21

@AdrianC It's only half a mile for crows.  Going through the park is quickest, but still more like 15 minutes than 10, possibly not desirable in the dark. Going by road is going to be more like a mile. It all adds to commuting time.  My own rule of thumb has always been to be within a 10 minute walk of the station.

hazyjo

Depends what stage of life you're at and what you want (and who with).

I wouldn't pay 400k for a one bed flat but then I have no desire to live so centrally in London.

I also prefer trains to tubes.