First purchase - go for flat or stretch to a house?

bucksbloke

Always go for a house rather than apartment if you can!
Always go for freehold over leasehold!

TDH_91

hazyjo said:

Not sure you're comparing like for like though. That part of Chingford around the estates of Friday Hill isn't a patch on North Chingford or most of Highams Park.

Are there other areas you are considering? Do you work in London and what's the station/ area you need to get to?

Liverpool street area so hoping to go on the overground line right there. 
What do you mean not comparing like for like?
Preferably to stay in the chingford/highams park area - that's the goal

hazyjo

TDH_91 said:

hazyjo said:

Not sure you're comparing like for like though. That part of Chingford around the estates of Friday Hill isn't a patch on North Chingford or most of Highams Park.

Are there other areas you are considering? Do you work in London and what's the station/ area you need to get to?

Liverpool street area so hoping to go on the overground line right there. 
What do you mean not comparing like for like?
Preferably to stay in the chingford/highams park area - that's the goal

I've lived in both areas, but some parts aren't as nice as others. Just wondered if there were other areas you'd consider or if you needed to be in E4. Or do you live around Friday Hill already?

md258

Think about how your life might change over the next few years. I bought a town centre flat as a young man which was big enough to have a pram in the hallway and a lift. After I had a child I realised how much better my flat was than friends houses where they had to keep the pram in the car and drive into the town centre.

My flat did have some key advantages:
Long lease
Nice neighbours
Communal garden with maintenance sorted out
Underground car park with 2 allocated spaces

I believe that it is important to compare the positive features of an individual property rather than a blanket statement of houses are better.

zippygeorgeandben

Come over here to the lovely E18 area

cybervic

I had the same dilemma few years ago, and although I always have a longing for a house with a garden, I bought a flat  because of it's in one of the best area I know I won't lose money given that I had bought it with brexit uncertainty. I really love the area that everything is within walking distance. 3 years on, my flat has increased much more values than houses in so-so area. 

Perhaps also think about your desirable lifestyle,  I enjoy gardening but I decided I didn't want to spend times/energies on houses because it's more time consuming looking after a house than a flat.

hazyjo

cybervic said:

I had the same dilemma few years ago, and although I always have a longing for a house with a garden, I bought a flat  because of it's in one of the best area I know I won't lose money given that I had bought it with brexit uncertainty. I really love the area that everything is within walking distance. 3 years on, my flat has increased much more values than houses in so-so area. 

Perhaps also think about your desirable lifestyle,  I enjoy gardening but I decided I didn't want to spend times/energies on houses because it's more time consuming looking after a house than a flat.

Exactly my point. I would rather a flat in a nice area than a house in a not so nice area. It's likely to increase more in value too.

If I was adamant I wanted a house, I'd rather compromise on the commute and live in a cheaper house in a smart area further out.

getmore4less

TDH_91 said:

hazyjo said:

Not sure you're comparing like for like though. That part of Chingford around the estates of Friday Hill isn't a patch on North Chingford or most of Highams Park.

Are there other areas you are considering? Do you work in London and what's the station/ area you need to get to?

Liverpool street area so hoping to go on the overground line right there. 
What do you mean not comparing like for like?
Preferably to stay in the chingford/highams park area - that's the goal

What is your commute limit  time/price
quite a lot 30mins from Liverpool street station.
http://www.commutefrom.com/

Whats driving the max lending deposit or salary?
£420k looks to be not enough to get  decent houses in those areas.

how close to a station do you need to be?
Do you want walking to amenities/social
Do you need work from home space?

getmore4less

interesting place, looks to be down an alley handy for the station and amenities but don't see any parking.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94631651.html

hazyjo

getmore4less said:

interesting place, looks to be down an alley handy for the station and amenities but don't see any parking.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-94631651.html

I looked but that yesterday but wasn't sure. I like quirky, but this didn't really float my boat.

Carried a dismantled bed frame home with my other half once from Willow Street lol. Wasn't quite as easy as we'd hoped 🙈