Learning to walk before I run

Suffolk_lass

I used to do the nine day fortnight with the added feature of every other Friday working from home. I used to dial into meetings first thing but then maintain radio silence to do things like "think", which no allowance is made for. With my role before I retired being the B-word related, it all went out of the window and hours were absurd. I was always in my London office by 08.00 and rarely home before 8pm (hour and a half commute in the morning and two in the evening). I am so pleased my agenda is my own now.

Suffolksue

you lot don’t know how lucky you are ,can’t do compressed hours in nursing ( the patients either object or die if no one is there !
12 hr shifts are the norm ,sometimes lucky if they get time to pee 

edinburgher

@Alchemilla - compressed hours are fantastic for supporting real life outside of work - but very challenging in terms of keeping yourself motivated. I actually caused a ruckus when joining my new job as I forgot to mention that I worked (and expected to continue working) in this way (moving from one part of a local authority to another). I had no intention of subterfuge, I just didn't want to make myself the "difficult candidate" before it came to an interview where I was very nervous as to whether or not I'd even get one of the posts on offer! Anyway, my boss took the huff and has pretty much maintained it for 3 years, although ironically they now want to emulate me

A house that we liked has come back onto the market. It's another 70s shoebox, but at some point it was extended from 2-4 bedrooms and it has been flipped since last year (gutted with new kitchen/diner, utility, shower room and redecorated). It presents very well, although the interior decor is perhaps a bit fur coat and no nickers considering the area (think a bit footballer's wife) Still, the odd bit of "feature wallpaper" doesn't bother me. As it presents an affordable opportunity to get the space we would be looking to add with an extension, it would seem churlish not to view, so we're popping out to see it tomorrow afternoon. I'm not 100% sold on the area (perhaps a bit more built up, but with equally good schools, decent access to shops and services and 3.x miles from our current house).

£5.92 savings interest received, which I have split 50/50 between an OP and the ISA (£2.96 to each)

Karmacat

Ooh, Ed, good for you for keeping an open mind - it would save a lot of months of building work on site!

South_coast

Good luck with the viewing, Ed!

(P.S. I'm just jealous of your 35-hr work week, never mind being able to compress it 🤣!)

Suffolk_lass

Karmacat said:

Ooh, Ed, good for you for keeping an open mind - it would save a lot of months of building work on site!

Yes, the thing we always forget (until the next time) is pink dust. Everywhere. In everything. Food, hair, settling on bedding and soft furnishings, irrespective of protection, haz-curtain forensic screens or whatever.

edinburgher

We went for a secret scout of the area and our opinions chimed with each other - not entirely convinced that buildings and roads very well maintained (although "our" house looked fine). It's just that wee bit further out. Also some creative photos - due to the nature of the plot the front garden was the only particularly usable space - but only a thigh high fence. Felt a wee bit overlooked and in need of fencing!

Don't want to be negative, but it felt like the best house on if not the worst street, certainly a fairly average street... We would be the Joneses

Suffolk_lass

That's the opposite way round to the received wisdom for material improvement, as you no doubt realise. My friend (police officer) used to say you don't want to live in the best house on a street or it has the potential to attract vandalism (jealousy) and or burglar magnet (they think you have lots) (where is the eek emoji? )

edinburgher

@Suffolk_lass - yeah, I hear you, my mangling of the received wisdom was entirely deliberate

The street and the houses around it seem to be the usual Glasgow suburb mix of old people and young families. I did notice a CCTV camera, but as the house has been flipped that could just be because the flipper thought it looked cool. I suspect it's been flipped by someone in the trades. I don't think it would have the potential for vandalism etc., it just feels a bit incongruous. While outside looks perfectly attractive "normal", inside is a bit OTT in terms of the level of finish. For example, that sort of living flame fire that is built into a glass box in the wall, very popular in £600k newbuilds in snootier parts of the Southside.

It's doesn't sit beside a road, which would be nice and safe for kids and cats. It does mean, however, a 25m walk from the communal parking area or parking the car in a concrete lockup to the rear of the house which is very oddly about 3 houses over from the house for sale? It's not a dealbreaker by any stretch of the imagination, it just means that the area to the rear of all the houses is sort of a big square of lockups, which isn't particularly attractive. Then again, our view at the moment isn't too breathtaking! Looking forward to seeing inside tomorrow.

Alchemilla

Suffolksue said:

you lot don’t know how lucky you are ,can’t do compressed hours in nursing ( the patients either object or die if no one is there !
12 hr shifts are the norm ,sometimes lucky if they get time to pee 

Also true in teaching, I mean the customers don't die but they do fight and riot sometimes.