Which of these 3-bedroom houses would you purchase? Edit to include option C?

SarahB16

deannagone said:

Whether stairs will be an issue is a bit of a looking glass issue.  I have gone from walking miles every day and enjoying it, to having problems managing stair and I'm 58 (due to asthma and rh arthritis).  But obviously that will only be a bother to a small percentage of people.  You could always move if the stairs are a problem at some point.

However, having lived with a living room three stories higher than the front door, it was a complete pain having to rush down stairs because of the post man or a delivery.  I missed deliveries more often than I have/do in a property with quicker access to the front door.  It could be quite frustrating having to wait to collect a delivery next day or re-organise another delivery.

Depending on where the kitchen is compared to where you eat, getting food to that area can be a pain (unless you are a one pot family/person). In this three story place, the lounge was on the third floor, of course the small kitchen (no room for a table) was on the ground floor.

I wouldn't live like that again.

My intention would be to use the master bedroom as an additional lounge.  There would still be the main lounge on the ground floor too but I was visualising myself on a summer evening making more use of the top floor.  

I'm very tech savvy so would just have a video door bell connected to my phone and could speak to whoever was at my front door via my smart phone.   

The kitchen, dining area and the lounge are all on the ground floor.   

Thank you for your reply and all good points that are worth considering.  

FreeBear

Another point to consider - Is there a fleecehold charge for maintaining the public areas ?

If so, what are the annual increases and what is the current charge ?

theoretica

What are the access routes like? The car and pedestrian flow? You talk about people on the footpath or going by as though they are always a bad thing, but for many people a 'good morning' to neighbours as they walk the dog past can be a pleasant thing - but perhaps more with a small number of neighbours from your area than a thoroughfare between the school and shops...  And you get more neighbours going past if you are at the open end of a cul-de-sac rather than seeing noone unless you yourself go out when down the far end of a dead end. 

RelievedSheff

FreeBear said:

Another point to consider - Is there a fleecehold charge for maintaining the public areas ?

If so, what are the annual increases and what is the current charge ?

Leasehold and management company charges are two completely separate issues.

But you wouldn't be the first to confused the two!

JGB1955

I'm 68 years old and (although I thought it was a good idea... 10 years ago) would NEVER consider a 3 storey house.  They are a minefield for young families (all those stairs) and for those of us looking towards retirement (all those stairs).  

400ixl

The more I read, the less suitable as a proposed life long property this seems. Using it as a 3 story house where you are using a lounge on the top floor with a kitchen on the ground isn't practical long term.

You are probably subconsciously realise that none of these houses are really suitable into old age which is coming out through different questions.

SarahB16

400ixl said:

The more I read, the less suitable as a proposed life long property this seems. Using it as a 3 story house where you are using a lounge on the top floor with a kitchen on the ground isn't practical long term.

You are probably subconsciously realise that none of these houses are really suitable into old age which is coming out through different questions.

I respectfully beg to differ.  I have seen what can be achieved with these houses with a bit of vision.

Let's say I'm 54 years old and buy one of the houses.  I could (I hope) have ~30 years of living there and making the most of the terrace in the summer.  As the top floor has a bathroom I have also seen houses where they have incorporated a small kitchen area on the top floor too (which is what I would do too).  Remember this is the space that takes the whole of the top floor so plenty of space for the lounge and a small kitchen area.  Noted I didn't refer to a kitchen area previously but my original question was simply which house would you purchase house A or house B and with either one this is what I would do with the top floor.   

The house would still have the main kitchen, dining area and lounge on the ground floor but would also have a lovely place in the summer with this outdoor terrace, additional lounge and kitchen area.  All you really need in the kitchen on the top floor is a kitchen worksurface with a kitchen sink, kettle and a fridge to keep drinks cold.  I have spoken to somebody who has actually done this with their three storey house and it looks amazing.  

Let's say at some point I struggle with the stairs then yes in that situation I wouldn't use the top floor as often but you can't live your life thinking like that and do see the earlier reply where a 73 year old woman talks about not having any mobility issues and neither do the majority of her friends.  

dimbo61

Agree with others with regard to a home with 3 floors.
We lived in a detached house with master bedroom plus ensuite   on the top floor, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the middle floor and a " normal ground floor "
While great while we had teenage kids and fantastic  to someone working regular nights we decided  in our mid fifties to look for something smaller !
Wanted a bungalow  but ended  up with a 2 story house.
It will keep you fit but you need the kitchen, lounge, dinning on the same floor

RelievedSheff

SarahB16 said:

400ixl said:

The more I read, the less suitable as a proposed life long property this seems. Using it as a 3 story house where you are using a lounge on the top floor with a kitchen on the ground isn't practical long term.

You are probably subconsciously realise that none of these houses are really suitable into old age which is coming out through different questions.

I respectfully beg to differ.  I have seen what can be achieved with these houses with a bit of vision.

Let's say I'm 54 years old and buy one of the houses.  I could (I hope) have ~30 years of living there and making the most of the terrace in the summer.  As the top floor has a bathroom I have also seen houses where they have incorporated a small kitchen area on the top floor too (which is what I would do too).  Remember this is the space that takes the whole of the top floor so plenty of space for the lounge and a small kitchen area.  Noted I didn't refer to a kitchen area previously but my original question was simply which house would you purchase house A or house B and with either one this is what I would do with the top floor.   

The house would still have the main kitchen, dining area and lounge on the ground floor but would also have a lovely place in the summer with this outdoor terrace, additional lounge and kitchen area.  All you really need in the kitchen on the top floor is a kitchen worksurface with a kitchen sink, kettle and a fridge to keep drinks cold.  I have spoken to somebody who has actually done this with their three storey house and it looks amazing.  

Let's say at some point I struggle with the stairs then yes in that situation I wouldn't use the top floor as often but you can't live your life thinking like that and do see the earlier reply where a 73 year old woman talks about not having any mobility issues and neither do the majority of her friends.  

You seem to have made your mind up. 

So why ask the question?

SarahB16

dimbo61 said:

Agree with others with regard to a home with 3 floors.
We lived in a detached house with master bedroom plus ensuite   on the top floor, 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms on the middle floor and a " normal ground floor "
While great while we had teenage kids and fantastic  to someone working regular nights we decided  in our mid fifties to look for something smaller !
Wanted a bungalow  but ended  up with a 2 story house.
It will keep you fit but you need the kitchen, lounge, dinning on the same floor

It would have them all on the same floor.