Studio Flat

MarthaKL

A studio flat was my first step on the housing ladder and it was exactly the right thing for me.  I wasn’t able to afford anything else in the location, which was perfect for me, and I sold at a profit a few years later. If it’s right for your needs I’d go for it. 

hazyjo

Can I ask roughly what age you are? If over 50, fair enough, but if younger, I'd seriously rethink. Part-time will affect your pension (govt and private), and you still have (hopefully) a bloody long time to get through after 50. I'd much rather work full-time to 50, with a mortgage, THEN consider the rest.

ms_london

hazyjo said:

Can I ask roughly what age you are? If over 50, fair enough, but if younger, I'd seriously rethink. Part-time will affect your pension (govt and private), and you still have (hopefully) a bloody long time to get through after 50. I'd much rather work full-time to 50, with a mortgage, THEN consider the rest.

Yes of course, I’m 43. When I say part time, probably still 30 hours a week and my plan is to pay more into a private pension as I won’t be paying a mortgage. 

The only reason I’d like to do this is health issues, but it’s not set in stone - a bit of a luxury. 

lookstraightahead

I loved our studio flat. I just love open living. Location to me is far more important than stud walls. Not everyone's cuppa but if it's in the right place I think it would sell.

diggingdude

I guess it depends where the flat is also. If it's in some random town anywhere in the country then you might struggle to sell moving forward. If it's in a thriving town or city there is usually a demand for cheaper housing such as a studio and you will get out on it. 

ThisIsWeird

Of course a 1-bed is going to be more desirable than a studio, and of course a 2-bed will be ditto than a one. But studios have their place, now and in the future, and you will not be the only person who is either happy with one, or can only stretch to one. 
They have their place in the chain.
I doubt you'll find one large enough to partition, at least not without giant compromises (and, if this could be done successfully, it would  already have been), but obviously check the layout of each and see if nice screens or tall furniture - bookcases and the like - can be employed to give the bed area a more private feel.
If it's ideal for you, it'll be ditto for others.

ms_london

diggingdude said:

I guess it depends where the flat is also. If it's in some random town anywhere in the country then you might struggle to sell moving forward. If it's in a thriving town or city there is usually a demand for cheaper housing such as a studio and you will get out on it. 

Thank you. It is a good area and more people are moving there as they’ve been priced out of a local town. 

ms_london

ThisIsWeird said:

Of course a 1-bed is going to be more desirable than a studio, and of course a 2-bed will be ditto than a one. But studios have their place, now and in the future, and you will not be the only person who is either happy with one, or can only stretch to one. 
They have their place in the chain.
I doubt you'll find one large enough to partition, at least not without giant compromises (and, if this could be done successfully, it would  already have been), but obviously check the layout of each and see if nice screens or tall furniture - bookcases and the like - can be employed to give the bed area a more private feel.
If it's ideal for you, it'll be ditto for others.

Thank you. I’m not too bothered about any form of partition to be honest but will definitely use the space creatively. It helps that I don’t own too much. I live in a smaller space now and am fine with it. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

ThisIsWeird

It sounds ideal for you, then, and a lack of mortgage is a very yummy thing :-)

Good luck with it.

ms_london

ThisIsWeird said:

It sounds ideal for you, then, and a lack of mortgage is a very yummy thing :-)

Good luck with it.

Thank you. We shall see what happens.