Pros and cons

[denny]

Trying to make a decision between two flats I might be able to buy. Interestingly, they both have exactly the same layout, which simplifies the decision slightly... but not much:

Edited to add: the flats in question are both large 3-bedroom maisonettes - space is not a problem.

Flat A:
£310,000
In E2 (near Hackey Road)
Has a garage
Near a main road, but otherwise the neighbourhood seems quiet
Recently and very nicely refitted bathroom and toilet
Bedroom and frontroom decoration good
Kitchen okay
Windows all new and shiny

Flat B:
£270,000
In N1 (near Hoxton Street)
No garage, but plenty of parking
Opposite a fairly large park (handy for fire-spinning etc)
Not near any huge roads, but otherwise the neighbourhood seems a bit noisy (kids playing in halls, etc)
Desperately needs bathroom and toilet refitting
Bedroom and frontroom decoration hideous
Kitchen nice
Windows in very poor condition, council likely to demand money for replacing them soon (could be up to £10,000)

PRACE BETS NOW!

I don't really know. The cheaper price is obviously tempting - I'm at the edges of my budget here, £40k is a lot of extra money to pay interest on every month. I'd prefer to live in N1 than E2 - I think of myself as a north London kind of person, having spent lots of time in Kentish Town as a kid. OTOH, having a garage would be really handy given the car I drive. The bathroon and toilet in the naff one would need doing before I could move in, they're really shit. But that would only cost ITRO £5000 according to a builder I've spoken with. Add in the redecorating and some other work that needs doing, call it £10,000 I'd have to spend before I'd want to move in. So it'd end up costing me nearly the same maybe, with the windows and the building/decorating stuff, but it'd be in N1 and it'd be decorated etc exactly as I chose. But no garage. But quieter streets. But noisier block? But near a park. *head-splodey*

I r confused.

Comments

[willlondon.livejournal.com]

I think the one thing you got to look for first is location and the house pricing around that area. Because at one point you will be moving again. E2 Hackney is not the nicest area and its unlikely thats going to change anytime soon. The fact that its done up is of little concern and especialy for that price. With the same ammount of cash for the cheaper house you can doup both the bathroom and anything else you want doing. Garages are cool, but thats because people are likely to steal your car there. I mean cmon, allow having a name like murder mile. :S) HAving a park next to you is ideal and also will help when moving in the future. (A done up house next to central london and not in Hackney with a park is going to increase ur house price by far. Who needs a garden when you have a park.

N1 is the best in my opinion.

[potatoprint.livejournal.com]

Murder Mile is in Clapton, which is nowhere near E2.

There's also going to be a tube station on Hackney road fairly soon, which will help boost the price should you want to sell later.

I've lived just off Hackney Road for 10 years, and I love it.

(pointed in your direction by a mutual flister)