So you’re looking at moving – maybe you’re finally getting out of your parents’ house, or just desperate for a change, but either way you’re looking for somewhere new to live. In that case, welcome to flats VS houses – the great debate!
In terms of space, a house clearly has more than the average flat or apartment does – but there are plenty of ways to save space if you do opt for a flat (put your TV on the wall, make use of the space under the bed or hang your pans from the ceiling, if it’s low enough). With a lot of houses there’s an attic space to hide your Christmas decorations and the kids’ primary school artwork, whereas you might not get that with a flat. If it’s just you on your own or with a partner, though, having too much space can make things seem a little bit lonely…
When it comes to location, it depends what you want. If it’s city centre living you’re after, then a flat or an apartment is the way to go as you’d be hard pressed to find a semi-detached house slap bang in the middle of a city. If you want to be far away from the noise, the hustle and bustle and the people, then houses are more likely – you don’t see many apartment blocks in the countryside, that’s for sure!
With the money involved, it’s there and thereabouts: houses tend to be more expensive, but with a flat you may have to pay ground rent or service charges. Flats tend to be around a third cheaper than houses, and the cost of maintaining the building itself is often shared – but houses have more potential for capital growth, and generally appeal to a larger cross-section of buyers when it’s time to move on.
Obviously it depends entirely on where you want to live, and there’s no real answer when it comes to this debate, just some pros and cons on either side. With a house you’ll probably have a garden, if you want one, but an apartment is often more trendy – there are questions and answers, decisions to be made and a lot to think about. Wherever you decide to move, make sure you hire the best people to help you. Follow this link to get started.