Last Thursday I received a phone call to say that a flat had come vacant in the complex that I have been hoping to move to.
FridayI went along to collect the keys to go have a look see. As per usual it ended up as a family outing. The whole family, naturally, wanted to take a look see. By the time we had gathered together there were 10 of us.
You can imagine it with everyone looking and planning what I could do with it and what would be best here, there, or whatever. My head was spinning with everyone making suggestions at the same time, lol.
The flat is on the top floor of a 3 story block. I was very pleased about this as I have been saying "I hope it's on the top floor". I hate curtains and to live on the top floor means that I don't have to have any covering at the windows if I don't want to.
It also means that there is no one above me which is something I also didn't want. I have lived in flats in the past and have always loved the one floor living and I have always been on the top floor. It's funny what one gets used to.
The flat itself is very, very tiny. The kitchen is so badly designed at the moment that there is less cupboard space and less room than I have in my caravan at the moment, would you believe.
The bathroom is a lovely size. Brand new suite and as I like it, all white. The bedroom is soooo small that it might mean me having to go into a single bed instead of a double, but I am still working on how to design that to it's best advantage.
The sitting room is a good size although once again due to how the electric points have been installed and placement of doors, is going to need a little chopping and changing.
Now for the best of the best. The view is fantastic. All of the windows look out on an amazing view. By glancing to the left slightly one looks out to sea, with a view of the Isle of Weight and the Needles. Directly in front the view is of the woods that lie at the back of the property. The sitting room window is virtually the whole length of that wall and the lower part is only as high as ones thigh making it a very light room.
Where the garden of the building ends the woods start with no barrier. So one literally walks out of the front door, across the garden and into the woods. Between the complex and the sea there is a beautiful hill to walk across which lead down to the beach.
My Bayley will absolutely adore his walks there.
My Nephew Gary will be stripping out and replacing the kitchen, while I will design it. I have designed so many kitchens in the past that despite several obstacles with it I am sure I can make it more serviceable.
My only concern at this moment is how to make the best of the cupboard of a bedroom. Although Sarah's chap is coming up with a few good ideas.
Editing to add more:
We have spent the weekend looking around at many furniture shops and although I had no intention of ordering any furniture but was just going to get an idea of what I wanted and needed I ended up ordering some for my sitting room because of the price.
There was a big sale on, finishing Monday, with the exact furniture I have had in my mind for a long time. I managed to save over £2000 on all of the units and dining table. I haven't yet decided on the seating for that room but have whittled it down from a choice of 2.
I have also seen the kitchen I would like but haven't done anything about ordering that either until I speak to my Gary about what to fit in and what not to fit in.
I can take the place over on the 1st October but there will be a lot of working doing to it before I can even think of moving in but I am hoping to be in before Christmas.
Edited to add images of my view.
FridayI went along to collect the keys to go have a look see. As per usual it ended up as a family outing. The whole family, naturally, wanted to take a look see. By the time we had gathered together there were 10 of us.
You can imagine it with everyone looking and planning what I could do with it and what would be best here, there, or whatever. My head was spinning with everyone making suggestions at the same time, lol.
The flat is on the top floor of a 3 story block. I was very pleased about this as I have been saying "I hope it's on the top floor". I hate curtains and to live on the top floor means that I don't have to have any covering at the windows if I don't want to.
It also means that there is no one above me which is something I also didn't want. I have lived in flats in the past and have always loved the one floor living and I have always been on the top floor. It's funny what one gets used to.
The flat itself is very, very tiny. The kitchen is so badly designed at the moment that there is less cupboard space and less room than I have in my caravan at the moment, would you believe.
The bathroom is a lovely size. Brand new suite and as I like it, all white. The bedroom is soooo small that it might mean me having to go into a single bed instead of a double, but I am still working on how to design that to it's best advantage.
The sitting room is a good size although once again due to how the electric points have been installed and placement of doors, is going to need a little chopping and changing.
Now for the best of the best. The view is fantastic. All of the windows look out on an amazing view. By glancing to the left slightly one looks out to sea, with a view of the Isle of Weight and the Needles. Directly in front the view is of the woods that lie at the back of the property. The sitting room window is virtually the whole length of that wall and the lower part is only as high as ones thigh making it a very light room.
Where the garden of the building ends the woods start with no barrier. So one literally walks out of the front door, across the garden and into the woods. Between the complex and the sea there is a beautiful hill to walk across which lead down to the beach.
My Bayley will absolutely adore his walks there.
My Nephew Gary will be stripping out and replacing the kitchen, while I will design it. I have designed so many kitchens in the past that despite several obstacles with it I am sure I can make it more serviceable.
My only concern at this moment is how to make the best of the cupboard of a bedroom. Although Sarah's chap is coming up with a few good ideas.
Editing to add more:
We have spent the weekend looking around at many furniture shops and although I had no intention of ordering any furniture but was just going to get an idea of what I wanted and needed I ended up ordering some for my sitting room because of the price.
There was a big sale on, finishing Monday, with the exact furniture I have had in my mind for a long time. I managed to save over £2000 on all of the units and dining table. I haven't yet decided on the seating for that room but have whittled it down from a choice of 2.
I have also seen the kitchen I would like but haven't done anything about ordering that either until I speak to my Gary about what to fit in and what not to fit in.
I can take the place over on the 1st October but there will be a lot of working doing to it before I can even think of moving in but I am hoping to be in before Christmas.
Edited to add images of my view.
Last edited by: Zandranna 09/09/09 12:17:34.
Edited 2 times.
Comments
Posted: 09/09/09 09:12:29
I didn't realize that you can redo flats like that over there, we can't do anything like that here except for painting. Oh, have you thought about getting a bed that has built in storage underneath it, a bed frame that has drawers built in, something like that?
Posted: 09/09/09 11:23:14
The bedroom has given me a headache thinking about it, but have come up with some ideas on extra storage. At the moment there is only room for a double wardrobe and a chest of drawers, obviously as well as a bed, lol.
As well as having storage under the bed, as you have just suggested, I will be putting cupboards all along the top of one wall running the length of the bed.
All furniture in the sitting room will also double up as storage.
The kitchen was hard, but my Nephew, Gary, and I went over again today and have made a great kitchen plan. Gary had some great ideas on how to squeeze in as much as possible, and as he will be the one building it along with moving electric points etc, I wont have to instruct a workman to do as I want. Gary now has the keys and will get in there and do what must be done.
The bathroom is fine. All is already brand new in there and so it just needs decorating to my taste.
Lot's of chasing in electric wires, because at the moment all wires are on the surface covered in with plastic covers, yuk!!! Obviously a very cheap job was done on that.
Getting the physical work done in there shouldn't take more than 2 or 3 weeks but unfortunately the waiting period on the furniture arriving is between 6 - 8 weeks. I can't see myself moving in before middle/end of November-ish.
Posted: 09/09/09 13:21:23
Do you have to sell the caravan too? Do they go easily?
Meanwhile, I may be moving too. Our chain has suddenly come together, after offering and waiting since February. We should know within a week if we're definitely on, and then be moving sometime in October. Eek, it's a big move with my house-full, but I'm looking forward to having a bigger place and a nice south-facing garden. Cross fingers!
Posted: 09/09/09 14:03:00
As for the caravan, yup, I will be selling it. As for whether they go quickly. 2nd hand caravans are being sold regularly here but it depends on how much longer the lease lasts, and how much people are willing to pay for the remainder of the last few years.
I bought this 2nd hand because I knew I only wanted it for 2 or 3 years. It only had 5 years to go on the lease but I haggled for a 10 year lease so that when I came to sell it, it would be easier to sell.
People tend to have a figure in mind when they set out to buy 2nd hand and then obviously try to get the best for what they can afford.
Keeping the caravan would cost me too much as well as paying rent on the flat. It had to be one or the other.
I am not going to be greedy though when I sell it. It is far better for me to sell it at a very reasonable price to get rid of it quick than have it sitting here and have to pay an extra years ground rent on it if it doesn't sell next year.
Once I tell the site I want to sell, the manager will come along and tell me what he thinks it's worth. The site will then advertise it for me and take over the viewing of it. Basically, I can just let them get on with it and ignore it until I get a phone call to say it's sold and the money will be going in my bank.
It's a fantastic caravan. Brilliantly laid out and in a prime position, I have also kept it in really good condition, so I am hoping it will go quickly.
Posted: 09/09/09 17:42:30
In Australia you are not allowed to do those kind of changes to a rental place so you are very lucky over there. As Rachel said ...... you deserve it!!!!!!!
Posted: 09/09/09 22:36:48
Keep us posted when you can Sandy, fully understand that there will be days you are just not going to be here as you will be pulling your hair out with all this. I hope you sell the van quickly, will keep my fingers crossed for you.
Good luck to you all!
Posted: 09/10/09 00:38:28
I sat last night and worked out everything I need for the kitchen. Don't know about where you all are, but over here one doesn't just go out now and buy (a) kitchen unit. One has to choose the carcase, then choose the drawer innards, then the plinths, handles, etc. etc., all separately.
It gets quite confusing working it all out and trying not to forget different things for different sized units. It used to be much simpler in the old days, lol.
Although that might be because I wont use a free in house kitchen planner but do insist upon doing it myself. Many years ago I sat with a kitchen planner and after he had finished I sat there with him and re-planned it. I managed to squeeze in a lot more than he did. Basically he was pretty useless. Since then I have designed several kitchens myself.
Sarah and Mark will probably take me on Saturday to buy the kitchen. Once that is done I'll leave the installing of it to Gary and get on with planning the bedroom to make use of every available space.
I can't deny that I am lucky to have all my family rallying around and doing their bit. I'm not even having to ask. They are just jumping in. Sarah's, Mark is fantastic. When one thinks how he has only just joined the family, yet he is front of the queue when it comes to volunteering. If I was his own Mother, I couldn't be treated any better by him.
Gary is going to save me a fortune. With him doing all the physical building type work not only am I saving on having to pay tradesmen but I can just let him get on with it and know 100% I am going to get a great job done. The man is a perfectionist when it comes to renovating. He hates to see anything not properly done.
As I haven't got anything to do or plan today and tomorrow with the new flat I am going to spend these days sorting out and seeing if there is anything that might need throwing away. I don't think there should be as I am not a horder, but it's surprising what one comes across once diving into cupboards and drawers.
Posted: 09/10/09 04:50:05
Posted: 09/10/09 09:37:25
Posted: 09/10/09 11:27:11
Well its going to be four of us , we are hoping to go look at a 3 bedroom house at the weekend overlooking the valley cant wait lol
Posted: 09/10/09 12:42:58
This is amazing how many of us are all moving at the same time. It must be something to do with the placement of the planets, lol.
And Yup, Portia, great internet is going to be one of the greatest of perks. Mind you it's bound to take a while getting it sorted. ISPs seem to take their own sweet time down in my area of the woods.
Posted: 09/10/09 13:56:53
Posted: 09/10/09 15:15:41
Oh yeah now where would I move to next? *laughs*
Heh Amber that's great news to hear, hope it all goes well for you.
Yep did all this 4 years ago and what a headache, all I wanted was a new functional kitchen, didn't realise just how much was involved to get to that aim. My kitchen guy (was recommended by a close friend) was also a perfectionist so be prepared when they tear something down as it is not up to their standard. Good luck Zan I know the fun you are in for.Posted: 09/11/09 14:17:24
Posted: 09/12/09 02:40:07
Posted: 09/12/09 13:29:20
Posted: 09/13/09 10:55:36
There are only 2 sorts of secure tenancy over here. One is what we call Council Housing. This is owned and run by the local authority.
Two, there are housing associations which are owned privately.
Housing associations are also split into two.
The first type work hand in glove with the local authority housings. They take the over flow of those that have been on the council waiting list and they are also granted x amount of cash per year from the local authority. Because of this they have to abide by council rules and regulations regarding housing people.
If one applies for council housing one will not know if it will be the council that will offer one a house/flat or one of those associations until one gets the letter as the council will automatically send copies of ones application to the housing associations. To be housed by either of these it works on a points system. Gain enough points and you are offered a place. You are only given 2 offers and if you don't like either then you wont be offered again.
The second type of private housing associations, are those that receive no financial benefit from the local authority at all. They are totally independant but it's all worked on a first come first served basis. If one doesn't like what's offered then they will keep trying until the right place for you comes up.
Posted: 09/13/09 18:07:39
Here in Australia when you rent you are not even allowed to hang a picture on the wall, unless you get approval from the owner.
Posted: 09/14/09 02:38:52
Being council or housing association is the only good way to go when renting over here but of course these homes are at a premium.
I was born and bred council and on getting married to a soldier and having a babe in arms at the time I was also granted a council flat then. We came to a point when we could afford to buy when Sarah was about 8 years old. So I am not at all worried about going back into secure rented. I honestly would not want to own my own house again now. The cost of insurances for this that and the other, and for maintaining the properties kept me poor. This way all maintainance is done and paid for by the association and the only insurance I need is for household goods.
It's my choice to rip out their kitchen and put a new one in as they provide a serviceable one, just not to my taste. I should be quite well off once I am living there and have sold the caravan so that I don't have to continue paying ground rent here.
Posted: 09/14/09 16:00:07
We have government housing and government assisted (usually for handicapped) rentals -- the government will pay a portion of the rent directly to the landload.
And then we have private rentals. Nearly all rentals are private. For larger buildings, there are different rules -- and NYC used to have rent controlled buildings, but I think they did away with that in the recent realestate boom.
Typically, rentals in the East are one year rentals. In the West, they are month to month.