Cover me in debt, debt to the eyeballs (or advice on buying a shoebox in England)

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
Have you ever considered a career as an actuary?

Actuarial stuff is interesting

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Doddler
I wouldn't be able to get my sums wrong often enough.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by VetLegion
Here (Croatia) flats are normally 10 times salary. What people do is buy a flat only when they pair up for real. Then one salary is used almost entirely to pay off the apartment, while the couple lives off the other one for years.

That sounds tough, though not so far away from the reality here for most people.

House size and population density are factors, though. Considering that there are more people living in London than in the whole of Croatia, I wonder if the average home is larger in Croatia - unless your country is full of even more spectacular, uninhabited scenery than I imagined.

Homes here are tiny - as the 'shoebox' reference in the thread title implied. Worse still, government targets are to increase population density (ie - decrease living space and living standards) for the masses so that the priviledged classes can enjoy their spacious luxury while the proles get forced into smaller and smaller hovels.

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker

Actuarial stuff is interesting

Finally Kuci, I see you've developed a sense of humour! Myself, and I'm sure many others here have been waiting for this moment for a while!

[Solly]

Originally posted by Cort Haus


That sounds tough, though not so far away from the reality here for most people.

House size and population density are factors, though. Considering that there are more people living in London than in the whole of Croatia, I wonder if the average home is larger in Croatia - unless your country is full of even more spectacular, uninhabited scenery than I imagined.

Homes here are tiny - as the 'shoebox' reference in the thread title implied. Worse still, government targets are to increase population density (ie - decrease living space and living standards) for the masses so that the priviledged classes can enjoy their spacious luxury while the proles get forced into smaller and smaller hovels.

Why do you need a massive house anyway? Somewhere comfortable to relax, sleep, and eat, with nice views is fine.

[Provost Harrison]

Where is the originator of this thread, I am expecting some drunken ramblings from him at this point!

[Cort Haus]

Meanwhile, we'll just have to make do with drunken ramblings from the rest of us. :hic:

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Doddler
Why do you need a massive house anyway? Somewhere comfortable to relax, sleep, and eat, with nice views is fine.

I don't need a massive house because me and my partner have made a decision to never have kids. I need a room to work in so a 2 bed flat is the minimum and that's probably as large as I'll ever live in. I get a little bit jealous of places I see on TV (especially the states) with large, spacious living rooms and gardens. I can do without those, I suppose. Somewhere to park the car within 5 minutes walk would be nice, though.

Nice views is definitely a luxury, though desirable. The place we're trying to buy has views of the Telecom Tower to the south and Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath to the north. That'd be cool.

[Provost Harrison]

Sounds damn pricey. I live a bit further out in the sticks...makes it a lot easier to park the car But I am only 20 minutes from Central London on a train anyway (quicker in rush hour too with the fast trains) so I can't grumble...

[Solly]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison
Sounds damn pricey. I live a bit further out in the sticks...makes it a lot easier to park the car But I am only 20 minutes from Central London on a train anyway (quicker in rush hour too with the fast trains) so I can't grumble...

I'm within walking distance from work, it's perfect

[Cort Haus]

Walking distance of work is cool. My GF works at the Royal Free hospital, which is in walking range of where we rent now, and where we intend to buy. I'd rather pay more for being in town than pay the equivalent extra on commuting PLUS the time penalty. I hate travelling for 3-4 hours a day.

It's also nice to be able to walk to the football, the zoo, local gigs and other favourite institutions.

PH - are you SE London?

[Solly]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
Walking distance of work is cool. My GF works at the Royal Free hospital, which is in walking range of where we rent now, and where we intend to buy. I'd rather pay more for being in town than pay the equivalent extra on commuting PLUS the time penalty. I hate travelling for 3-4 hours a day.

It's also nice to be able to walk to the football, the zoo, local gigs and other favourite institutions.

PH - are you SE London?

Yeah, and the extra for being in a city isn't that much really. There are a few downsides like poor supermarkets and dodgy streets at night, but nothing too major.

[Cort Haus]

Although there have been a few murders around here over the last few years, I don't find the streets that dangerous - even though there are loads of pubs and drunk people. I actually find suburban areas with bored kids hanging around outside off-licences more threatening. Stuff happens here, but it is generally avoidable, and often those getting in trouble are not too street-wise, or looking for it anyway.

[Solly]

I agree about suburban kids, but usually they won't mess around with someone much larger than them, they're sensible that way. Here it's more the football crowd you need to watch out for, and the people coming down off drugs but out drinking still at 8, 9 am.

[Dauphin]

Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp


Miss out on rising property values.

You used a smiley. I thought you refused to use them!