With hindsight it was no bad thing, I was looking at the top ish of the market and although the London property market is as unstoppable as a runaway train, wages are affected by economic troubles and I could perhaps have been paying too much each month for something.
I've also been very happy in the two flats I've lived in since that time- one was very small but in central London and living there had long been a dream of mine- the other is a lovely flat in East London where I am currently. East London has a great atmosphere and is like the whole world in a few square miles and I've been living with a school friend, which has been lovely.
It looks like it might be time for the The Littlest Hobo to 'keep moving on' again soon. So the question is, should I think of buying my own home, or should I keep being a renter? Received (British) wisdom is that, if you can, you should always buy, but buying is committing and I quite like the idea that I could just go and live in Paris at a moment's notice (I couldn't because of personal commitments and also because my French is good enough for holidays but not for life!).
Though buying a place doesn't stop you being free, maybe it makes you more so, so what am I scared of? I'd love the decorating, anyone who follows me on Pinterest (do follow me!) knows I'm obsessed with my dream home board and there's a whole pile of magazine cuttings from the time before Pinterest. So I should probably take the plunge and start looking for those shoe boxes!
We (my husband + me) bought an apartment back in Dec 2009. We love our flat and the neighborhood - in fact we found our dream-apartment there, but I do feel unfree. I'd be really sad to leave this place - and that makes me unfree...
ReplyDeleteAh but that's a good kind of unfree :-)
ReplyDeleteI do love that we own our home, but would also love the freedom to be able to just up an go if the whim took us! I do wish I had less stuff though, I feel that holds me down more.
ReplyDeleteHow about a modest home and travel often, responsibilities uh!
I agree with you! Owning a home is a dream come true for me. It makes you feel like you're satisfied and comfortable living.
ReplyDeleteI can see both sides of this, but in the end I always choose the freedom. :) It sounds like you have carefully considered, so when you do decide, I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.
ReplyDelete