Hi. I found a maisonette on the Web that I'm quite interested in buying in Summer Street. It looks hideous but has a lot going for it, notably (for me) couldn't be much closer to the Arts Tower. But I'm 200 miles away right now!

Any views on whether it's worth the trek to see it? Will I hate Summer Street the moment I turn into it? Anybody been in those maisonettes?

It's number 66, the two upper floors of four. See http://tinyurl.com/2m53b

you might be better buying a timeshare in Beirut.

Its been on the market a few weeks now.

Just as an aside, my grandma and grandpa lived in one of the old courts(Back-to-back houses) on Summer Street, many years ago, before all these maisonettes etc were built.

I also lived in an identical property in another district when my lad was small. they aren't badly laid out inside, a decent sized dining kitchen, and a medium sized living room.

the bedrooms are generous, and IIRC have generous storage space.

the plusses of living on Summer Street:

You are very close to good, frequent buses (51, 52, the 95) and the tram.

Five or ten minutes walk will get you pretty much into the very centre of the city. (both the moor end of town and the markets side)

On the doorstep, literally, of the university and the central hospitals.

reasonably close to two safeways and a morrisons (not that there's much difference now the firms have merged) as well as the city centre shopping mentioned above.

crookes valley and weston parks are nearby, (Currently undergoing regeneration)

night life and city centre pubs are not far.

disadvantages of the area:

some demolition and renovation going on nearby.

shabby and run-down sort of area

not far from the red light areas

some crime - well, it is something of an inner city area, and therefore not the best, (although it is not the worst of areas)

ex-council properties... the property you are considering is not as bad as some former council properties could be, it was built very late fifties (post '58/9) to early sixties. However as it has communal areas you will almocst certainly be subject to paying a service charge to the council for things like cleaning, painting and lighting.

Be careful when buying ex LA properties, as they can, occasionally be turkeys.

the other thing is, (the best option) go look for yourself and get the feel of the place. only you yourself knows whether you'd feel comfy living in a district.

PT

Thanks, guys, that's very helpful.

I decided to go and view, even if only out of curiosity, but an offer on it was accepted this morning. Saves me having to make a decision!

hmmm i have lived in netherthorpe for about 13 years now and have to say i wouldnt move if you paid me. service charges work out about £220 a year.
sabb

That whole area is about to go ballistic in the next few years. All the flats that had problems have been cleared out and are going to be demolished and loads more new apartments are planned. It might have been a very good buy!

Yeah, best thing they ever did in that area was get rid of the infamous Kelvin Flats...

Originally posted by Rich
Yeah, best thing they ever did in that area was get rid of the infamous Kelvin Flats...

Were they in Netherthorpe:confused: :confused:

im sure they were in th area known now as Philadelphia Gardens.

I live in Netherthorpe, and noticed recently that many of the maisonettes near St Philip's Social Club (on the city centre side of the dual carriageway) appear to be empty, or boarded up.

Does anyone know what is going to be happening there? Are they perhaps due to be demolished for redevelopment like the ones on the other side of the dual carriageway were?

Yes. You got it in one. There are big plans in that area.

I lived in Netherthorpe one Summer (in a nice new apartment I may add) and although the flat was gorgeous I found Netherthorpe itself quite scary. Its in a fantastic location and has the added bonus of the tram but I just didnt like the area and I was really intimididated walking around even in daylight.