Hi all, I am hoping for some advice. I currently live at Shirecliffe and have always liked it here. However, I lost my Mum a month ago, she lived in a residential home just up the road from me so it was very handy, now she has gone though I can't bear going near the home because of all the memories and I feel there is nothing to keep me here anymore. The buses up here are also irregular and I am not near my friends so feel a bit cut off now.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I put in a bid for a flat on Exeter Drive as a close friend of mine lives on there, says its fine and I know he wouldn't encourage me to move there if it wasn't OK, he really is like a brother to me and I'd like to live near him. I have been to see the flat today, my friend went with me, its in the tower block on the 6th floor. Its a really nice flat, two bedroomed and spacious. The only thing is I worry about if the lifts break down and I get stuck in them. Also the kitchen and bathroom haven't as yet been modernised in this flat, though it will be done in the next six months but I have already been through the upheaval of having my own flat done two years ago.

I do have a nice flat, good neighbours and the area is OK but I really want to move for reasons I have mentioned above. However, I have until Monday at 10.00 am to make a decision and I just don't know what to do. Should I let the lifts put me off or are they safe in tower blocks now, the building is secure.

Lifts are pretty reliable and rarely break down trapping people in them in buildings that are secure.

Exeter Drive is very handy for the city centre - and am sure that if you've got a good friend there already you'll soon make many more.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Something to think about is, as hard as it might feel at the moment, living where you are, will the stress and hassle of packing and moving outweigh staying where you are?

AS longcol says, it Will be very handy for town, but the area has a bit of a reputation. (Although up on the 6th floor, you might well be out of the way of any bother)

I moved four years ago, and I have made the descision that my next move is going to be feet first(!) I can't be doing with the hassle of another move!

Sorry to hear about your mum, I agree with what people say that it will get easier, no matter where you live there will always be little things that remind you of your mum. Moving in itself it a huge upheaval but if you fancy starting a new chapter in your life then this may help.

Im sure that they couldnt leave out of operation for too long lifts in a tall storey of flats, they would have to be reliable and there should be a 24 hour call out. You could always walk down the stairs and catch the lift back up.

If you decide not to accept the new flat you could always look at doing a mutual exchange with someone, another housing association or council tenant and that may give you that bit more flexibility.

Good luck with your decision.

If you live in a nice place at the moment and have good neighbours that is worth a lot. Don't underestimate good neighbours they are like gold. For me the lift wouldn't be a consideration. Don't move into a place with dodgy neighbours who don't work and who play music all night.It will just make you ill. All right, I am stereotyping some tower blocks but please do your research, knock on doors and ask questions about the place.

so, how did you go on?

did you go and have a look around the "new" flat?

did you make a decision?

if so, what way? are you staying? going? Still planning on going, but to somewhere else, not the original flat you were offered?

I'm so sorry for you loss.
I don't want to upset you but couldn't not say my bit. We lived there for 3 years and I wouldn't go back. The lifts were often in a disgusting state (blood, vomit, human waste, drug parifinalia) and both broke frequently.
The bin cupbaord on the ground floor was often set on fire. There were several local 'characters' who took great pleasure itimidating and threatening people. It was nice when we moved in but by the time we left people were geting out as fast as they could which was sad especially for the very friendly older residents who'd lived there for decades.
We were burgled (love to know how thry knew we were even out :suspect:) It went downhill rapidly in the last 6 months we were there. We moved 3 years ago but have friends still there and they've been trying to leave.