I'm looking to relocate to a city centre base and am looking at various ads for apartments in West One, Leadmill Court, Jet Centro, Riverside etc.

One of the costs never mentioned in the ads and on websites is any service charge for the building - obviously I can ask the agent for details of these - but I'm interested in what people pay and more importantly what they get for their money - concierge, security, parking etc - and do you think its value for money??

TIA

I'm not living in a flat, but this was one reason which put me off living in a flat in the city centre. Personally, I do not think it is value for money. When I was looking a couple of years ago, it was around something like 1-1.5k a yr. Depending where your property is. You forget that living in the city centre, with the prices being so high, your council tax rate is also quite high. You may be looking at a band C to live in the city centre.

This is something that first time buyer doesn't look into. Because if you think about it, you are paying more to stay in the city centre than to buy a decent place at a lesser tax band elsewhere. But of course, the advantages is that it's ready to move in straight away. A house somewhere else may need doing up.

Oh, if you want a car parking space, that is sometimes NOT included in the value of the property. You need to ask the agents. 'Maintenance fee' and car parking space are hidden costs in city living.

I live in a 2-bed flat in West One. I understand its on the larger side compared to some of the other 2-bed places and so pay maintenance of around £1700 for the year. I have a parking space in the basement which is very secure. I think you only get a space when you have a flat with 2-beds or more.

The building security is very good unless residents hold doors open to randoms. I think cleaners come around weekly to ensure the communal (stairs, lifts, landings, hallways) are tidy. The concierge is always easy to get hold of and really helpful.

I think the council tax is about £1200 band of C.

I think the maintenance is on the high side but I really like living here and being close to the city centre so I don't mind paying it.

Hope this helps!

Have a look at Queens Tower - http://www.blundells.co.uk/queen_tower.html

We don't pay any service charge but have cleaners for the communal areas, free parking and gardeners chucked in for free!

Council tax is also reasonable - Band A - and I have one of the larger apartments.

Though all apartments are lets - don't know if you're looking to buy or rent...

I'm looking to relocate to a city centre base and am looking at various ads for apartments in West One, Leadmill Court, Jet Centro, Riverside etc.


TIA

I am assuming that you are loking to buy as if you rent then these costs are paid by the landlord.
I own a small 2 bed flat in West One. The maintenance charge is £1300 for the year. It pays for a 24 hr concierge which has proved very useful at times as I rent the flat out and tenants have sometimes needed help/advice and a ready screwdriver which are readily forthcoming. Flats with parking included also have to pay extra for upkeep of car park etc - this is included in that charge.
Is it worth it? People who live there seem to think so. Living in the city has compensations such as maybe no transport charges if they work nearby, no taxi fares, nearby entertainment and shops etc. My tenants love it there so they think it is worth it.
My flat is one of the smallest 2 bedders and council tax is Band B. All 2 bedders have parking and about 5 extra-large 1 bedders do as well.

My son owns one of these large 1 bed flats with parking and is planning to sell in a few months and buy a house. It is a stunning flat with a huge living space... and Band B. If you or anyone reading this is interested please PM me for details.

I bought a 1 bedroom flat in Leadmill Court and the service charge is £525 a year. I decided not to buy the parking space that came with the flat because I don't have a car. Council tax is band A but as I'm on my own I get 25% discount so I pay £635 a year. Even though West One has 'premium' flats. I prefer these flats (better kitchens and bigger bathrooms), but then I'm going to biased because I bought here.

Even as a first time buyer, I did look into these 'hidden costs' because they weren't really hidden at all - I did my research.

Living in the centre is great. It's walking distance to most of the places I go to (5 mins walk to work :hihi:, 3 mins walk to the train station), no more expensive taxis or crappy buses and I have about 5 locals (and 1 of them is Spearmint Rhinos!!! - not been in yet, honest). Noise of neighbours and street noise was a concern before I moved in, but I'd say it is similar (if not less) to when I was living on Eccy Road.

The only disadvantages so far are:

- I like to use the big Asda on the parkway for big food hauls, and I have no car. I have to wait until my mates are going.
- The communal hallways need a lick of paint.
- I still haven't found a decent takeaway fast food place around here (kebabs are good, pizzas are not).
- I just had a sky engineer around to install sky plus and I can't because there's only one output :cry: but that's a whole other thread.

I have no regrets to buying in the centre and if it's good for your circumstances I totally recommend it. There's plenty of time later for buying into the surburban life when you've got a family and two cars and you don't go to nightclubs etc.

I love it :D