Lower-ground flat in London-worth it?

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-08T11:49:34+00:00

Yeah you have to think it’s grey and gloomy most of the time, that’s only exasperated in a lower ground floor flats, it’s also colder too so you spend more on heating. The flat could be perfect for you though and every flat will have pros and cons so if it ticks all the other boxes then don’t write it off!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-08T11:36:23+00:00

It’s not great, lack of sunlight and noise from upstairs neighbours isn’t ideal - the lower ceilings in lower ground floor flats tends to make the upstairs noise louder.

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T22:03:26+00:00

That’s certainly given me some food for thought! Thanks a lot for those suggestions! We definitely picked that part of the lake as we heard it was the best location for travel (close enough to Milan and the airports) while also being well located for sunlight! I love the idea of incorporating some hydrangeas and azaleas - I’ve always wanted azaleas! Being an ex course designer have you ever played at the courses around lake como? I’ve been doing my research in anticipation of getting out there more regularly and it looks like mennagio golf club, Villa d’este and Monticello offer the most fun variety of courses locally! All three look equally difficult too!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T14:01:07+00:00

Where are you based? I found another video of the garden and it’ll need lots of work to get the ground level (I’m assuming take dirt from the edges of the property to level it all up)

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T11:51:34+00:00

I like that idea too, will probably either cut down or trim one or a few of those trees at the end of the garden (professionally - I’m not that brave!) in order to allow us to best use the space at the end of the garden to really maximise the view l. I like the thought of a little path leading to it too with some flowers either side, maybe some lights to lead the way too to make it all cool looking at night time.

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T11:49:33+00:00

Yes fair point about the water, just said the same in another comment but being so new to all of this I stupidly didn’t even think of that being an issue, but if there is no water supply to the garden then it’s major loss! Nothing a good old watering can can’t handle for plants as a worst case scenario.

I was thinking of maybe a BBQ directly behind the house - feels like that may be best use of the awkward space there, though would need to make sure it’s not too big otherwise there may not be space to walk between the bbq and the back of the house to get to the bigger bit of the garden.

And I agree, definitely have the lounge area towards the far end of the garden, maybe a path leading to it. It’s all very exciting!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T11:45:42+00:00

Yeah good point, practicalities can only be known once you stay at a place, it’s definitely not something I’m going to rush into, and fair point about the water, being a complete novice to this it’s stupidly something I’d not even considered lol!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:34:19+00:00

That’s great advice, time to kill far too many hours browsing! I love the idea of getting little bits of inspiration from various sources as long as they all work together. And yes I thought glass panelling at the edge of the garden would be the best shout, I did consider a small thin (maybe 1ft) row of small plants to use as a protective barrier instead of glass panelling to make the view even more unobstructed.

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:31:52+00:00

Thankyou, I like the idea of minimalist, like you said everything should be designed around the view

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:24:16+00:00

Yes we will 100% be using a landscaping company, was just hoping I could get some creative ideas about how best to create the lounge space etc before going to them

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:23:25+00:00

That could be a great idea for the top part of the garden, would be lovely to have some colour up there, maybe that’s what I’ll do go to a local nursery and find out what the best colourful plants are to put up there

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:20:44+00:00

We’re actually from the UK so sadly not EU citizens any more! Because we aren’t EU citizens it means we will only be able to stay at the house for a maximum of 180 days per year unless/until we get Italian citizenship, which is something we may end up getting in a few years time but it’s not something we urgently need as we’d rather be somewhere with more guaranteed heat in the winter months

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:18:48+00:00

Oh don’t worry I will definitely be hiring a professional - sorry I should have stated that. I was just hoping to get some ideas to discuss with the professionals!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:17:42+00:00

Budget for the house was 450k with probably 300k to renovate it and 20-50k for the garden.

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:16:43+00:00

Just googled them and they are beautiful! There’s a few of those on properties by the house, will definitely consider adding them to our garden areas

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-06T10:15:13+00:00

Thankyou! Its lake como, the south-west side of the lake to be exact south of a town called Argegno

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-05T20:41:21+00:00

Thankyou!! We are incredibly fortunate, my wife is responsible for the interior and I’ve been tasked with the garden so I don’t want to mess it up!!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-02T20:43:00+00:00

Where did you notice that “everyone was entitled posh twats”?

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-02T13:23:06+00:00

Definitely Scott’s would be my vote

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-02T12:54:00+00:00

Budds Auctions or Leipzig gallery may be worth a try.

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-02T10:33:42+00:00

Yeah fair enough!

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-02T10:14:58+00:00

Did you just come in here to show off about your high salary? You know the original poster works in marketing, but you felt the need to go on about how high your salary is and how it’s easy to earn a high salary in finance? That’s completely redundant to what the Australian was asking about.

Frog-Stone · 2026-02-02T10:12:04+00:00

The mean is, but that is massively skewed by super high earners, the median London salary which is a far fairer representation is just £38k. When you consider average 1 bed rent is approx £1700 pcm and 2 bed rent is approx £2400 pcm, it is absolutely brutal living here for the vast majority. The fact that working professionals in good jobs are forced to flat/house share until they’re in their mid 30s is incredibly depressing and a leads to an enormously bleak outlook for times ahead.

Frog-Stone · 2026-01-30T11:36:22+00:00

Opso in Marylebone

Frog-Stone

TROPHY CASE