u/Direct-Response578

I'm travelling to Shanghai for 5 days next month from the UK. Recently had a eye test here and quickly realised, glasses are very expensive, even when I wanna just reglaze them using my existing frames.

Was wondering if there are options to replace lenses as a tourist with a prescription that I got recently in the UK. And also how much it would cost roughly, hoping to get transition lenses with all the coatings like anti scratch, anti smudge, anti fog and so forth.

Got a pair of Loake's Sedburghs boots which are goodyear welted. I wear them in the city and they're quite comfortable especially when I need to walk along cobbled streets.

Recently the soles have gotten quite slippery on smooth surfaces. Was hoping to get them resoled from a Cobbler with something like a Vibram sole which is rugged enough where I can take it hiking and good enough to start somewhat smart and for the city.

Would anyone have any cobbler recommendations? Would prefer someone in the city centre if possible. I had a look at Timpsons online but saw people had various experiences from store to store so perhaps some first hand experience from a particular store would help too!

I am 24M, a solo first time buyer and I originally had my eye set for a flat and was prepared to put down an offer after a 2nd viewing but then the vendor pulled it off the market.

Context:

This flat was first listed in December 2025 at £350k and it was reduced to £325k at around April time. I had viewed the flat for the first time around June time and after the viewing asked quite a few questions in person such as if the flat is pet friendly, service charge history, if the listed charged included insurance and so forth which the estate agent said they will email me back.

After a week later of no response (not even a check up for an offer), I emailed them the questions which on the same day, they said they will forward to the vendor.

I then waited another week with no response and again emailed them for answers which was ghosted and it was until 3-4 weeks after I had the first viewing, I finally got answers for my questions. At this time, as the flat ticked all my priorities and I really liked it, I decided to book a 2nd viewing which the vendor agreed would take place tomorrow (20/07/2026) as I wanted to check it out with a friend as well.

However few days ago on Friday (17/07/2026), 2 days after confirming the 2nd viewing, I received an email from the estate agent saying the vendor no longer wishes to sell and has pulled the listing off the market.

TLDR: It took ages to get responses from the Estate Agent for questions regarding the flat, booked a 2nd viewing a month after the 1st viewing. And vendor decided to cancel the 2nd viewing 3 days before and pulled if off the market.

My opinion:
I really liked the flat and did see myself living there. However after checking online and doing those quick automatic valuations on Zoopla/Rightmove (which I know are inaccurate but are a okay baseline). I did think the flat was way way overvalued, more realistically around £275,000 which is what I was planning to offer after the 2nd viewing.

Now that the vendor has pulled it off the market, I'm wondering if:

1. If the vendor pulled out because the estate agents were so unresponsive (atleast from what I can tell on my side)
2. It'll be a good idea to send a letter and say I'll be willing to put down an offer.
3. If I do write a letter, how should I go about it as no estate agents will be involved.

Currently 24 years old on a salary + bonus that gets me around £50k a year. I am looking to buy just for myself, my first property where I am currently renting a 1 bed flat in a city centre for £1100 and don't own a car (will probably buy in 3-5 years and already have a license).

After a couple years of saving, I am able to put down a £31,500 deposit for my home purchase. I am looking to stay near the city centre (I've decided this is my top priority) and I'm currently deciding between 2 approaches.

Approach A: Buy from 33%-50% of a shared ownership 3 bed house

Market value: £425,000

Total monthly payment: ~£1200 (Mortgage + rent + other charges)

Parking: 1 car

Outdoor space: Garden

Approach B: Buy a cheaper 2 bed flat outright

Market value: Would be <£290,000

Monthly budget: ~£1200 (Mortgage + service charge + ground rent)

Parking: 1 car

Outdoor space: Wrap around winter balcony

I would be looking to buy initially with a 40 year term, but for the shared ownership mortgage, I could afford to go 30 year.

Which would you pick?

Currently 24 years old on a salary + bonus that gets me around £50k a year. I am looking to buy just for myself, my first property where I am currently renting a 1 bed flat in a city centre for £1100 and don't own a car (will probably buy in 3-5 years and already have a license).

After a couple years of saving, I am able to put down a £31,500 deposit for my home purchase. I am looking to stay near the city centre (I've decided this is my top priority) and I'm currently deciding between 2 approaches.

Approach A: Buy from 33%-50% of a shared ownership 3 bed house

Market value: £425,000

Total monthly payment: ~£1200 (Mortgage + rent + other charges)

Parking: 1 car

Outdoor space: Garden

Approach B: Buy a cheaper 2 bed flat outright

Market value: Would be <£290,000

Monthly budget: ~£1200 (Mortgage + service charge + ground rent)

Parking: 1 car

Outdoor space: Wrap around winter balcony

I would be looking to buy initially with a 40 year term, but for the shared ownership mortgage, I could afford to go 30 year.

Which would you pick?

Currently 24 years old on a salary + bonus that gets me around £50k a year. I am looking to buy just for myself, my first property where I am currently renting a 1 bed flat in a city centre for £1100 and don't own a car (will probably buy in 3-5 years and already have a license).

After a couple years of saving, I am able to put down a £31,500 deposit for my home purchase. I am looking to stay near the city centre (I've decided this is my top priority) and I'm currently deciding between 2 approaches.

Approach A: Buy from 33%-50% of a shared ownership 3 bed house

Market value: £425,000

Total monthly payment: ~£1200 (Mortgage + rent + other charges)

Parking: 1 car

Outdoor space: Garden

Approach B: Buy a cheaper 2 bed flat outright

Market value: Would be <£290,000

Monthly budget: ~£1200 (Mortgage + service charge + ground rent)

Parking: 1 car

Outdoor space: Wrap around winter balcony

I would be looking to buy initially with a 40 year term, but for the shared ownership mortgage, I could afford to go 30 year.

Which would you pick?

I've been using snoop mainly to track my current accounts and fancy using a budget app that can keep track of all my finances, i.e. trading 212 stocks, pension and so forth.

I understand that alot of the data I'll need to import manually and it's only bank current accounts that can be automatically synced.

As I look for budget apps online like Emma and YNAB. I'm shocked by the subscription prices and found out there's self hosted options too like actual budget and sure finances which is good for me as I already have a home server.

Was wondering if anyone uses them and if they're able to automatically sync with the UK banks (and possibly other services too?)

I'm a solo FTB 23M, with a annual salary of around 50k including bonuses and currently living in Manchester City Centre in a flat with £1100 per month rent. Work is in the city centre so I currently don't own a car and don't plan to buy one for the next 3 years atleast (Already have a license tho).

I'm currently evaluating the 2 options strictly on financial facts and on what would make more sense financially. I will be planning to live in both places for about 5-10 years. And both options will be funded by a 31k deposit. Here are the 2 options:

• £200k, 2 bed flat in Manchester city centre (building across from where I am currently)
  • 30 year mortgage at 4.41% for 5 years ~£847 a month
  • Full mortgage repay ~ £305,015
  • Just over 100 year lease (would plan to extend before selling)
  • £310 per month service charge (Building management has a good record of not drastically increasing, called Block living)
  • £250 per year ground rent
  • Option to rent a car space for about £110 per month in the building
  • Council tax band D ~ £144 per month
  • Total per month ~ £1322 (not including car space)
• 3 bed leasehold house in Salford (new build 5ish years ago)
  • 40 year mortgage at 4.41% for 5 years ~ £1200 per month (using FTB boost at 5.5x salary)
  • Full mortgage repay ~ £573,005
  • 240 years left on lease
  • Annual service charge of £57.20
  • Peppercorn ground rent
  • Council tax band A ~ £108
  • Would need a bus pass ~£80 per month
  • Total per month ~ £1393

Wondering which one people would choose strictly on financial facts. Although the general sense I get from people online is to go for the house because no service charge, if I am strictly deciding between the 2 options above, assuming everything stays the same, the interest saved from going on a 30 year repayment plan on a cheaper property over the 40 year more than outweighs the negative of going with the flat. Also a house you would need to fix yourself while a flat is maintained via the service charge.

What do you think?