we never had any issue with dust from exposed concrete blocks but a bigger issue is that unless there's two separate walls of single blocks with air space between for external walls NOT a double sized concrete block there's no way of avoiding heat transfer through the concrete and a hair line crack in mortar allows rain to penetrate...we loved the concrete blocks but make sure you consider effective waterproofing and insulation ...we had to render the outside and line inside with waterproof plasterboard but the heat still came through the external walls

Hi @oklouise we are looking at buying a besser brick house, not sure if double or single block walls. Did you ever investigate insulating the outside and recladding? That would turn it into a sort of reverse brick veneer with the thermal mass prevented from bridging.

over the years we owned the besser block house we added various enclosed verandahs and extensions but never added external cladding to any of the exposed besser block walls but i would have liked to have tried the reverse brick veneer concept but would the standard hollow double blocks be effective?? but we never found the professional advice needed to ensure the process wouldn't create unknown problems with condensation etc and, the extra external cladding would also create challenges finishing around windows in the thicker walls (ie besser block + external cladding) so a lot of extra labour expensive alterations but, if the proposed new home is in a great location at a great price, it could still be worth considering..we now live in a double brick home and there is a very distinct heat sink effect as you can feel the heat being released from the inside walls from late afternoon but i have no memory of that affect in the besser block house so maybe the hollow double blocks aren't as effective as solid bricks but perhaps the new phase changing paint would help improve the effect...would love to know the best options and best of luck with your choice