Nice big house? Or small, average house on the beach?

[SharingMichelle]

We rent. We aren't in UK.

Right now we are in a nice big house. It's nothing special really (quite old and ugly) but we love it and it really is big. Endless rooms and plenty of space.

We are on the point of moving into a much smaller house, also old and nothing special, but right on the beach.

It will be great for the kids, loads of their friends live in walking distance (bit isolated here), it will mean walking the dog, running, bike rides etc all on a beautiful beach instead of round the houses where we are now. Local cafes, bars, shops (nothing here). Bigger garden.

About the same distance for school / work.

I'm not sure why I'm having a wobble. I'm sure it's the right thing to do but suddenly I'm wanting to bury my head in the sand and stay where we are. I love this house. I love having room for a deep freeze. I like it here. Oh...

[Vixxfacee]

I would LOVE to live on a beach!

[JugglingBabies]

It seems to me there are more perks for you and the kids with the beach house, although smaller. You'll probably spend less time indoors there anyway. I'm ways jittery before we move house, I think it's just the unknown

[jalopyjane]

Location is so important - definitely the beach house! Not just because of the beach but for all the other reasons you mentioned.

[Wanderingwondering]

Beach house. As long as it's not ridiculously small ie are there enough bedrooms for everyone? Somewhere you can keep outdoor gear and beach stuff?

[EnormousDormouse]

I'm abroad too. I chose an older apartment 5 min from the beach rather than a brand new apartment in the middle of the city. I jog along the beach at sunrise. I detour down beach road on the way to/from work just to look at the sea. Do it!!!

[Fraggled]

Beach. Every single time!

[JeffreySadsacIsUnwell]

Personally I wouldn't want a beach house. However, I'd go for the beach house for:
Friends within walking distance
Cafes and shops
Non-isolated
Bigger garden

Unless the downsides of the smaller space are that the DC have to share rooms when previously they had their own, or there's not enough space for a dining table anywhere so you all end up eating your food off your lap, or no spare bedroom (assuming that you get visiting friends and family a fair bit). I'd also be put off going from 2 bathrooms to 1, if that's the case, as the location might be outweighed by extra time getting everyone ready for school/work.

Basically the advantages of the beach house are all leisure-related, but you haven't really given much information on functional living - everyday life. How much of your time is leisure and how much school/work? Do you both work? Would proximity of shops make your life easier for last-minute dinner purchases? How many DC? What ages? Would you let them run around on a beach by themselves? (Mine are 6 and 4, whilst I let them tear around the local small park with their friends, there's no way they'd have any independence next to the sea!) Will they have space to do homework? If you drive, is there anywhere to park a car? Where will you store the bikes?

[hellsbells99]

Could you put an old caravan in the garden to give you some extra space?

[barkingfly]

beach!

[Glittershoes22]

House vs location, I think most people tend to think location is more important. I have always been about the house and for me a big house is a joy, I love love space. The thought of downsizing to a smaller house where I'm closer to neighbours fills me with horror at the moment, been there done that it drove me mad (parking, party walls, screaming kids, neighbours fag smoke drifting over the garden wall when enjoying a glass of wine)! Most OPs seem to fall in the location category and I guess you need to decide if you do to! Priorities change over the years, but do what feels right for you x

[ApologiesToInsectLife]

Beach. There's no contest.
It's sounds like it will improve your quality of life and that's priceless.

[PigletJohn]

There are downsides to living on a beach. Your car and lawnmower will rust away quickly due to the salt spray, the storms will tear your roof off, your windows will always be misty, and your hair will always be frizzy.

Depending what country you are in, the cold, wet, windy winters may be longer than the balmy summers.

[FuckyNell]

I really want to know where you live!

[AgathaF]

Beach house. It has everything going for it apart from the space.

[Helloandgoodbye]

Big houses are overrated. All show and no substance unless filled with lots of lovely kids. In my humble opinion.

[irregularegular]

I think that having friends and other facilities within walking distance is really important - especially as children get old enough to be a bit independent. I put a huge weight on that. We could buy and amazing house if we moved outside the well-equipped village that we live in now, but it's not worth it.

On the other hand, when you say small - how small? There is a limit.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

The key for me here is "we rent".

If you don't like it you can always move again can't you?

I'd take the beach too provided that there was no risk of the house being washed away, security risks, or safety risks to my kids. I find the sound of the sea very soothing even when the weather is bad.

[JeffreySadsacIsUnwell]

Haha, looks like PigletJohn and I are on the same page for the same reasons! I wasn't thinking lawnmower though, or frizzy hair, but I was also thinking salt and wind damage, plus potentially flooding, plus gardening in coastal areas is more difficult - I'd like the big garden, but not if I couldn't grow anything in it!

[SharingMichelle]

All of the 'hearts' saying beach. Two 'heads' giving jolly sensible considerations.

While the beach house is small, it's not tiny. There's a bedroom each for the kids but no guest room - one of the kids will have to vacate in case of guests. There are enough bathrooms. I'm not bothered about frizzy hair!! And there's space enough outside for kayaks and beach stuff. No lawnmower to worry about and no cold, wet winters.

I think it probably is the right move - I'm just surprised my heart doesn't think so. Perhaps I need to get there and make it home.

Dh and I both work, and the kids do long days - it will mean more time spent exercising and being outside if it's right on our doorstep. Dh will swim in the sea every day after work.

I'm a bit apprehensive about having neighbours and being part of a community. I'm just going to have to get on with it I think - I'm fairly antisocial, but I do believe that the kids being able to 'play out' without Whatsapp arranged playdates is priceless.

Oh, and I'll have to sell my chest freezer. No room for that :/

[AimUnder]

Your DH will swim in it every day.

I would move just for that. It sounds like it'd increase the quality of your life, and that is so worth it

[Pootles2010]

Could you not get a big shed thing in your big garden? My freezer lives in the garage. I'd vote for beach, because you live somewhere warm so spend more time outdoors than we do here.

[CobblerBob]

Beach beach beach every time. I lived on a beach for two years. I swam every day (when it was cool enough). Beach living is fabulous.

[jalopyjane]

Ah but I'm saying beach with head not heart - I think the beach location, nearby friends and facilities and bigger garden outweigh the huge house you currently have.

[Glastokitty]

I'm in a three bedroomed house ( for three of us) with a massive garden ( and pool) , five minutes walk to this beach. It is utter heaven. I'd say the chances of swimming every day are slim though, everyone that moves to the beach thinks they will but few do. I do love being able to go for a swim and a beach picnic after work on very hot days though. I lived near the beach as a kid ( in NI) and always yearned to live near it again, so I'm very happy now.