Help me weigh up pros and cons of moving please

[Itchyandscratchy]

I've got itchy feet (prob mid-life crisis) and am suddenly craving more fresh air and a VIEW.
We live in a nice residential area, (buzzing but village feel) in part of a city. Current house is Victorian and not poky but it's making me feel a bit cramped. No off-road parking and the parking in our road is getting worse. There are a couple of unfriendly neighbours who have lots of cars which they park inconsiderately, and also one of the houses opposite has been tuned into accommodation for students. But it's not a main road, our next door neighbours are fantastic and we are very near to schools, shops, reasonable walk to city centre. DH loves it and doesn't really want to move if he can help it. If we stayed I would want to extend the kitchen to create more light and space, but I'm wondering if that would be enough to make me stay put.

The house I have my eye on is 5 mins walk from where we are now. It's also on a much busier main road, BUT it has off-road parking and garage and the most amazing views at the back of the house looking over fields and to the river. It's slightly bigger than the house we're in (certainly in terms of square-footage) and we could afford it but obviously it would be a certain amount of hassle re-mortgaging and moving etc. DH would come round if I really wanted it.

Would the main road put you off, or would the view and space be worth it for you? And is moving after 15 years going to be a living nightmare?

[Waitingfordolly]

I would see how the main road felt inside the house and garden but it wouldn't automatically put me off. I thought about moving to where I am now for a few years and I had the sudden realisation one day that if I'd moved when I first wanted to I would have been settled and I didn't want to look back in another 4 years with the same regrets. Moving is stressful though, although you've already found a house - that was the bit most difficult for me!

[yellowflags]

A main road would put me off if I had pets or small children. Also depends how noisy it is at different times of the day and how it feels inside the house.

But moving is not just a hassle - it's also rely expensive. You will pay thousands in fees and stamp duty, so it has to be done for good reasons. Are your itchy feet really going to be solved by moving house? (Ps pictures of the house would help us decide!)

[Inthepalemoonlight]

I'd like to see pictures too. I think I prefer the sound of the second house. The parking in your current house would stress me out. The views in the second house could make a difference to how you feel when you are in the house. But moving is expensive so if you are happy where you are and don't need anything else then you should maybe stay.

[Itchyandscratchy]

Thank you. I have uploaded screenshot photo of the view.
My kids aren't little and there's a level crossing to get to school for both of them over the main road. We do have 2 cats though. They'd have to stay indoor for a few months. They are very cautious anyway and never stray out the front at our present house and prefer the garden at the back.
We can afford the move (I was left some money by my late dad) and I'm thinking like yellowflags and wondering if I'll regret not moving in 10 or 20 years' time (I'm late 40s).

[namechangedtoday15]

1. Can you hear the busy main road when you're in the garden?
   
2. If the fields at the back were developed, would you have any view? If not, do you know if they're protected?
   
3. Have you done your sums - estate agents commission / legal fees / movers / stamp duty? How much more expensive would your mortgage be?
   
4. Have you thought about moving before or is it just kind of a whim because this house has come on the market? Would you still want to move if you didn't get this house?

[Itchyandscratchy]

Sorry - was waitingfordolly who said about regrets.

[Itchyandscratchy]

All good questions.
Fields are protected - they flood regularly from river (but house is high up so is fine as far as that goes).
Am viewing this week so will be able to monitor traffic. I suspect noise won't be very bad as living area is at back of house. Would have to see what it's like from the bedrooms but it's double-glazed. I also have friends that live along that road so will ask them.
Haven't done detailed sums, just basic ones based on what our current house is probably worth.
Have thought about moving before but always thought I'd be better off extending this house. But I have started feeling very needy for space and views - it's always a deal-breaker for holidays these days too.
But must say - the thought of trying to tidy this house and keep it so are a headache.

[Inthepalemoonlight]

I can see why you want that view.