which house should I buy?? (sorry long)

[melmelly]

Hi, I am struggling to decide which house to buy and appreciate any comments!
The reason for the move is for my son?s schooling. I love the area we live and there are two schools I am thinking of. The school A is a dream school but the catchment is (therefore) very small. The school B is also good and nearby, they accept pupils outside their catchment area.

Within catchment of both school A and B. It is good size (although the current owner accumulates the whole house with stuff!!!! Need complete renovation) but very small garden which is backed on to an industrial estate. The estate seems to be mainly storage units and offices rather than smoky factories. The garden looked quite shady. The end of garden is covered with trees/bushes so that the units are not visible but you can see some of it from both neighbours? gardens. However, I have an allotment in the area and feel I can manage without big garden. (At the moment I live in first floor flat without garden, so can?t imagine how large a garden needs to be to feel ?big enough?)

10min drive from where I live, catchment for school B only. The house is situated in a beautiful location, walking distance from rural village. The house is slightly bigger than house A but much larger garden. But if I move to this area, I need to give up my allotment? (yes, I am very attached to it)

Do you think it is better to give my son at least a chance to get to the ?dream school A? and put up with garden/Location issues? Or do you think it is more important to have home where we can be comfortable in living and compromise with son?s school which is good enough?

[JarethTheGoblinKing]

Schoo/Housel B.

From your description of the area of House A it sounds like you've made your mind up already and just need confirmation.

[madhattershouse]

House b sounds better. You need a home you are happy with and as long as school b is not truly awful it would be better to bring your dc up in a home that has the outside space children crave!

[Karbea]

School b\second house. Good luck.

[kitsmummy]

House B. I think House A will always struggle to sell with the factory and garden issues (despite it being in dream catchment area)

[donnie]

I disagree and would go for house A. You will easily re-sell because it is in the catchment for the dream school. Catchment is everything!!

[lalalonglegs]

House A. You don't need loads of garden if you have an allotment and a dream school will mean it's always sellable.

[LawrieMarlow]

Is the dream school your perception of it or just based on Ofsted reports etc?

[melmelly]

Hi Thanks everyone for replies.
It is interesting that many of you though the house B would be a good choice.
I have been to both properties and see how I feel about it?. Still thinking!

LawrieMarlow,
The description 'the dream school' is based on number of reasons. The Ofstead is actually Grade 2 but the results of Key Stage 2 Level 5 are English 68%, Math 81%, and Science 86%. - I think it is quite good result??
I teach musical instrument privately and has pupils from the school who all know HOW to work. - It is a joy to teach these kids who actually enjoy learning. I guess that why I call a dream school. However, a lot of them will go to grammar schools after and these places are sometimes described as 'hothouse'. There might be some sort of expectation to do well for the kids from this school. One of my friends who is much older than me send all her four children to this school and she (as my son?s godmother) strongly recommends it. Maybe my view is influenced by her as well.

[LawrieMarlow]

I think House B sounds better too, but would strongly advise you to visit the "dream school" if you haven't already done so, to see whether it is where you would like your DC to go. I agree that the SATs results at the end of Key Stage 2 sound v good indeed, but SATs results aren't everything and you need to know it would be the right school for your children.

[narmada]

House B sounds better to me - are you planning to move again when your DS is at secondary age? If so, I would check that the house/s is/ are in catchment for a decent secondary too, otherwise you'll be forced to move again.

[narmada]

that should have read, 'if not'

[libelulle]

House b. School issues aside, dont underestimate the delights of a bigger garden! Our last house had a tiny garden and I didn't think I was that fussed about garden size when we were househunting - we had an allotment too. But actually we ended up moving to a house with a really big garden and I LOVE it! I still wander round it in amazement and delight. Have given up allotment without a second glance:)

[melmelly]

Hi, thanks for more comments!

I have made a visit to school B but have not done it with the school A (One of my list of things to do). It is not easy to decide what is the ?right school?? There are some good secondary schools in the area both house A and B ? if my son can get in there :o
Hopefully I don't have to move again for a while after this housemove.


Libelulle,
It is interesting to hear that you were happy to let your allotment go when finding the right house (and the garden). It is amazing how much I became attached to my allotment as if I was a farmer in my previous-life or something.


Well, thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts, it helped me thinking about this from different angles.