easiest age to move at?

[hlr1987]

We bought our house 4 years ago intending it to be a family home up to 2 children (it has 3 double rooms so on paper works). My first child is now 6 months and I've realised that its annoying to say the least, the galley kitchen is too small for all the baby stuff we now have, the house has lots of raised tiles/ fireplaces/ wooden floors (its a Victorian terrace in a nice area of the city) and the loft bedroom can fit a guest bed but not much else so realistically isn't good for a second child. My husband is really resistant to the idea of moving, he wants to stay here until we have a second child (so another 2-3 years by his timeline) and doesn't get why I'm getting annoyed by space issues that never used to bother me. My view is that it's probably easier to move with a younger baby, and that once I'm back in work it'll be harder to save up with child care eating all my paycheck (I earn about £40 a week on top of nursery costs). His take is that if we move out the city for a bigger house I'll be paying to commute and we'll earn even less. Anyone regretted moving to a bigger, more out of the way house? Will I not mind the space issues when I'm back in work? Has anyone moved with younger vs older kids?

[minipie]

Sorry I'm with your DH

I think once you're back at work the space issues will bother you much less and the commute will bother you much more (even an extra 20 minutes commute can make a lot of difference to how much time - especially quality time before they are tired - you get with them).

If you are in an area you really like which has good child facilities and friends then I think that will be much more important to you over the next few years than extra space. Being within walking distance to activities, shops etc rather than having to drive everywhere is also much better IMO in the pre school years. Of course if your current area is not child friendly then the picture is different but if you bought it intending as a family house then I assume the area is family friendly?

Yes it probably is a bit easier to move with a younger baby but that's a pretty small issue and shouldn't be a deciding factor really. I think you'll have a much better idea of what you really need and want from a house and area once you have a slightly older child. And you'll also have a better idea of your work situation/childcare costs/budget.

What's the problem with raised tiles, fireplaces and wooden floors? Wooden floors are much more practical than carpets with a toddler...

[hlr1987]

She's started to roll into everything sharp and pointy, so we've had to stick rugs everywhere lol. The commute would be easier for me if we moved, I've got a 40 min walk or hour bus (odd routes) vs a 25 minute train where I'm looking. His issue is that it costs me nothing to walk but I'm a bit miserable at the idea of getting home later than him each day after my walk (his job finishes earlier too). Both areas are nice, child friendly and have our friends atm, I'm looking at an area that some friends and family have moved to already. I get that I wont mind the lack of space as much when I'm out the house.

[puggymummy1]

My DCs have moved regularly at a range of ages from aged 3. It's never been a problem. Only, the older they are, the more say they've had. We are moving again and they are 16 and 17 and we have let them be part of the decision process. Hope that helps.

[minipie]

Ah ok didn't realise your commute would actually be shorter. And sounds like both areas are equal re child facilities and friends. In that case it's much more equal.

Some other factors - would you have to drive more in the new area? might nursery be cheaper? Would you be able to buy a long term place in the new area (in school catchment etc) if you moved now, or would you have to/want to move again in a few years?

[Kiwiinkits]

Things that really matter when you have children and want to work:

• The commute to and from school and post-school activities
  
• The commute to work
  
• The proximity to services like supermarkets, medical centres and parks
  
  Things that don't matter until they're about 10:
  
• Sharing a room
  
  Every micro-second you save on your commute time is like GOLD, believe me.

[poocatcherchampion]

We moved for similar reasons. I never loved the kitchen of the Victorian terrace but it was awful with a baby. I was dragging the highchair in and out all the time.

The stairs were narrow and steep ans there were many fireplaces etc. Also a pointless attic conversion too.

Never been happier out the city ans in a big plain house. But I am less about the work as I've got 3 now and am planning to give up!