Is location really the most important thing?

[llemma]

Having a bit of a house buying quandry/ massive argument with OH.

We're looking at two properties,

no1 is a duplex, quite big but not a lot of rooms (huge kitchen/ living room and 2 big bed rooms) it's where we live now- hipster bit near city centre and we both walk to work.

No 2 is a house, lots more rooms and space plus a garden but is a bit out from the city/work. Couldn't walk it but 5 mins walk from train station and train takes 10 mins to city centre.

OH has his heart set on living only in the area we live in now, whereas i'd much prefer a garden plus a spare bedroom as we're expecting our first dc and my parents and siblings live a long way from us so would like somewhere to put them up that isn't the baby's room.

What do people think about location vs actual property, which is really more important?

[gluteustothemaximus]

Location is key but only if talking big house shit area or small house nice area.

But you're talking about location to work? If only 15 minutes, then would go for the bigger house.

[anotherdayanothersquabble]

There is always a compromise. Location versus size in this case. With a child on the way... spare bedroom and garden would win it for me. Otherwise you will move again in 2 years...

[Riderontheswarm]

The first one will soon be too small for your growing family. This would be an easy decision for me. And 15 minutes to work is great. I wouldn't want to live too close to work. I like to leave it behind in the evenings and weekends.

[Honeyandfizz]

What about schools? Facilities for children? This is a massive factor for parents.

[museumum]

Location is key.
But what makes a good location with kids is very different to without. What are schools and parks like? What. Vance have they of having friends close by? Hipster you f professionals are maybe not the neighbours you'll really value after you have kids.

[Doowappydoo]

Agree that if you go for the duplex you'll end up moving again in 2 years. I'd go for the second house.

Its a cliche but it's true - your social life changes once you start having dcs and the hipster city centre area might not seem as appealing. This happened to us - we loved living in the city centre, had our pfb and were then horrified by all the drunk people who had the temerity to be loud on the street outside her bedroom.

[heffalumpshavewrinkles]

What is area 2 like though? Is travel to work the only (tiny) compromise? I can't imagine having a toddler in a flat with no garden, but I know people do

[Dishwashersaurous]

Echo schools, otherwise you will need to move again in four years.

Also do you think that you might want more children? Are both properties big enough for that.

Plan on being somewhere for ten years

[GwenQuinn]

As someone with a toddler and one on the way in a flat, I'd go for the garden and extra room no contest.

15 minutes is nothing, we'll be moving an hour away when we go to buy just so we can have a house with a garden.

[Kiroro]

I went for house+garden in zone 3 over 2 bed flats in zone 2... so I choose space over location.

[PragmaticWench]

Don't forget there are costs to moving, especially if you are buying and selling, so you might want to think about what space and how many rooms you'd need in the next five to ten years. Also consider nurseries and schools.

[CazP2013]

Location every time - close to the centre means a short commute, easy to go out with friends or fit in a post-work drink and still be home by bedtime. We have x 2 DC and live in the centre of London. Suburbs fill me claustrophobic horror, stuck in a dull clique of "mum" friends, day in day out at the same playgrounds!

[trixymalixy]

Location is definitely the most important thing, but your OH isn't thinking ahead.

Location when your a parent is almost 100% school determined. You really need to think ahead and what school you want your DC to go to.

It'd be nuts to buy a property now and then have to move in 3 or 4 years time to be in school catchment.

[namechangedtoday15]

Yes, location is key.

But the question is what makes one location better than another. What you want from a location as a young carefree working full time hipster is completely different from what you class as a fan location when you have a young family.

Agree that schools are the most important factor once you have children (unless you're going private and don't need to worry about catchments) and you dont want to move in 3-4 years, plus child friendly activities / classes, ability to make mum friends, nurseries, house big enough to accommodate baby/child crap equipment / toys, a garden. Surburbia doesn't necessarily equal dull (especially if only 10 mins out of centre) and you will love having an extra room for relatives if they're willing to come to stay to help.

[bubblefruit]

Location is definitely the most important thing for us. Different people want different things though and it sounds like you and your OH will have to compromise one way or another. Personally I like the buzz and convenience of city centre living, and I still enjoy the social life despite having a young family. Luckily DH is the same and we'd never contemplate moving out to suburbia. We only have a 2 bed flat but it's in zone 1 and being within walking distance to work makes the working day much more pleasant.

[pinkdelight]

Sounds like it may be tied up with his fears of life changing with first DC, as much to do with identity as location. All the logical things say you're absolutely right, but he could feel like in the flat he can still keep the city hipster vibe and not be subsumed by the grown up family world. I get that. It's bloody terrifying. But you're still right - the house makes total sense and you would regret the maisonette with DC if you had the option of a house. The extra space and family facilities will be a godsend. His life is gonna change and it makes sense to make the move now. Is there anything that can help - like, is the house in a dull suburban area or are there still some nice pubs, cafs, shops around? You may be able to find a compromise in an area that has parents similar to you.

[Notonthestairs]

We had to move twice when our kids were young and its a pain in the backside as well as very expensive and disruptive.

I know its dull but when you are spending a lot of money you do need a 5 - 10 year plan - think about schools, childcare, nurseries, parks, toddler groups, weekend stuff as well as work stuff. Prams in the hall, space for a climbing frame etc. Babies don't need a lot of space but children benefit from it IME.

[Whatthefoxgoingon]

I'd pick the location for space. I live in zone 2 London, living in a smaller house in zone 1 wouldn't work for us as we prefer the bigger house and garden.

If the connections are good (road, rail, tube) then it's fine living away from the centre. The pollution is reduced too!