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Property/DIY

Buy in town or estate?

12 replies

Fleabagster · 13/08/2020 08:29

I am used to living on the edge of a small-ish town, can walk in in 20 minutes and I love that. Now looking to buy a home and assumed we would only consider town but having seen how much more our money would buy us on an estate (not council) 10 minutes drive away, I’m starting to wobble. Our children will be at the start of secondary school when we move there and it would mean they have to get bus in rather than walk, and I can’t help thinking being in town is better for teens. Having said that, it’s so near by and it’s a big estate with lots of families, so lots of the kids will be doing the same. Do we go for character and convenience of town, or a house twice the size, backing onto countryside on an estate?

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SkiingIsHeaven · 13/08/2020 08:43

Only you know what suits your family.

I live in the countryside. I like peace and walking. My friend with similar aged kids is a city girl. She loves the hustle and bustle. I couldn't live where she lives and she couldn't live here.

What do the family like?

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Ellmau · 13/08/2020 08:50

What's the garden like? Estate houses tend to have smaller plots.

You can't rely on that countryside view not getting built on.

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JoJoSM2 · 13/08/2020 08:50

They’re slightly different lifestyles. Does the estate have a good bus service? Would it be possible for teens to ride a bike to the town centre easily?

For me it would also depend on the local amenities. Are there any within walking distance of the estate or would be need to drive for a pint of milk?

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Fleabagster · 13/08/2020 08:51

I love the countryside too but I think it’s so much easier with teens if they can get themselves around. In a way, I think this estate is best of both worlds as you walk to open countryside but also be in town centre in 15 minutes. I think I could be happy enough anywhere, if I loved the house.

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Fleabagster · 13/08/2020 08:54

Gardens much bigger on the estate houses we are looking at - that’s what’s put us off all the town houses we’ve seen so far. Small and often no grass - why does everyone pave/concrète their garden these days?!
Yes, there is a shop, doctor, vet on estate and you can walk to a supermarket and gym easily. Not being able to walk to a decent pub or restaurant does put me off though - but we only eat out once a month usually anyway so driving somewhere (or taxi) isn’t really an issue. I think it’s more the character of town rather than an estate that I’d miss.

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keepingbees · 13/08/2020 08:58

Depends on your likes, dislikes and priorities. Would your children want country walls over going into town at their ages?
Estate houses can be crammed in, smaller gardens, overlooked and poorer build quality than older houses. But they are lower maintenance and warmer. Have you been round the estate on a weekend? Parking is often an issue on new estates when everyone is home.
I wouldn't buy on the basis of open countryside at the back as it could well be built on at any point in the future.
I think there's a lot to be said for being able to walk to amenities and school. Is there a good bus provision for getting to school? School buses can be cut if budgets are cut so that's a consideration if you couldn't get them to school yourself from there.

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JoJoSM2 · 13/08/2020 09:08

With the extra info, I’d pick the estate. It sounds like it has good amenities and you’ll get a much bigger house with a garden. And it wouldn’t make sense to move to a much small house to be closer to restaurants that you don’t need on a daily basis anyway.

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Fleabagster · 13/08/2020 09:11

The house we particularly like has a double garage and space for 2 cars on drive, plus it’s on a cul de sac of 5 houses so parking shouldn’t be too bad. You can walk to a nature reserve/country park in 5 minutes and yes there is a bus to town every 15 minutes (it’s right by a park and ride). Having said all that, my heart would still go with the town house! Viewing an estate house on Saturday and it’ll have to win my heart over.
Thanks for your replies. Interesting that most of you are not keen on estates!

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JoJoSM2 · 13/08/2020 09:23

Boils down to head vs heart. The estate makes a lot more sense but yes, they aren’t known for being charming.

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Darkestseasonofall · 13/08/2020 10:31

We moved to the suburbs to have dc.
The things we were using in town just weren't as important to us anymore, things like parking / garden / safe area became more important.
Our estate is full of children so there are playmates a few doors down in every direction.
I don't think I'd like my dc having a town or city centre as their stomping ground as therein lays mischief.

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Youngatheart00 · 13/08/2020 10:33

I’d say town / local walkable suburb over ‘new’ estate on edge of time

We had experience of living on a lovely estate for a year (rented, DH was on a 12 month contract for a job) and we were miserable. Nothing in the locality to walk to despite it being a lovely home.