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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want to live in deceased MIL's house?

158 replies

DesTeeny · 18/06/2024 19:17

Very long story short, but MIL was very unpleasant to me whilst alive (she has recently died, and FIL died many years ago). We are very fortunate that MIL has left us her house, and DH wants to move in.

I really don't want to, I have nothing but upsetting memories there, especially of MIL being very threatening towards me, but DH is saying it's his family home and he doesn't want to sell it, he wants to live there and will not be swayed. He lived there from age 5-25, when he moved into our current home.

We'd 'gain' nothing by moving there, it's almost exactly the same as our current home (which is too small for us) and is less than 500 yards away from our house. Granted there is a downstairs toilet, but we'd lose a driveway and have to park on the (very busy) road.

AIBU to stand my ground a bit and ask that we buy a house together that is our family home, rather than moving into his mother's (we will have enough money to buy a much larger house, and still put money aside for our children)? I moved into his home before this (gave him some money to make it equal), and have never chosen my own home. I'd like us to find a family home together that is better suited to our needs rather than trying to shoehorn our family into a house which is no bigger, no better, than the one we have currently.

YABU - Let him live in his family home
YANBU - You deserve to find your own family's home

OP posts:
sprigatito · 18/06/2024 19:30

No. If one half of a couple hates it, it's off the table. If he is so arrogant as to think he has the right to insist, then he can move there on his own. Dickhead.

PCcrisps · 18/06/2024 19:29

Is this a recent bereavement? They say you shouldn't make big decisions for at least 12 months. I'd stay where you are for now and hopefully he'll see sense when some time has passed.

Hatty65 · 18/06/2024 19:29

I would stand my ground. I don't care if he 'won't be swayed', I'd be telling him 'There is absolutely no way I'm moving into that house and I won't be blackmailed into living somewhere that has unhappy memories for me. My suggestion is that we find a house together that we like if you are adamant about moving from here'.

He needs to accept that one person in a couple doesn't get to make the decisions. It has to be a compromise.

Blackbeardsvest · 18/06/2024 19:28

I get very attached to houses but even I think this is a bad idea. Quite apart from the unpleasant association for you it sounds like you would be actively worse off (no parking) with no extra living space to compensate. I do understand DH's emotional connection to the place but the practical has to outweigh that in this instance I think and that's what I would focus my arguments on in your shoes, there is no winner in the good/bad associations side of this.

Autumcolors · 18/06/2024 19:27

This is emotional for him not practical.
I think that is how I would be approaching it.
You might have to be quite careful.
He could get very upset and dig his heels in.
The family home should be a place where both of your feel comfortable.
yanbu

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 18/06/2024 19:25

Obviously you are not being unreasonable.

How recently did your MIL die? Your husband is grieving. I'd be tempted to park the subject for a while if you can.

ZenNudist · 18/06/2024 19:24

No driveway and busy road are deal breakers. Stop making it about unpleasant memories and start making it about what is practical.

Wowjustwow99 · 18/06/2024 19:21

I'd want to find a family home which was yours !

No driveway is a deal breaker for me.
After a long day at work coming home with the kids and having to park half a mile from my house. No not going to happen!