Being able to walk to the high street vs having a garden

Bigger house and a garden, esp with two young children.

I have no garden. I have most shops within ten minutes walk. Would not change that.

I have two parks and a common within walking distance too.

The parking would be a bigger issue for me than either the walking or the garden, presuming you wouldn’t be doing away with a car altogether if you lived near the shops.

The terrace may be within walking distance to useful shops at the moment, but what if your favourite one closes down, or stops stocking the things you like? What if you want to buy a lot and can’t carry it all so you end up driving to a different supermarket for your main shop anyway?

I’ve lived just off a busy high street and I did like the convenience of having shops nearby but I also had a garden and parking there. I now live about 2 miles from the nearest food shop, so it’s ok to walk for a couple of items but I always pick up too much and regret it about half way home when the carrier bag handles are cutting into my fingers. Walking to the shops is overrated!

Having a garden to enjoy and your own parking spot is much more important to me.

Terrace, as long as it has at least a yard to hang laundry.

However, I would not like to live a car centric lifestyle.

It will depend on your lifestyle
I cant imagine not being able to dry the washing outside , a bit of light gardening, bbq, chucking the kids outside for a play etc.

We live in London and have sacrificed the garden and parking to be here, and it’s fine! We have a patio so have some nice pots, can squeeze in a paddling on hot days and fit 4 for a drink - it’s manageable and it’s the trade off to be here because we’d have to go miles out to get more space which would impact stuff like schools and commutes. But in your case, what do you see yourself gaining out of being close to the high street? If (for example) you’re at work 5 days a week, do most of your shopping online, don’t really eat out in the restaurants much because kids at those age are a PITA, babysitter to go to the bars in a monthly thing and you could budget for a taxi but you would see the kids using the garden most days, having family over for bbqs etc then I’d choose the garden. But you know your lifestyle best!

Parking and having no garden would get on my tits daily. Getting in the car to amenities would get on my tits weekly. I'd go for the parking and garden 100%.

We are rural with a fab garden but I personally would rather be able to walk places. Dh and neighbour are the complete opposite and would happily garden/ sit outside and never set foot in a park/ go for a walk etc. it’s totally down to you op. Saying that no parking and no garden at all would be a deal breaker for me

edited to add my biggest fear in life is the older kids deciding to walk out here by themselves, the road is a death trap and also they’re going to have to learn to drive asap to get around if they want a job BUT it keeps them from hanging around town so pluses and minuses

DC that age, definitely garden. If they were teenagers, would choose high street.

You would have to pay me to live in a house without its own parking and with no garden. And even then I probably wouldn't do it.

But only you know what you would prefer, so decide based on what works for you.

With kids that age I'd go for the garden and parking.

Parking would be my big consideration. I lived near town with on road parking many years ago and it was fine. Not sure it would be now with more cars on the road.

Are you a person who enjoys walking, or are you quite happy to get in the car?

I don't particularly like driving and I like getting out for walks so I'd choose the one within walking distance of stuff. But I think I'd be in the minority. Most people round me who could very easily walk to the high street drive anyway.

Could there be a cycle option with the house further away? Could you cycle to the high street/ amenities etc if you're without the DC. Then you have a bit of exercise potential.

Garden absolutely. Wouldn't you prefer to just open your doors for the kids to play out rather than always having to walk out somewhere?

I wouldn't want to live anywhere with no outside space but would sacrifice an actual garden for walking distance amenities. If there was no where to sit out at all I wouldn't buy a property.

We had to make the same choice 30 years ago! We went for the terrace house , a short walk to all amenities and train station. No regrets with this decision, although we did have a small garden, rather than no garden.

Bigger house and garden every time. The only time I would consider losing a garden to be close to a highstreet is if I was unable to drive for medical reasons. How much time do you spend driving to the shops versus being in your home/garden