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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To move house for a drive way?

86 replies

MissHoneyPenny · 08/04/2025 20:14

DH says I’m being unreasonable to want to move house purely because we don’t have a driveway.

We have a lovely terraced house with a beautiful garden (front and back) in a lovely area but no driveway and no scope to create one either. Since having DCs (2 under 3) parking spaces or the lack of has been playing on my mind non stop. I hate not knowing if there will be a space available outside my house. I obsess over it and have been known to not go out to places because I don’t want the stress of losing my spot.

There is an unspoken agreement amongst most of our neighbours that we won’t park outside each others houses but there are always work vans, visitors, etc. who park up. To be clear, I know I do not own the space outside my house and I would never dream of being rude to anyone who did park outside my house.

If we did move to a bigger house with a driveway, we would most likely have to move to a cheaper area.

My DH says the parking situation doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

AIBU to want to move due to this?

OP posts:
Original poster
MissHoneyPenny · 08/04/2025 20:25

NewmummyJ · 08/04/2025 20:19

A driveway was a non negotiable for us. With 2 very small kids and the paraphernalia that comes with them getting in and out the car is an ordeal, so a driveway is a must. I wonder how often your husband has to do this.... might change his mind on the matter.

This is accurate - I definitely do the most ferrying of the DC around. Good point.

OP posts:
toomuchfaff · 08/04/2025 20:24

My DH says the parking situation doesn’t bother him in the slightest.

That's not the point.

Is there an option to amend the front garden to incorporate a drive and drop the kerb?

Saves moving.

steff13 · 08/04/2025 20:23

NewmummyJ · 08/04/2025 20:19

A driveway was a non negotiable for us. With 2 very small kids and the paraphernalia that comes with them getting in and out the car is an ordeal, so a driveway is a must. I wonder how often your husband has to do this.... might change his mind on the matter.

Same here. That and an attached garage.

TammyJones · 08/04/2025 20:22

We moved for exactly that reason but husband was more on board than me.
Got a drive and garage to boot.
DH was over the moon.
Well worth it.

Original poster
MissHoneyPenny · 08/04/2025 20:22

Hankunamatata · 08/04/2025 20:15

Can you get parked in the street easy enough?

It was relatively but street definitely getting busier. A neighbour further up has also bought a rather large camper van that takes up about 1.5 spaces and it’s pretty much on the street now 95% of the time.

OP posts:
SunshineAndFizz · 08/04/2025 20:22

Having two little ones without a drive would be a pain - carrying them in the house one by one - putting one somewhere safe while you get the other one. Then carrying shopping/bags etc.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all.

Few houses where we live have turned their front garden into a drive - any chance you could do that?

NewmummyJ · 08/04/2025 20:19

A driveway was a non negotiable for us. With 2 very small kids and the paraphernalia that comes with them getting in and out the car is an ordeal, so a driveway is a must. I wonder how often your husband has to do this.... might change his mind on the matter.

GOODCAT · 08/04/2025 20:18

You are not unreasonable to want what you want. To persuade your husband to move there probably needs to be more than just you wanting to move.

Last time we moved house it was very much my choice. However, my husband saw it as an opportunity to live somewhere bigger and nicer. I saw it purely as a way to cut my traveling time. We both got what we wanted.

Next time we move it will be different drivers.

MojoMoon · 08/04/2025 20:18

The fact it has only been since having children suggests this is a displacement for something that you really fear regarding the children.

If you move without exploring this, you'll just find something else - like what if someone parks across your drive.

MojoMoon · 08/04/2025 20:17

To obsess over it to the point you decide not to go out for fear of losing your parking space is
not normal.

I think you need professional help to explore what is motivating that completely disproportionate response and what it is you really fear.

Hankunamatata · 08/04/2025 20:15

Can you get parked in the street easy enough?