Once your kids are in school, how does your day look?

How far is the 5 min drive?
Can it be walked (is there a footpath?) or cycled from the village?

If yes then I’d take the extra space - once your kid is 10 or 11 they can get themselves and their friends about without lifts. Being able to get themselves to clubs is a big yes from me.

Me too

We both work, either at home or commute to London. If we’re working from home we’ll put a wash on at lunch time or make dinner using the time saved by not commuting.

Weekends are busy with extra curricular activities, seeing family, birthday parties, seeing friends, days out, church. We don’t have much time at all doing nothing!

Think it depends on school and what friendship groups already exist, so I would base any choice on what you like rather than potential activities which may not happen.

COVID struck when one of mine was in reception so not necessarily a good example, but for my son who started before there wasn't the whole class parties that people on MN say happen all the time. I think he got invited to a handful, if that, as people were more selective and only chose the children their child mentioned or those they already knew (myself included). My daughter's year may have been more into big parties but I can't say as that wasn't a thing then due to lockdown restrictions.
We also don't live close to the school so don't do playdates after either (which I don't see as a bad thing!). I don't think this is that common either in my kids school - parents working so kids in after school club or childminders or again groups of existing friends might do things, but generally it's more paid for clubs kids go to later in the evening so parents don't have time to be doing things after school.
Weekends are generally family time here.

So based on my experience we would have a lot of free time.
Also bear in mind that some kids find reception and starting school really tiring so are happy to go home and watch TV and have some quiet time rather than planned activities.

Do you work?

I went back to work, nearly everyone I knew did the same, worked hours around the school and did drop offs, pick ups and play dates, extra curriculars and all that too on the weekends and at nights. It was mentally busy, but mostly good fun. I worked at a school so I could work around school holidays when they were in primary.

What a lovely jolly family life with a fun, diverse range of interests x

I‘m nothing special, I just set up our lives so I can do stuff like burlesque and theatre and singing because I’ve always been passionate about the arts.
My husband loves it because he gets to see me do all sorts of random rehearsals and he loves doing shows with me (as my tech) too.
It’s just how I keep myself sane!

@ToffeePennieyou sound so cool!!!

I was a five minute drive away person and think I would have preferred it if I was a five minute walk person. My DC also would have especially as they got older.

On days I'm at work when kids are at school: I'm at work

Days off : I'll laze about, be generally lazy whilst ignoring my list I created the night before about all the chores I could do.

Another consideration is whether you'll always have a car. We only have one and getting it to and from the garage would be a hassle from rural dreamhouse. Do you have good family support or alternative transport? Or is it walkable in a pinch? And do your friends and your kids friends parents drive to come over x

Another consideration is whether you'll always have a car. We only have one and getting it to and from the garage would be a hassle from rural dreamhouse. Do you have good family support or alternative transport? Or is it walkable in a pinch? And do your friends and your kids friends parents drive to come over x

Walking distance is easier and I think you'd be more likely to have friends over if you walk, but it soundsl Ike you're quite rural anyway?

It also depends massively on your DC. Mine only have a few friends each.

Eventually they even walk themselves.

I think it’s one of those things you probably already know about yourself. Are you a super sociable family with loads of NCT )or equivalent) buddies, different friend groups and families you meet up with? Or are you a bit more of a homebody who might do a baby group once a week and have a coffee with a friend a couple of times a month?
What is new is the class parties, which will be 2 hour stretches every 2-4 weeks probably for 1 or 2 years.
We are a really sociable family and weekends are busy but they were before school
Even so I’d get the bigger, more beautiful house, assuming you can jump in the car and be whereever within 20 mins. Much better for hosting!

I have a six year old and love being walking distance to school and the nearby shops, playground and library. It makes popping out so easy, we often bump into friends, and I feel part of the community. Have considered moving a bit further away for a bigger house, but I really value being so close to everything.

We tend to be out a lot at the weekend, most days we'll be out for the main portion of the day. Don't really do play dates much as we both work, and tbh I don't want to look after someone else's child. I guess this might change as they get older and more manageable.

Re: car seats, we gave our friends' child a lift recently and they had a booster seat that he bought with him. Not suitable for reception age, but good enough for a short journey once they're older.

As for car seats, there was a place in the school to store them as it was an issue being semi rural. No such thing as extended rear facing then so it was high backed boosters or simple boosters piled up (you had to clearly label)

If I can say this kindly, OP – I think you're overthinking it a bit too much? With car seats, we have spares or the friend's parent gives us their's.

House preferences are highly individual, so I don't know if anyone can help much with that. Yes, obviously being able to walk to school is easier, but you get used to whatever you choose.

Every family is different. My dc as they got older tended to hang out at mine, I was obviously way too obliging on snacks and dinners! First couple of years of school they were too tired for things after school bar a leisurely stroll home with friends

DS started doing after school clubs twice a week in junior school (as in school run clubs). He still refuses to do anything that means going home from school and out again.

We insisted he played a sport regularly once he was 9. He chose hockey.

That’s the only change really.