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Original poster

Nice house in bad area or good area with tiny house?

43 replies

EnglishGirlApproximately · 14/06/2014 19:31

We are looking at rental properties and are really struggling to find something that ticks most of the boxes. We currently rent an old council house on a nice estate but want to get nearer to work but after 4 months of looking we are still here.

The houses we like are without exception in rough areas - saw a lovely house today a few streets from the site of a recent murder Shock. The houses we're looking at in nicer areas are tiny compared to our current home. I'm happy to downsize a bit but we can't even find one within our budget that has space for a dining table!

So we need to compromise - wwyd? Nice house or nice area?

We would love to stay where we are but ll are keen to sell this year and we're spending 300 a month on travel so we really have to move.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 14/06/2014 19:36

Smaller house in nicer area I think, You do want to be able to step out of the front door.
Do you have DC?

Nandocushion · 14/06/2014 19:38

Nice area. No question.

trixymalixy · 14/06/2014 19:38

Nice area. 100%

skinnyamericano · 14/06/2014 19:39

Do you need to think about schools? If so, I'd definitely go for the better area ....actually, i would go for the better area anyway.

TwoLeftSocks · 14/06/2014 19:39

Nice area.

ouryve · 14/06/2014 19:41

I wouldn't live in a rough area. I did it while I was a student and for a while after I graduated, as I was unemployed for a while, but was glad to get out.

If you don't have kids or hobbies that need the table, then it's a fair enough thing to sacrifice. You can always get a folding one that you can keep up against a wall, behind a sofa, if you just need one occasionally.

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 14/06/2014 19:41

It does depend on the area. If it is really rough and dangerous all the time (Murders are not necessarily an indication of a bad area, and can be an indication at least one bad element is off the streets for a very long time!)

So I'd tentatively say a bigger house, if you can have anonymity and pick and choose who you want to invite in and share your lives with. I'd look carefully at schools too.

ChazzerChaser · 14/06/2014 19:41

Nicer area. Feeling safe is right at the top of my list. And I'm easily scared. Depends what you're used to though as I find I get more chicken the less I get exposed to the not so nice.

SurfBoredCat · 14/06/2014 19:44

Nice area, definitely.

I can't afford a large house where I live and the outside space is a real compromise but it's worth it for everything else.

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 14/06/2014 19:45

We rented in a relly bad area when first married and wouldn't have children until we could move away!

Now we're in a nice big place on the edges of a few 'bad' areas, but really they are not that bad, and most people are great. But then, I can pick and choose who I have more than a superficial chat with now, and have no problems with neighbours. Neighbours are very important!

Ludways · 14/06/2014 19:45

Nice area without a doubt, tempting though it may be.

3boys3dogshelp · 14/06/2014 19:46

Nice area every time.

KirstyJC · 14/06/2014 19:48

Nice area. Otherwise you would be going to sleep every night worrying about whether someone would break in, and hearing every single noise in the street.

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 14/06/2014 19:48

Also, we lived in one of the nicest areas of the country, in a 3 bed semi with huge garden. It was hard work. Very judgemental and cliquey towns/villages with rough bigger towns. I never settled. I didn't have anything in common with anyone I met there and never felt accepted as I wasn't of the same mold.

TheHouseatWhoCorner · 14/06/2014 19:49

Nice area. We've got a tiny house in a fabulous location and have never been happier.

DoingItForMyself · 14/06/2014 19:49

Location location location. Every time.

naturalbaby · 14/06/2014 19:50

Nice area.

scottishmummy · 14/06/2014 19:50

Chose good area

Christwaddle · 14/06/2014 19:51

Location.
Without a doubt.

beccajoh · 14/06/2014 19:53

Location every time!

museumum · 14/06/2014 19:53

Nice area. I once lived somewhere I was scared to walk home myself and it was awful. I am not timid and am a martial artist, to feel unsafe in my own street gave me the rage!!!

Now I have ds I would hate to not be able to trust the local park to be relatively clean and safe at all times.

Original poster
EnglishGirlApproximately · 14/06/2014 20:02

Aargh I knew that would be the response. One of the areas I'm looking at has always had a reputation for being rough but I know plenty of good people who live there. I have a 2yo but as its a fairly small town we're looking at I'm not worrying too much about schools as the good and bad areas are often in the same catchment area.

Is it really realistic to live in a tiny house with dc? I just can't imagine not having a dining table, or a decent garden, or any storage space...

Anyone want to lend me enough to buy a house? Wink

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 14/06/2014 20:06

But it's the obvious majority's answer.unlikely anyone says aye,huge house in rough area

SamanthaJones · 14/06/2014 20:07

Depends on how rough tbh

hackney was considered v rough years ago - is now £££

SamanthaJones · 14/06/2014 20:09

So how rough and also how nice?
Can you give us an idea using London as an example if you don't want to say where you live?