Should we rent or buy

[SlowDownDingDong]

Dh and I are moving to a new area. We planned to buy but have now missed out on 2 houses and think should we just rent.

I'm against renting for 2 reasons, 1 - once we sign we are locked out of buying for at least 12 months and 2 - If we buy we will only need one of us to work which was our plan.

But I'm for it because 1 - we don't know the area and it would let us spend time there and possibly move around the area and 2 - with our house money in the bank we have a safety net.

In the craziest of worlds, it's cheaper for us to buy and there's no stamp duty so that just adds to the wtaf should we do quandary.

Would you hold out to buy or move into rented? We are currently living a long way from work but very close to my family so I think I might not have a impartial take on this.

I think rent. It means you can learn about the new area before deciding to buy, and you will also be in a good position when you find a house (no chain).

Not all rent contracts are 12 months - ours is 6 which isn't too bad.

I’d rent for a few months. Not all rentals are 12 months. Our old place was a 6 month contract which was rolled on month to month. It’s really hard to know whether you’ll settle or enjoy being in a new town and selling a place could be a massive expense and faff.

We moved to a new town last year which was perfect on paper, but now we’ve lived here a while we just don’t quite like the vibe of the place. The one advantage of being tenants is that next year we’ll be able to move pretty easily into a nearby town which seems to suit us a lot better.

Don't know if it's a UK wide law but I'm a landlord Scotland and since last year (I think, I'm a bit hazy on dates) I can't tie in my tenants with any fixed term. Leases are now set so that the tenant is able to get out of a lease more easily - they have to give me one month notice and I have to give them three.

Renting could be a good way to check out the area without getting stuck somewhere you find out you don't like?

Rents here will definitely be 12 months.

After a shit start to my commute I've asked dh to start looking for somewhere for us to rent. I don't think physically I can hold off to buy anyway.