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Original poster

Completely stuck deciding between two houses.... help!

51 replies

Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:27

This is my last port of call as I cannot make this decision. Keep thinking I've decided and then 10 minutes later genuinely thinking the exact opposite. So...

House 1... in the village we have always wanted to live in. Amazing school. Lots of activities for children of all ages. House itself brilliant, but not a great plot, on a corner so garden parallel to a road, has a drive for enough cars but other cars and vans from houses down the road park in front of and down the side of the house and the grass is all churned up looking a bit scruffy. Potential to be annoyed by cars parking all over the place. Garden ok size wise but potential road and path noise next to it and a bit overlooked.

House 2. In a village which is quaint and only 2 miles from village number one, but this village has no amenities. Terrible school but village one say they are 'fairly confident' we would get into their school from this village but of course they can't say for sure as it depends on siblings/kids in the entry year, and may involve appeal. Can I be bothered with this when I have the chance to live in village one? Anyway house 2 is amazing, and amazing plot, all we have ever wanted in a house and plot.

They are the same price.

Wwyd?

OP posts:
Noroof · 03/07/2019 20:30

How do you know it's a terrible school?

Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:30

Forgot to say, house 2 is significantly bigger than house 1 but both are fine and perfectly good for our needs both now and in the future

OP posts:
Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:31

It has a bad reputation for teacher turnover, a bad Ofsted, and it is just one of those noone really wants to choose around here unfortunately

OP posts:
MairzyDoats · 03/07/2019 20:33

Can you post links so we can help decide? Although tbh, I'd go for the better village with lots to do. There must be things you can do about the parking situation?

VictoriaBun · 03/07/2019 20:35

Not helpful but go with your heart. Could you put in new fencing, or hedges ?

MrHaroldFry · 03/07/2019 20:35

On the basis that House1 is in a nice, amenity filled village, I guess that means most things within walking distance and so that would be my selection. The other issues with cars and parking etc are only problems if/when you are coming in and out.
Plus, as kids get older, it is better to not have to drive them as that becomes so tiresome very very fast! 😉

Letthemysterybe · 03/07/2019 20:36

House number one. Location is always number one for me.

Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:36

I can't because I'm too scared to be exposed as I haven't name changed Grin. But one of them isnt on rightmove anyway as it is someone we vaguely know who has given us first refusal. Thanks for your comment though, it is useful to know others opinions. I get worse at decision making the older I get

OP posts:
Soola · 03/07/2019 20:39

Is it essential that you move now?

I would rule out 2 not because of the school but if there is nothing there .....

I wouldn’t live on a corner plot as you’ve described it and if it’s overlooked ....

Do many come up for sale?

Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:41

Yes it is essential as we have sold ours and it's going through solicitors. We are also very keen to get moved. No they dont, particularly in village 1. Village 2 more so, but none anywhere near as good as house number 2.

OP posts:
ConstanzaAndSalieri · 03/07/2019 20:43

House one. For the amenities, for being able to walk to school and not drive two miles every day past another school.

IceBearRocks · 03/07/2019 20:44

House 2!

JoJoSM2 · 03/07/2019 20:46

Number 1 no contest. I wouldn't want to take risks with schooling and can't see that an appeal could help if you don't get in. I also like walking places and would hate to get in the car for everything.

NavyBerry · 03/07/2019 20:47

Could your children get to village 1 without you later on? Cycle or walk? Do need to drive everywhere? What about parks nearby? Which area is greener?

Crazyfrog007 · 03/07/2019 20:49

House 1.

simplekindoflife · 03/07/2019 20:49

House 2!

The kids will only be at school for a few years really, you could be in this house a lot longer than that. Village schools are often under subscribed, so I think you stand a good chance of getting in the good school. Plus schools change. The bad school could get a great head and be amazing!

I think you'd outgrow house 1 very quickly and the parking situation sounds very annoying.

Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:50

Thanks to all who have replied so far. Realistically the children couldn't get from either village without me in years to come. I think busses from both are a bit hopeless. Neither have a shop. Village 1 has a great park, and other nice things for the children. Village 2 has a park but it's a bit rubbish. Husband doesn't think I've emphasised enough that house 1 is on a bit of a bad plot. But I think i did Hmm

OP posts:
AJPTaylor · 03/07/2019 20:51

House 1

Csleeptime · 03/07/2019 20:53

House 2 for sure. Love living rural with bigger garden and house. Great for the kids to run around. No amenities isn't an issue you get used to it really quickly and learn to do other things like lovely walks

crimsonlake · 03/07/2019 20:55

There is always a compromise to be made. However the downsides you mentioned may appear to be liveable with now, I can guarantee once you have moved in they will become a bug bare.
If it is in a popular village, why has it not been snapped up?
Possibly go in to rented and keep looking?

huggybear · 03/07/2019 20:56
  1. Assuming it's a primary school?
Cookit · 03/07/2019 20:57

Forgetting the school of village 2 because there is a decent chance of getting into school 1, what is the village like? Even if you use the amenities 2 miles away, which is really not that far, is it a nice village to walk around? Would you be happy there or is it just the amazing house?

We chose where we lived because I absolutely adore the area. It brings me great joy just walking to get a paper or take my kids out to play. Because the area is amazing we compromised massively on the house (mainly just that it’s tiny).

Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:57

It hasnt gone onto the open market yet so not sure whether or not it would be snapped up! Rented is potentially an option but to be honest we have been searching for a year and these are the best two by far

OP posts:
Original poster
Everyoneherehands2 · 03/07/2019 20:59

Thanks cookit that does remind me of our situation, village 1 is just a gorgeous place. Very unusual and lots of villagey stuff going on. Village 2 is pretty too but just houses and a church really.

OP posts:
Cookit · 03/07/2019 21:00

Also if you go for number 1 allocate a decent budget to sorting out the garden - a big (and attractive) fence and bushes etc. Maybe a stone wall. There are definitely ways of making the garden seem very separate from the road (assuming it’s not constant traffic?).