House move- nice house of nice area? WWYD?

[JammyDodgy]

Nice house or nice area? I grew up in a big city but moved away for a job and have now lived 4h away from home city for 30 years. We'd now like to move back there. All my extended family, about 25 of them live in a suburb which has skyrocketing house prices in recent years and we could not afford to live there unless we significantly downsize. So thinking of suburb about 6 miles away which clearly is less desirable but we could get a nice house like we have now. Family all think we are mad and should downsize to live in their area! Mainly as there's a great culture of popping in to each other's all the time and they're acting like 6 miles is the other end of the earth. Children have grown up so schools not a consideration. This is starting to stress me out! WWYD?

Buy the house you want.

Depends whether the not-so-nice area is on its way up, I reckon. If you're on the verge of hipster-central and the trendy shops are creeping in, let the rellies hop in the car and come to you!

Otherwise, pick the best location and a house that's rough around the edges compared to the neighbours so you can level up and increase your equity.

Look on Google earth for tucked-away quiet roads and little parks and also for evidence of dumped car bodies etc! It can be very revealing...

6 miles is not pop in territory though, even if it's considerably closer than you are now.

If you are moving there for family, then go for the better area. Do you need a large house if the kids have grown up? Normally I'd suggest a balance between the two, but if all your family are close to one area and you want the popping in, I'd definitely go for their area.

Yes it all seems to centre on the popping in

Rent for 6 months then make up your mind?

If you are moving back to have that "pop in" culture with your relatives then you need to buy in their area.

6 miles is nothing, ignore them and buy the nice house (assuming area not total shithole,)

Quite a lot to think about.

How less desirable is the suburb and why? Is it crime, schools, facilities, transport links? Is it really less desirable, or just not where family want you to be for their convenience? Have you checked it out on websites like up my street and the local crime reporting?

They pop in and out to each other, but you’re not used to that now, is it what you actually want?

How happy would you be with such a downsize and would it impact on your grown DCs coming to stay?

Do you work and how would that be impacted by where you’re located.

why do you need a bigger house if the kids have grown up?
I personally think being close to friends and family is most important.

It depends how much you want the popping in. If you're moving so that you can have that in your life you won't get it by living six miles away.

We moved about nine miles away to get on the housing ladder and stood it for seven years before downsizing to move back. We're all much happier now.

On the other hand, if you want to live closer but not within popping in distance go for the house you want.

It's not up to your family either way so don't let them influence your decision.