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Original poster

Perfect house v perfect location

64 replies

Bells3032 · 03/07/2020 23:06

Which would you pick?
For the same price was can get
-a beautiful, recently refurbed house of around 2500 Square feet. But the location isn't near anything really. I'd have to drive everywhere. It's also on a busy road though slightly set back and only a couple minutes walk from a rougher area
Or

  • a lovely 1800 Square foot house (but makes good use of the space). Perfectly lovely for the time being although you'd probably do it up and lots of options to extend in the future. But in your dream road a few minutes walk from your family (if you're close to your family) and closer to the station and parks etc
OP posts:
chancechancechance · 04/07/2020 00:12

Location always wins.

sweetkitty · 04/07/2020 00:14

Second

I have the first. If I could just pick up my house and move it somewhere else I would, unfortunately for this size of house in a decent area it would be another 150-200K which is a hefty chunk to add to your mortgage when your old like us.

nocoolnamesleft · 04/07/2020 00:23

Another vote for location.

ZaraCarmichaelshighheels · 04/07/2020 00:31

I have the first as well my house is beautiful but to get it in my dream location would cost another 200k, I am seriously contemplating moving for location but it will be really really difficult to give my house up, I worry I would always regret selling this house, because all though it’s not on the area I really want to live its still a perfectly pleasant area, so to sum up if you buy the first house you will find it difficult to leave, so forget it and go for location house then you won’t end up with my dilemma!

WichBitchHarpyTerfThatsMe · 04/07/2020 02:43

2nd house, no contest.

EmperorCovidula · 04/07/2020 02:53

I always choose location.

GlamGiraffe · 04/07/2020 03:01

Choose the location without a second thought. You get so much personsl value from it which reallycentiches your life (I say this a a person living in a popular area which isnt my ideal location) . Having extra space somewhere (unless you desperately need it because you have 7 teenage boys for example) doesnt hive you the same type of amenity.

If there's your dream street in a perfect location, with a suitable house which you can make big enough (as long as it will be really), take that hands down.
Why were you looking at the much bigger house elsewhereif this exists? You must be unsure?

gumball37 · 04/07/2020 03:08

2nd

IdblowJonSnow · 04/07/2020 03:11

Hmm. I've lived in both! Pros and cons to both. Do you have kids, have to consider schools etc?
Location one might be safer bet as easier to resell.

Poetryinaction · 04/07/2020 07:47

House 2.
I couldn't put up with road noise and having to get in the car to do anything. That is not a perfect house.

SnuggyBuggy · 04/07/2020 07:50

I was always told you might be able to change the house to make it better, you are unlikely to be able to do the same with an area.

Hercwasonaroll · 04/07/2020 07:52

Location every time.

boredboredboredboredbored · 04/07/2020 07:58

Ive had this dilemma recently as I saw a small (but gorgeous) Edwardian house in an amazing location where I'm looking to move to. It's also a corner plot which leads to a private road so very quiet. I've then looked at larger houses in good locations within the same area. In the end I offered on the smaller house with the plan of a small extension and knocking through.

I know I'll always love the area and the short walk into the town / the river. Location every time.

muckandnettles · 04/07/2020 08:10

Location always. Dh and I talked ourselves into a beautiful house in the only slightly wrong location and I speak from experience that it never gets better.

Chipsahoy · 04/07/2020 08:30

I have my dream house and garden. But I hate where we live. It's hard to give it up, but the location is making us miserable.
Go for the second.

DinosApple · 04/07/2020 10:28

Location.

LittleMissEngineer · 04/07/2020 11:46

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Norma27 · 04/07/2020 11:46

We are thinking of selling our house in a crap area and renting in a much nicer area. Everybody we have spoken to has said we are doing the right thing. Not so nice areas seem to only get worse in my opinion.

LittleMissEngineer · 04/07/2020 11:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Norma27 · 04/07/2020 11:51

I bought my house almost 20 years ago. It wasn't a great area then but is now awful. Circumstances mean we won't get a mortgage now but we have a decent amount of equity luckily so will rent for now.
We are just making a few improvements before putting on market.

bluebird243 · 04/07/2020 12:35

Location, definitely second house.

geojojo · 04/07/2020 12:48

I would always choose location first. I hate living somewhere where you have to drive everywhere to get anywhere.

TheNoodlesIncident · 04/07/2020 12:48

Location first and foremost. Many things about the house can be changed, the location's facilities (or lack of) cannot.

TimeWastingButFun · 04/07/2020 12:53

Location first every time for me - near family too is a no-brainer. When I lived on my own I actually sold my 3-bed semi for a tiny terraced 2-bed because the second was in a much much nicer area.

Flamingolingo · 04/07/2020 12:54

Second house - we live in a 3000 sq ft house and quite honestly, it’s too big. It’s a lovely house, but more than most families would need. We moved from a 1400 sq ft that was ok but snug, an 1800 with room to expand sounds perfect size wise. And don’t pay over the odds for someone else’s renovation. There will always be things you want to change (unless it’s my house which is perfect, obvs Grin)