Do you think your life would be easier/ better if you had a bigger/nicer house?

[Notcontent]

This is just something I spend too much time thinking about! But basically, like for a lot of people living in London, being able to afford somewhere to live that ticks at least a few boxes has been a a major preoccupation for me and despite doing all the right things (going to uni, getting a good job, saving and buying a small flat as soon as I could, etc), my house is very small and in no way anyone’s dream home.

I appreciate I am very fortunate to own anything (particularly as I am a lone parent) but most people I know have much larger and nicer houses. It has actually had an impact on our life as the downstairs living area is very small and cramped and so not big enough for my DC to have more than 1 or 2 friends over. I try not to dwell on it but I can’t help thinking that our life would be so much easier and more pleasant if we had enough space to have friends over or even have a small birthday party at home. What are your thoughts?

I live in the small town out in the country. 4 bed rooms, big garden, only 1 dc, so plenty of space. Used to live in London when younger, I would happily live in smaller house/flat in London if I could. I love quiet life, but sometimes it can get a bit boring.

There’s always a trade-off. Your house might be small, but London offers a lot that you can’t find elsewhere—including some job choices that you may not be able to do outside of London. Of course, you might be happier with more space somewhere else. There are positives to both—but you can’t really compare your living situation to people outside of London. It’s just not apples to apples.

As has been said I think it’s a trade off: we moved from the south coast to the midlands for a bigger house as we couldn’t afford what we wanted there. We have the bigger house and it’s great for having people over especially to stay but there is less to do here and we have to travel further to find things to do. I’m happy with our choice as we couldn’t have had another DC in our old area but it’s not without its drawbacks.

No, it would still need cleaning. We have two rooms we never use as it is.

Yes 100%- I try and be grateful for owning a house in London but the downstairs is two rooms. Sick of eating next to my sofa and wish my daughter had a play room. I also think I’d chill out about the mess if I had a bigger house, everything is amplified in a small space.
I also was fortunate enough to grow up in a big house and so it’s not a case of what you’ve never had you never miss....I know how much better it is !

No. I had a bigger house snd hated the cost of heating it and time cleaning. I sold and moved to a v small house but own the land around it. It's heaven

Sadly the people I am comparing myself too all live in London too - but have been very fortunate in life!!

My complicated personal circumstances and job means that moving further out has not been an option.

Feel you OP, I went to a private school and my friends have some lovely homes, and those that don’t yet will. But like people say envy is the thief of joy

@OnlyFoolsnMothers

Yes 100%- I try and be grateful for owning a house in London but the downstairs is two rooms. Sick of eating next to my sofa and wish my daughter had a play room. I also think I’d chill out about the mess if I had a bigger house, everything is amplified in a small space. I also was fortunate enough to grow up in a big house and so it’s not a case of what you’ve never had you never miss....I know how much better it is !

I so agree about the mess! I just visited a friend (which prompted me to dwell on this, yet again...) and they have a nice, spacious house - it wasn’t terrible tidy and there were things cluttering a few surfaces, but because the rooms were spacious and nice, it still looked good - whereas in my house I have to work hard to keep it constantly tidy or it just looks terrible.

I have a flat in Hackney, yes its not huge, but I wouldn’t say its small either. If I had somewhere bigger there would just be more cleaning and bigger bills.