Large-ish terrace or small-ish semi with pre-teens?

[newstart1234]

I'm looking to but a house soon and I'm looking for advice on which property type would suit a family of 5 with 2 pre teens and 1 under 10.

The size of each option would be roughly the same floor space but the semi would have a small garden and small garage (we would probably use this for garden storage rather than keeping our car in it) whereas the terrace would have a large yard. They are both near schools I like but the terrace would be significantly closer to work, leisure activities and with better transport links. It will be a long term house - 20 years plus hopefully.

I'm stuck in the middle. The children use the garden a lot at the moment but I'm wondering how long this will continue for. I enjoy the garden but not so much as over halving my commute. There are more after school activities near the terrace which I'm thinking they might like in the near future, in addition to them being able to access the better transport links.

Any advice welcome.

If both have similar floor place, I would go for bigger garden, more activity, better transport and closer to work, so the terrace.

personally I would go where there is better transport and leisure links, my 16 year gets himself out and about on foot, cycle or bus.
Unless you are happy to spend your life giving lifts

there are lots of things you can do with yards to make them lovely, usable spaces

So the only good thing about the semi is your only attached on one wall?

whereas the terrace would have a large yard. They are both near schools I like but the terrace would be significantly closer to work, leisure activities and with better transport links. It will be a long term house - 20 years plus hopefully.

If you've written that right - then terrace seems to have larger yard plus all there postives so would clearly win.

If you mean semi has smaller yard but closer to work and activties and transport then I'd go for that. My teens don't really use the garden at all now and then being able to get around by themsleves is as Ted27 says very useful, plus less time commuting - that adds up to a fair wack of time over a year.

Does the fact the semi has a garage give you room to extend?

Agree closer to work best to save time but is the yard space as big as the garden and could you turn it into a garden?

Does the terrace have parking?

If it was five years ago and your DC were still quite young I’d say the semi but for teens I’d say the terrace.

Wow thank you for the replies 🙏🏻

The garage could not be extended into so it would only be used as storage. The only advantages I thought of the semi was the access from the street to the, slightly larger, garden, which yes seems a bit daft now I’ve written it down. I thought it would be nice for the dc but, the smaller yard will be perfect for bbqs and a seating area as they get older.

I’m pleased that the consensus seems to be the terrace which confirms my suspicion that I was leaning towards the terrace. I like it more and it suits my life.

Thank you again 👍

You said semi had small garage and garden and terrace had a large gdn

I used ‘yard’ to mean a small, concrete outdoor area out the back of the terrace. The semi has a small patio, a bit of lawn and a couple of borders too like a more typical garden. I’m sorry for the confusion.

I think the terrace’s yard can be made greener using a few pots and hanging baskets.

Does the terrace have access round the back or side? Or does everything have to come in the front

The terrace has access from a back lane - where the bins are kept. There would be no off street parking to the terrace, but I’d be planning on using public transport or walking to work so wouldn’t need to move the car day to day.

@newstart1234

Wow thank you for the replies 🙏🏻

The garage could not be extended into so it would only be used as storage. The only advantages I thought of the semi was the access from the street to the, slightly larger, garden, which yes seems a bit daft now I’ve written it down. I thought it would be nice for the dc but, the smaller yard will be perfect for bbqs and a seating area as they get older.

I’m pleased that the consensus seems to be the terrace which confirms my suspicion that I was leaning towards the terrace. I like it more and it suits my life.

Thank you again 👍

Having lived in both, with the different sized gardens, my reservation with the terraces are if not end of terrace, there's inevitably going to be a noise issue as the teens grow, music, gaming etc, the noise may well be audible and likely you'll also hear a lot more of the neighbours too. Typically, most terraces don't have parking either, which when they start to drive etc will also be an issue.

Also, don't forget with terraces, if you share the water pipes and drains, you'll be responsible for the costs of repairs further up too. I know it sounds an odd consideration, this cost a friend substantially, as well as having issues with party walls for both sides when making repairs.

Ooh thanks for that, I’ll make sure to look into it thoroughly. And the noise issue too.