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Original poster

Panic: buy cheap house in unfashionable area?

220 replies

joysexreno · 10/04/2021 22:43

I need to buy asap and I'm having a bit of a crisis. Some of this relates to my self-perception and/or self-image.

To buy in the area where I would like to be (near London suburbs, leafy, urban), I need to compromise and get a place that requires DIY. It would be Victorian . The house is very charming and there is a large, idyllic garden that requires lots of money spent on it. All the cars on the narrow road are banged up due to the parking situation. I probably have to do £20k worth of stressful works before moving in.

Alternatively, I could buy very close to a tube line that easily takes me everywhere I need to go. Great house, totally done up, big driveway. It's on a terribly busy road and the area is extremely unfashionable. My house payment would be £250 less per month and I wouldn't really have to spend any money upon moving in.

HELP! wwyd???

OP posts:
Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 22:44

Oh, and second house is farther out and very suburban.

OP posts:
LizziesTwin · 10/04/2021 22:44

Busy road would be noisy.

trunumber · 10/04/2021 22:46

Why do you have to buy so urgently?

While it not the sensible decision you probably need to go with your heart. Picture yourself walking to your front door at the end of the day, are you happy at the unfashionable place
(Does it also depend how old you are? I would hate to live in a fashionable area personally)

Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 22:48

@trunumber I want to beat the stamp duty holiday and I'm wasting money on rent.

My daughter will have to commute to school either way. I'm in my 40s. She will be starting school next year. A main concern I have about the house is whether other children will look down on her for the location/style of the house

OP posts:
Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 22:49

@LizziesTwin noise doesn't bother me really. I am worried about pollution, but can get some great air filters with my cost savings

OP posts:
katy1213 · 10/04/2021 22:50

Why does it have to a choice between these two? Are you any good at DIY?
I couldn't tolerate the noise on a busy road - but couldn't care less whether the area is fashionable, as long as unfashionable doesn't mean grotty.

ElephantsNest · 10/04/2021 22:51

I don’t think any of us can tell you. Imagine yourself living in each place. How does it feel to wake up there? What would your day be like? What stresses you out about each place? What is your gut telling you?

IpreferInchyraBlue · 10/04/2021 22:52

The first one for me. Sounds like you want the second though.

Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 22:55

@IpreferInchyraBlue my old living room was that colour, in fashionable north London Sad

I really want the first one but I'm terrified of the stress and expense. I'm going to see about getting a discount from the sellers.

The second one just seems like a relief from work/stress/money problems.

OP posts:
katy1213 · 10/04/2021 22:56

So what kind of house would be grand enough to impress your daughter's friends? How often will you need to redecorate/refurnish to keep up to their standards?
Do you always take major life decisions to impress some stupid kids? Who probably aren't so stupid that they'd even notice!
Are you always this insecure?

Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 22:57

@katy1213 I don't do DIY, other than basic stuff like assembling IKEA furniture and filling holes so the landlord can't see where I've messed up the walls.

I've been looking at properties online for over a year, and I can see that this is as good as it gets on either end of the spectrum. I can't compromise on space unfortunately, which leaves me with basically these two scenarios

OP posts:
Bimblybomeyelash · 10/04/2021 22:57

Location location location

Literallynoidea · 10/04/2021 22:58

Busy road puts me off. First option and park round the corner.

Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 23:00

@katy1213 it's not just that - the other house is more in the same area so I think that playdates etc would make more sense and it would be easier to be part of the social life of the school. It's also part of my self perception to be in a charming Victorian house. I really love the house but I'm exhausted thinking of the work (and the expense!!!)

OP posts:
Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 23:02

@katy1213 just to add - I'm sincerely torn here and just looking for perspectives. The 'problem' is that I'm pretty open to many possibilities

OP posts:
2bazookas · 10/04/2021 23:03

I'd never choose a house on a busy road. Go for the do-upper.

folloyourarro · 10/04/2021 23:03

It sounds like the first option would be a better investment, with the second option giving you an easier life with less to do and close to tube. I'd opt for the second, I'm not one for a project and buy done up houses but am aware it's not the same level of investment but for the benefit of not needing to do anything I am ok with that. Id appreciate the more immediate disposable income and close to tube too. I live in an unfashionable area but it's very functional, has everything I need, so again I know prices might not rise here as well but it's got everything I need within my budget.

So I think it depends on if this is a home or an investment.

MissMarks · 10/04/2021 23:05

Put on links?

katy1213 · 10/04/2021 23:05

It's part of my self-perception to be in a charming Georgian rectory but I'm not going to run myself ragged trying to achieve it.

2bazookas · 10/04/2021 23:06

[quote joysexreno]@katy1213 I don't do DIY, other than basic stuff like assembling IKEA furniture and filling holes so the landlord can't see where I've messed up the walls.

I've been looking at properties online for over a year, and I can see that this is as good as it gets on either end of the spectrum. I can't compromise on space unfortunately, which leaves me with basically these two scenarios[/quote]
Anyone can learn SOME DIY. Teach yourself from youtube. Learn to upcycle/recycle cheap old furniture.

PuffItsGone · 10/04/2021 23:07

First one

Original poster
joysexreno · 10/04/2021 23:09

@2bazookas sure, but I can't decorate exterior windows, rewire a house, or fit a gallows bracket and replaster. I'm also a single mum with an utterly worthless ex who barely cares for our child

OP posts:
trunumber · 10/04/2021 23:09

Get the first one. You really sound like you don't want the second one, I think you would unhappy there

MyDcAreMarvel · 10/04/2021 23:12

Second house definitely.

Lweji · 10/04/2021 23:13

It depends on what you mean by unfashionable. Is it going worse, or has potential to improve?
On a near perfect house, you're more likely to lose money, unless the works necessary on the other are way over the benefit.
If you're considering it as a long term house, then I'd go for the cheaper better house with good access to transport and the driveway.