Which house would you choose?

[Plan36DD]

I’m 57 and downsizing. I want this to be my last move so I need to get it right! Please tell me what you’d do in my situation?

First house is detached, brand new, village location. I love the house itself but I’m worried the location is a bit remote. The village has a village shop, a pub, and a church. It’s about 2 miles away to the nearest small town which, at the moment, is no issue for me. But of course that could change.

Second house is also detached and is a chalet bungalow. Not sure exactly how old it is - perhaps 1950’s? Again I love the house but this time I’m wondering if it’s too central! Its in a small town and is on a corner, right opposite a vet surgery with a pub behind it. Local shops are walking distance. Parking wouldn’t be a problem.

Thanks in advance for any opinions!

Second one 🙂

I'd go for the chalet bungalow. It's future proof in terms of ease of getting around and in a busier community where if became unable to drive at any point (and for convenience now), you're able to walk to shops, pub etc and there are likely to be more things going on.

For me I think it would come down to grande/view/location. Do they both 'feel' like home?

Garden

I don't think either sound ideal to be honest. I think you're doing the right thing not rushing if it's your last move, I think you'd know what the answer was if you were sure.

Thanks for opinions. In my head I think the second one would be the more sensible choice of the two, but my heart is drawn to the first one!

Both have manageable sized gardens, and I can imagine living in both.

But maybe you’re correct @dreamsarefree and neither are right.

Personally the first one.
My parents are in the 70s and thinking of moving from their isolated house into a location like the first one.
The village has a pub, shop and coffee shop. And 5 miles from the town. That’s plenty for them.

And 2 miles from the town isn’t so far. If you can’t drive then at 2 miles you could get a cab or ask someone to drive you in.

I’d worry about parking and noise in the second house.

Also a new build should be maintenance free for a few years.

I'm the same age as you, OP. My gut feeling would be go for the bungalow. My heart would be for the first one, but thinking ahead the bungalow would be the practical option for the future.

Neither.
I would keep looking.

The first sounds good! We live opposite a hall which is hired for parties and the noise at closing time is a nuisance. Might the pub be the same?

To make them your dream home, what would you need to do to them both?

The bungalow has an upstairs if that makes a difference?!

And yes, I’m a bit worried about noise from the pub although each time I’ve been it seems ok.

Have you been at closing time?
On a sunny Saturday afternoon when the beer garden is packed?

I wouldn’t buy that close to a pub. What’s it like at 11pm on a warm summer evening? Maybe if no beer garden or outside seating it might be ok?

Another "neither" here... If in doubt, do nowt... You're already feeling the first is a bit too remote - and the second one could be potentially noisy/busy... I'd keep looking...

To me neither sounds right - is there some reason for hurrying? If not I would definitely keep looking.

The first one sounds too remote - and the things you mention are very subject to change. A pub could shut, a shop could shut. Huge numbers of churches in towns and villages have been given to understand their days are probably numbered. It seems risky to rely on amenities that might very well not be there in a few years time.

The second one just doesn't sound as if it floats your boat, and surely if you want to put up with noise, it should be noise from a shop you'll use often? Being right next door to a mini supermarket or a corner shop is dead useful, but a vet's? Not so much.

Can you send us the links to them both, OP?

I'd go for the chalet bungalow with walking distance to everything.

Small Village shops can quite easily fail and shut, IME.

I recommend you also look out for a downstairs bathroom (or at least loo /shower) and on a bus route for when you get your bus pass/stop driving.

I'd go for the house in the village.

You're only 57 OP and two miles and it has a shop etc plus you are only 2 miles from the nearest town. That's a short taxi ride if you had no other means of transport.

Retirement in the village sounds a lot more attractive than option 2. I know which one I'd go for!

I lived for 11 years opposite a pub. Never again. The quieter nights outweighed the noisy nights but closing times, weekends, events… I do not miss any of it one bit.

Something between the two!

Neither.

If the first is only 2 miles from a town are there buses if you need public transport when older?

I understand the urge to make this your last home but be careful you don't end up with somewhere that would be suitable in your eighties that isn't right in your fifties and sixties and seventies!

I'd go for what works now. The likelihood is that you have at least 15 years of full mobility, maybe 20, before you need to make adjustments for old age. So think in terms of moving one more time in your seventies when you might want a ground floor space near shops and hospital. Until then, enjoy being young and fit in the right place.