Help struggling to make this life decision.

[RosieLeaLovesTea]

Hi all

Really struggling with a major life decision. Do we move house and take on bigger mortgage to move to a ‘better area with good schools’ ? With a mortgage until we are 65.

Or do we stay where we live now?
We are really fortunate to have inherited some money. It’s enough to pay off the mortgage we have and have a decent amount left over for savings.

Or it’s enough to put 50% deposit on a new house. Detached with garage. It would be in a more rural area. I would need to buy a car. Further away from work. Good schools. But when DCs become teenagers they will need transporting to town to socialise. Bus service not good as rural.

If we stay where we are - we live in semi detached. But we have 4 bedrooms. No garage which would be useful. It’s closer to work and good public transport links which means we only need one car. Also can walk to town in 30 mins. When DCs become teenagers they could be more independent travelling on bus and doing activities.

I feel like because we have options we are at a major crossroads in life.

Interested to hear what you would do?

Surely you haven’t just two options, how about a small mortgage in a larger house with garage where you are?

Thanks to all those who have replied. It is really helpful to have perspectives. Deep down I would love to be mortgage free. However schools are an issue. Primary is ok our DCs are 7 and 5. But I don’t think secondary schools are great in this area. So that is a big factor. Also bigger house in this area - due to the ages the houses were built most don’t have garages as they are older. We have done a lot to the house here, completely renovated inside and added a loft conversion so we have a really large master bedroom with en-suite.

Basically we would be doubling our mortgage and moving to more rural location for a modern house with 4bedrooms, 2 bathrooms upstairs, garage and probably a small study downstairs.

But better secondary schools.

Op, are you me? We stayed and did our house up a bit. Will revisit after primary school.

Yes I am also slowly doing my current house up
I would love to live in a nicer area, my house is fine and I certainly don't need a bigger one but area leaves a lot to be desired
I wish I could just pick it up and move it

I know! I love my house! I have really invested it it with all the improvements. But I worry being a semi that we are quite noisy for the neighbours. They do not have kids.

Is there an option c? Move somewhere less rural but with good schools?

Apart from the schools issue, staying where you are is a no brainer. Having a garage is not a big deal. I can confidently say that I'll never live somewhere with a garage as I'll never be able to afford it.

Plus 20 mins to work on bus, 10 mins from motorway. Plus we have a small train station literally 5 mins around the corner.

Try to speak to some parents whose kids are in the schools. Our nearest secondary has a terrible reputation. My 18year old who went there is just leaving the most academic college in our city, about to go to uni and my 12 year old is flourishing there.

The biggest difference we noticed across the years of parents evenings and events, was that we saw the same few supportive parents at all of them. The kids who reached their potential, had engaged parents.

Definitely worth looking into the schools a bit deeper, anyone whose kids don't go there, will in my experience, slag it off, as they want to justify the actions they took to avoid it. I found a few parents of kids older than mine, and asked lots of questions! Read the full ofstead report. Our school is pulled down by the behaviour and attendance of the Sen pupils, the main cohort performs at national average. One of my kids falls under that section, but obviously we support them (and make sure they attend), and because it's an area of concern for the school, there is significant attention on the performance of those children and help available.

We live in an ok area, with amazing transport links, and as my children get older, it's paying off. I grew up rurally and hated how much it restricted what I could do, my parents refused to drive me anywhere!

Good luck with your decision!

@InconvenientPeg

Try to speak to some parents whose kids are in the schools. Our nearest secondary has a terrible reputation. My 18year old who went there is just leaving the most academic college in our city, about to go to uni and my 12 year old is flourishing there.

The biggest difference we noticed across the years of parents evenings and events, was that we saw the same few supportive parents at all of them. The kids who reached their potential, had engaged parents.

Definitely worth looking into the schools a bit deeper, anyone whose kids don't go there, will in my experience, slag it off, as they want to justify the actions they took to avoid it. I found a few parents of kids older than mine, and asked lots of questions! Read the full ofstead report. Our school is pulled down by the behaviour and attendance of the Sen pupils, the main cohort performs at national average. One of my kids falls under that section, but obviously we support them (and make sure they attend), and because it's an area of concern for the school, there is significant attention on the performance of those children and help available.

We live in an ok area, with amazing transport links, and as my children get older, it's paying off. I grew up rurally and hated how much it restricted what I could do, my parents refused to drive me anywhere!

Good luck with your decision!

Totally agree. Visit the schools. Some evidence that bright kids with supportive parents will do better in less shiney schools.

I agree with @persephone19 about the schools. “Good” or “less good” schools aren’t always what they seem. One of our local ones is a hothouse, obsessed with ratings and exam results. Some of the pupils are very unhappy there, because of the pressure and the feeling that the school only cares about them as producers of exam results to make the school look good. The attitude of parents is key as well. A bright, motivated student will do just as well in a a school that isn’t a hothouse.

If you’ll have to buy and run a car that will add a lot to your outgoings.

No garage - build a big shed if you have a garden or a garden office

Mortgage at 65 - Definitely not !