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Original poster

Which house to go for?

50 replies

Househunts · 10/05/2022 10:08

2 houses and DP and I can't decide which house to go for.

House 1

  • 3 bed semi - 1 double and 1 single, 1 borderline single/double
  • in nicer town, but one of the less nice parts of town
  • 45 min walk to centre of town
  • very close to a lovely walking route
  • greener area
  • Nice garden with decking

House 2

  • 5 bed semi - all bedrooms are a good size
  • in a less nice town, but it isn't bad
  • 15 min walk to centre of town
  • on an estate

Help!

OP posts:
LeeMucklowesCurtains · 10/05/2022 12:46

I’d buy the bigger house in the ok town.

If you do have children and want more space, moving is an expensive ball ache.

LeeMucklowesCurtains · 10/05/2022 12:47

Can you say which towns? I know people always think it’s outing, but the chances are slim.

boysmuminherts · 10/05/2022 12:51

house 1 all the way.
Better town and outstanding secondary school. Greenery :)
all good!
having a better house in a worse are isn't the best :( (house2)

Bluevelvetsofa · 10/05/2022 13:14

House 2.

Like BreakfastRaclette we bought a house that had everything we wanted, but in an area that some people are pretty rude about. To buy similar in the area we left, was £150K more. We have good amenities, public transport and it’s convenient.

A south facing garden and the space to grow into, would be what I’d look for. As far as the schools are concerned, in five to eight years time, they may be completely different, so I wouldn’t worry about that at this stage.

user1497787065 · 10/05/2022 13:56

I think the criteria would be topped by how much to heat? Does it have central heating? Double glazing? EPC rating?

jackstini · 10/05/2022 14:01

I am definitely leaning to house 2 for the space, especially if wfh. The cost difference seems well worth it and the much faster walk to amenities

What are the roads like for both? Busy? cul-de-sac? Surrounding houses/neighbours?

tuliplover · 10/05/2022 14:05

First house is too small if you are planning on kids. Too far from town centre.
Second house - I wouldn't live on an estate, but if u don't mind then pick that one - does the town look like it might be on the up? How are the schools?

Honeyroar · 10/05/2022 14:25

I’d just know looking. You don’t sound enamoured with either.

It also depends on what’s important to you. Do you like walking/countryside? I’d want to be near that. Are you a town person? Will you have friends who stay regularly- will you need all those bedrooms?

Original poster
Househunts · 10/05/2022 14:28

I'm not actually sure if house 2 is on an estate, but all the houses look similar so I think it is. It feels quite enclosed. House 1 is on a wider road.

I looked at social stats and the area house 1 is in appears to have more unemployed people than the area house 2 is in!

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 10/05/2022 14:37

House 1 you will need to move from for more space in the future
Having just moved I really don’t want to move ever again. The cost has been extortionate.
whereas school is something to consider, what is good now may not be relevant in 5-6 years’ time.
Personally having amenities within a short walk is a big plus for me

Frazzled2207 · 10/05/2022 14:37

Househunts · 10/05/2022 14:28

I'm not actually sure if house 2 is on an estate, but all the houses look similar so I think it is. It feels quite enclosed. House 1 is on a wider road.

I looked at social stats and the area house 1 is in appears to have more unemployed people than the area house 2 is in!

Have you not viewed yet?

Original poster
Househunts · 10/05/2022 14:45

Frazzled2207 · 10/05/2022 14:37

Have you not viewed yet?

Show quote history

I've viewed both. But I'm not actually sure what being on an estate means! Both seemed like quiet roads.

OP posts:
Summerwetordry · 10/05/2022 14:57

House 2. No contest. If you can afford the extra, you can make it a home for life. House 1 will last five years at most and sounds a really long way out of town.

OldWivesTale · 10/05/2022 15:01

If you can say which towns it would help. People who live there will be able to help in a more specific way.

OldWivesTale · 10/05/2022 15:02

Also, which one do you have the feels for? I always think you should listen to your heart a lot with houses

BreezeofGreen · 10/05/2022 15:49

Definitely 2. Space. We're in a 3 bedroom and DH wfh is a nightmare. We don't have the space, he used DC's bedroom for the day but then DC can't get to any of their toys etc.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 10/05/2022 15:54

Depends on the estate- can you visit the area and different times of the day?

Lweji · 10/05/2022 16:00

I´d always go for space and distance to amenities. Not necessarily the centre, but shops, GP, etc.
You can probably add to the garden of House 2 to increase its value.
As for schools, things can change within a few years, so, if you don´t have children I wouldn´t pay much attention to ratings.
Think about maintenance and how much you´ll need the space (intended children, visitors, home offices...).

Original poster
Househunts · 10/05/2022 17:22

Such a difficult one as I think even with house 2 we might have to move when children are of school age due to the lack of good schools

OP posts:
OneCup · 10/05/2022 17:26

I would keep on looking! I think location is important but droppig from 5 to 3 bedrooms is quite a big compromise

FinallyHere · 10/05/2022 17:30

Anyone who saw my list of requirements for our new home, classified as 'necessary' or 'nice to have' appeared to be highly amused at the idea of working out in advance what I needed/wanted

Doing it that was was very necessary for me exactly to avoid this kind of dilemma.

Only you OP can know how important the trade offs eg location v number of bedrooms is to you and what else is important. The requirements will depend on how long you expect to be there, which covers what role schools will play (and how close that element is, given how schools can change over time)

Do you have to choose between these two houses? Are they both the closest to your requirements that you have found so far?

If both are a compromise, then maybe there is a third one out that that works better for you. Good luck

Original poster
Househunts · 10/05/2022 21:53

I think on balance, the 5 bed is probably the better option. We are about 8 years away from having children of school age

OP posts:
lugeforlife · 10/05/2022 22:07

Re schools we moved to this house 9 years ago with a toddler. The secondary (think pretty standard rural comp) was ofstead good. Baby is now year 7 and in that time the school has gone right down to needs improvement twice and is climbing back out the other side. The next school down has gone from needs improvement to outstanding and the school in the other direction has hovered at good but is going down hill. Interestingly the primaries have stayed more static.

I say space if wfh. Kids come with a shitload of crap and having had mine in a 2 bed terrace til we moved, the difference was amazing. And stuff in walking distance. A 45 min walk with a baby and a grizzly toddler in the rain vs quick trot into town.

Delatron · 10/05/2022 22:41

I think you need to establish if house 2 is definitely on an estate. Can you visit at different times of the day? What era were the houses built?

Original poster
Househunts · 11/05/2022 07:30

Delatron · 10/05/2022 22:41

I think you need to establish if house 2 is definitely on an estate. Can you visit at different times of the day? What era were the houses built?

DP has said house 2 is definitely on an estate. The houses were built about 15 years ago.

House 1 is also sort of on an estate, but doesn't feel like one as the road is wide. It is in a less nice part of a nice town.

OP posts:
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