Big house in ok location or small house in great location

[FlowersLucy]

We live overseas. We have the equivalent of about 700GBP (with a mortgage) to use for a house where we live now.

At the moment we live (rent) in a very sought after beach town by the sea. No gardens, or space but the sea is on the doorstep and the atmosphere is great. That amount would buy us an ok but VERY small house with a tiny slip of a garden (we have two DSs - 6&8). Houses very close together.

OR we could move further inland to a more quiet town and buy essentially what is a mansion in my eyes, with a pool and huge garden, heaps of space but quite a boring area. 45 min / 60 mins drive from the sea and beach.

WWYD?

The positives of the small coastal house outweigh the negatives

I would stay by the beach. I've never lived in a luxurious property, I've lived in medium sized places in shit areas and small places with great locations, I would chose the location every time. I'm a bit of a townie, but also love the ocean, so if the place near the sea also came with greater local amenities it would be even more decisive to me. Be that play parks, restaurants, coffee shops, or whatever, and even if it was seasonal only.

Having to drive everywhere is really not for me either, would you be able to walk to the beach and other social meeting places? Do the school runs on foot?

I would definitely go for the beach house. 80m2 is a perfectly acceptable size for a family of four and with the beach and other amenities on your doorstep, you would be mad to go to a more isolated location.

I think you have just answered it yourself if your boys might be surfing in a few years then stay at the beach house

Location, location, location. I bought almost entirely on location and have never regretted it.

I agree. It will drive you mad as you get older and you can’t get any peace and quiet. You can still get to the beach easily from the other house.

Are you happy maintaining the massive garden? My parents had a similar choice and went for the big house but the garden literally takes 4-8 hours of work every day (although they have a very labour intensive garden - lots of flower beds, climbing plants over walls etc.).

They chose the house for the chance to do a huge ornate garden from scratch but if you are not a keen gardener, even mowing it is likely to be a massive slog.

I must say I am curious to know where you live!

Always location. A big house always seems the dream but often you just end up with empty rooms and more cleaning. We have recently moved from a big house, less good location, to smaller house but good location for amenities, school is better , more opportunities. Haven't regretted it