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Original poster

Would you move house?

14 replies

PianoOnWheels · 02/02/2024 10:17

We live in a village, it’s nice but neither DH or I grew up here so have no strong ties to it.

Our local school is not great so our DC have ended up at a primary school in the next town (which we are all happy with). As a result, all of their friends and most of their activities are based in this town.

I feel like I spend my whole life driving backwards and forwards to this town (can be anything from 10-30 minute drive each way depending on traffic).

A house has come up in the town about 0.8 miles walk from the school which we could afford, it’s not as nice as our current house but still meets our needs. We’ve viewed it and I want to put in an offer, DH is not convinced.

We would lose one extra room if we moved (although we’d still have a spare room/office plus the new house has a garage which we might be able to convert). The new house has a garden but it’s small whereas our current house has a much nicer garden but tbh we very rarely use it…

I love the idea of being able to walk to school and although not all activities would be in walking distance, it would be a much shorter drive across town. Friends would be closer etc.

At the new house the kids would also be able to walk to a very good secondary school when they get to that stage whereas where we live currently they’d be reliant on a bus or car to get to secondary.

All of this is a very long winded way of saying I think the move is worth it for convenience/lifestyle, but DH doesn’t think we should move to a less nice house. And there’s no doubt our current house is objectively nicer.

Just interested in other people’s opinions - anyone been in a similar situation? Which house would you prefer??

OP posts:
SonOfAGoodStrongWoman · 02/02/2024 16:35

Does DH do any ferrying about? Maybe get him to take a week off work and do all the school runs/travel to play dates & activities to see how it actually feels.
It will only get a lot worse once teens and wanting to go out and about with friends independently. My sibling lives in a village (where we grew up), the amount of driving they do is insane, especially now DN has a part time job too. Having grown up there I can confirm it’s horrible being away from friends and having to rely on a parent agreeing to take you to meet up as a teen.

LightSwerve · 02/02/2024 16:38

Location location location.

I would definitely move. Walking to secondary school is such a massive bonus for kids.

If DH wants to stay, he can do the driving back and forth?

NewYear24 · 02/02/2024 16:42

I would move as the secondary school your DC will go to is also in the town. I think it would be a lot better lifestyle for your DC as teens and for you once you’ve moved.

Octavia64 · 02/02/2024 16:43

I lived in a village and chauffeured my kids everywhere.

If I had my time again I'd definitely live in walking distance of school and other activities.

Laiste · 02/02/2024 16:44

Am i going mad?
I posted on this thread earlier in the day Confused

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 02/02/2024 16:46

Yes I think I would. Even if it didn’t benefit you (which it sounds as if it will greatly benefit you both in time saved and garden maintenance) I would do it for your kids. I was a child who went from all my friends in my doorstep and school within walking distance to a house move where there weren’t even any buses, non of my friends lived near and the parent taxi was at best once or twice a month. It was ok as I had no choice, but was lonely and boring and with zero escape until I got a moped, by which time all my friends had had years of doing their own thing together, I became the third wheel. Not fun! Would have been lovely to walk to school and have an hour or two afterwards or at weekends or holidays with friends.

TwoBlueFish · 02/02/2024 16:48

I’d move

Pearbear · 02/02/2024 16:51

I’d move you can always in time improve the new house with an extension, new kitchen etc….

RicePuddingWithCinnamon · 02/02/2024 16:51

It’s depends on money too, I wouldn’t want less money and a not as nice house

dullandgrey · 02/02/2024 16:56

I'd say location is the most important. However it depends on what makes it a 'less nice house'? If it's just cosmetic work needed then fine. If it was smaller bedrooms for example, perhaps it's just not the right house for now. Keep an eye on the market incase something else comes up?

thesnailandthewhale · 02/02/2024 16:57

I'd move to the other town but not necessarily that house, keep looking for one that is better suited

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/02/2024 16:59

Yes if the secondary is there too- no brainier.

BIWO · 02/02/2024 23:52

Honestly I would move. I lived in a village and all my children ended up going to school in the nearest town and ended up with 15+ years of school run. As they got into their teens it was then being a taxi service over the weekends at some very late hours. I was a single parent and therefore took the brunt. My daughter said in recent years she wished we had moved so she could walk around to her friends!

Justbefair · 12/03/2024 21:40

In this situation I think I would lnow ive made the decision it's the right thing to do but wait and keep looking to see when a house comes up you both agree on. With some time to get used to the idea and lookingbat properties your dh will probably become more involved in the process? X

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