To move or not to move.....!

[bigdecisionsawait]

Okay. Household is me and DP, my DD (14) and DSS who stays every other weekend and one night in week. 2 dog. 1 cat.

Our current house is a modern3 bed. Plus sides - my DB lives next door which we both like as we are close. House is a nice house, not aesthetically my taste but nice. Good garden. Utility room but without sink. Downstairs toilet. 3 double bedrooms.
Down sides - it can be noisy - underneath RAF flight path which drives me crackers as I'm a student for the next two years, and right next to primary school playground which is insanely loud 😂. No storage - lack of storage space down stairs for dog stuff/gardening stuff etc. we could put a shed in but would need to have the area professionally paved to do so. Additionally we are limited to two dogs - we work ours and ideally would have a few more! Area is an hour round trip for DPs son. Area also has less than ideal walking for dogs. Parking a bit of a pain thanks to neighbour who likes to block me in!

House two - old cottage, 3 bed. Plus sides - Absolutely beautiful. New windows, new bespoke oak kitchen. My absolute dream taste wise. Lots of outbuildings. Area is a 15 min round trip for DSS. Area is gorgeous, very very quiet with brilliant walking. No dog limit. Lovely garden, absolutely private and plenty of parking.

Downsides - not next to DB, who would be a bit upset at us moving. House is smaller. Downstairs will be fine - but bedrooms are smaller. DD would need a single (which she does actually want - she wants a cabin bed). Bedrooms would need careful thinking about to maximise space.

We don't want to move to discover that we actually do need the extra space! Children would be happy to move. DB concern sounds daft, but we are really close and he pops in a lot for a chat and coffee! House two is about 25 mins from house one. Would you move?

Are they the only choices?

Is the cottage listed? Modern electrics? Central heating? Things to do in the area and good transport links? Any improvements needed?

I'm asking all this because sometimes older houses can be very expensive. I also wouldn't move to a smaller (pokier?) property.

I also wouldn't want to live under a flight path with no storage. Does your brother need care? Otherwise I don't understand why you have to live nextdoor.

Can DD use an outbuilding as a den type thing so her bedroom is just for sleeping so size doesn’t matter?

Well we are in house 1 but have been offered first refusal on house 2! Both are rental so listed or not doesn't apply. Cottage isn't actually pokier - main room is bigger by a good couple of feet than where we are, kitchen is a bit smaller. In excellent order - everything current. New windows/carpets/kitchen/bathroom/ had pointing done etc. things to do and transport links about equal - we are very rural which is how we like it tbh 😂.
Nope DB is a very capable normal chap! 😂

@rainydaysaway definitely could do - all outbuildings are brick in good condition, watertight, concrete flooring and electric and lighting in them. I think her room would be fine with a cabin bed - she'd get a chest of drawers and wardrobe in and room for her bookcase.

So what's holding you back?

@poppyzbrite4 just the concern that it is definitely smaller upstairs tbh!!!

If it's a rental then give it a go for a year and see how you feel. I couldn't bear the flight path. I'm sure there will be other places to rent if you can't adapt to the upstairs.

The outbuildings are a huge bonus, seems like it would be a good move.

And any chance to declutter and maximise storage in the main house is a positive.

That's a good way of looking at it @CalicoPusscat
And yes, @poppyzbrite4 currently the RAF are driving me bonkers!

How would the move affect DD's day to day life- now and future?
House 2 sounds lovely BTW! If you get on great with dB that's nice too, but the noise aspect would be a big one for me.

As they're rentals, the landlord is a big consideration - I know you can't predict but any clues that one or the other would be more stable long term?

@napody tbh not much change for DD - bus to school same as here. House two is on a big country estate on a no through road so very quiet. DD is very into country - she works dogs with me etc and estate is a shooting one with nice people so chance for her to get more involved.
Landlords equally good tbh - current ones brilliant with long lets, house two the estate - again very good and very long lets. Both excellent at property maintenance etc.