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Original poster

Would you move house in this situation?

63 replies

Iampondering · 19/02/2025 08:04

Ok first of all we are very lucky to be in this position, but regardless it's still a BIG decision.

Three of us in the family, won't be having any more children. We have just found out that the field behind our house has been proposed as a site for 600 new houses, may not go through but if it does it will totally change how we feel about this house. 4 bed, 2 minute walk to school, lovely friends in walking distance, we are mortgage free (early 40s.) Not our dream home by any measure but we have a nice, simple life here.

We are considering getting out before it's too late and it's goes to planning etc, to the house of our dreams (I can't describe how beautiful it is 5 mins drive away.) 6 bedrooms so we can both have an office, and child a playroom, balcony over the fields, games room for a pool table (all my DH has ever wanted,) outdoor swimming pool etc etc.
BUT it's more isolated and a 5 min drive to school not walk. And would need a £300k mortgage (which we can currently afford no problem but still it feels scary to start on that again)

WWYD?

OP posts:
Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:06

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Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:07

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CakeIsNotAvailable · 19/02/2025 08:09

I wouldn't move. We are in a near-identical situation - houses about to be built on the field at the end of the road - and we are staying put. I'm mortgage-free aged 38 and that has taken so much pressure off me - obviously I do still work, but I can afford to be part-time and I can say yes to opportunities without having to worry about whether they pay well.

BilboBlaggin · 19/02/2025 08:12

Is the housing development just rumour, or have you had anything in writing about the proposal? If it's the latter then you have to declare it on the TA6 form and it may put prospective buyers off.

festivemouse · 19/02/2025 08:16

100% I would move! Larger house, all the bits you need / want, sounds perfect. If the trade off is a mortgage you can afford and a 5 min drive to school I would. None of the negatives about moving would outweigh 600 new houses, 5+ years of disruption and noise and all the accompanying traffic issues etc for me.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/02/2025 08:18

It sounds like you have everything you need at the moment. Why saddle yourselves with a £300k mortgage? The extra disposable income could be on so much other enhancing stuff.

GreenTeaLikesMe · 19/02/2025 08:21

Iampondering · 19/02/2025 08:04

Ok first of all we are very lucky to be in this position, but regardless it's still a BIG decision.

Three of us in the family, won't be having any more children. We have just found out that the field behind our house has been proposed as a site for 600 new houses, may not go through but if it does it will totally change how we feel about this house. 4 bed, 2 minute walk to school, lovely friends in walking distance, we are mortgage free (early 40s.) Not our dream home by any measure but we have a nice, simple life here.

We are considering getting out before it's too late and it's goes to planning etc, to the house of our dreams (I can't describe how beautiful it is 5 mins drive away.) 6 bedrooms so we can both have an office, and child a playroom, balcony over the fields, games room for a pool table (all my DH has ever wanted,) outdoor swimming pool etc etc.
BUT it's more isolated and a 5 min drive to school not walk. And would need a £300k mortgage (which we can currently afford no problem but still it feels scary to start on that again)

WWYD?

What, specifically, do you not like about having the houses built near you?

GreenTeaLikesMe · 19/02/2025 08:23

A six bedroom house for a one child family sounds insane,to be honest. Unless you are planning to run it as a bed and breakfast or something.

SigmaStarFlower · 19/02/2025 08:25

Hello. That’s a conundrum isn’t it, I would feel anxious about that too. However it’s a big step as you’ve explained your rationale is based on what ifs. We moved a year ago from a village that was isolated from a town after living there over 10 years. The village was being redeveloped around us with plans for 1000s of new homes etc. There’s a lot of land around villages. When our children were young it was a nice way to live. Since moving from there to a town my teenagers are much happier as they have more independence. However I have to drive one of them to school as she remained at her current one. It’s not too far away, 15 minutes or so, it’s not an issue. We prefer where we are, shops and petrol station round the corner. You must bear in mind that land is being built on everywhere and you might end up in the same position in the future. You’re probably aware you have a right to raise objections regarding the development to ensure your privacy of being overlooked etc. is taken into account. Are your neighbours looking to move too?

Lindy2 · 19/02/2025 08:28

You say you have fields next to the new house. Unfortunately, there's absolutely nothing to stop a future planning application for that area too at some point.

If you don't want to be next to a new development then you need to find somewhere without a potential development spot near it.

The new house sounds lovely but very large for just 3 people although extra space is always lovely.

Zanatdy · 19/02/2025 08:29

Why such a big house for 3 people? No I wouldn’t do it

Original poster
Iampondering · 19/02/2025 08:31

@GreenTeaLikesMe because it's already an estate at the back which I don't love. If all I could see were houses from the front as well I'd just feel utterly claustrophobic.

Unlikely anything would be build for new house as it's so remote.

OP posts:
SeaUrchinHat · 19/02/2025 08:31

If your child is likely to go to university I’d recommend staying in your mortgage-free position (unless your earnings are likely to increase dramatically). Also, if you know about the potential new estate so will everyone else so it’s probably too late anyway.

Morechocmorechoc · 19/02/2025 08:36

If you're no longer going to like it and can have the house of your dreams then move. 5 min drive is nothing

nwsw · 19/02/2025 08:37

Can you move without taking on such a big mortgage?

Move somewhere slightly bigger...

Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:38

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hopsalong · 19/02/2025 08:38

Yes, yes, yes, move now!

Most of us don't inherit or earn enough money to be able to afford the good things in life until we're too old to enjoy them. Hence mortgages. To me it's nuts to be your age and mortgage free unless seriously loaded or unable to work.

The houses behind your house will ruin it and damage its value. Even if they aren't built, the stress is damaging.

Also (and I say this as an urban person who values convenience), a 5-minute drive is nothing!

Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:41

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FrenchandSaunders · 19/02/2025 08:41

When you say remote, are there no pavements? A 5 min drive around here would be an approx 20 minute walk. Is that possible?

It doesn't sound that remote if it's five min from school.

I would want to move but not to such a big remote place. Is there something inbetween the two?

FrenchandSaunders · 19/02/2025 08:42

@Snaiksareslow 'half their life in the car' ... it's five minutes from school 😁

EggandStress · 19/02/2025 08:44

I know this isn't the point, but if the new house is only 5 mins drive from the school, why can't you still walk?

I think you're naive to think that there wouldn't ever be any development near the new house - I live in a village and there are developments springing up on the outskirts here and many other villages.

Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:46

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Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:48

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Snaiksareslow · 19/02/2025 08:48

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PlanningTowns · 19/02/2025 08:51

Go and have a look at your local plan and see what the housing numbers for the area for. New house might be remote, but if you’re in the south east (or anywhere to be honest). The pressure for houses is such that site previously unacceptable will be released.

personally I would value mortgage free over the move but that’s the goal right? Work pay off your mortgage? But if it’s forever home territory then a mortgage of that size at your age would work.

just don’t rely on no development u less you own the fields around you.

and in terms of your existing house, if it comes in look carefully at the design and how it will impact you not just focus on the ‘we don’t want houses’ argument.