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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Private school or bigger house?

301 replies

joric · 21/07/2011 18:05

Less AIBU more WWYD....

Will keep it short...

60/70k will put DD through private school and we would stay in our modest house
or
we could increase mortgage by same amount and buy a similar standard of house in better area with v good state school nearby.

WWYD?

OP posts:
Original poster
joric · 21/07/2011 18:06

Sorry..!!
OR
Buy bigger house in area we live in now which has ok ( not great) school nearby.

OP posts:
PonceyMcPonce · 21/07/2011 18:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

soverylucky · 21/07/2011 18:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

worraliberty · 21/07/2011 18:08

How on earth did you make a mistake like that? Your correction isn't even similar Lol!

AuntiePickleBottom · 21/07/2011 18:10

how i looked at it, is what would you do if your or OH lost there jobs....would you have to take her out of school.

MorticiaAddams · 21/07/2011 18:11

worraliberty I think they were adding a third option not changing the second one.

I would go for option 2.

Original poster
joric · 21/07/2011 18:12

1 dc
Visited local state Sch. :(
Visied state school in more expensive area :)
Visited private school :) :)
Would be able to afford private if we stayed in current area - 1 wage
Wouldn't be able to afford private sch and bigger house in current area or new house in more expensive area on one wage
No current mortgage so 70k would be mortgaged.

OP posts:
ImperialBlether · 21/07/2011 18:13

Go to the best area you can and send her to a good state school. If you can send her to a grammar school, all the better. The house doesn't matter as much as her education; there's no point having a big house and a poorly educated child!

Original poster
joric · 21/07/2011 18:13

No, there are 3 options!

OP posts:
spookshowangel · 21/07/2011 18:13

option two for me, bigger house is an investment as well as giving you all space etc plus being near good school.

Malcontentinthemiddle · 21/07/2011 18:14

bigger house.

Itsjustafleshwound · 21/07/2011 18:14

Sorry - how old is your daughter??? Round here 60/70K will only buy about 4/5 years of private school (just!!)

Personally - I don't think this isn't an easy question to answer - there are lots of variables ...

Fairenuff · 21/07/2011 18:15

We did option 2.

If you pay for education the money is gone (with no guarantee that your DC will do any better academically)

If you buy a house near a school that you are happy to send your child to, not only will you still have the money but it will grow, so it's an investment.

Eventually you will be looking at university education (presumably) and that may well be where you might need to use the money.

Original poster
joric · 21/07/2011 18:15

Moricia ... I'm leaning towards option 2... Better area, mortgage, good state Sch.

OP posts:
knittedbreast · 21/07/2011 18:16

bigger house. every time

twinklypearls · 21/07/2011 18:17

Bigger house, especially if near a good state school. No brainer for me.

I might pause if I had a child who may be in a bottom set but otherwise state all the way.

Original poster
joric · 21/07/2011 18:17

Faire- that's why I'm in a dilemma ... Any regrets?

OP posts:
wordfactory · 21/07/2011 18:17

So are the three options.

  1. stay put and pay for indepnedent school.
  2. By a bigger house in your current catchment which has poor schools.
  3. By a more expnesive house, though not necessarily bigger house in an area with better schools.
worraliberty · 21/07/2011 18:18

Oh right I see!

I'm not really sure. I'd probably go for the good state school.

There's no guarantee your child would learn more in a private school anyway.

PonceyMcPonce · 21/07/2011 18:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TartyDoris · 21/07/2011 18:19

If you only have one child, go for private school every time.

Houses are not a good investment at the moment, or at least not as good as they have been.

Original poster
joric · 21/07/2011 18:19

Twinkly- no the house in better area is no bigger than the one we live in - 70k to move nearer to better Sch- more expensive area

OP posts:
Fairenuff · 21/07/2011 18:20

Also, with private education, it's not just the fees. The uniforms tend to be more expensive and you have to have all the kit for all the different sports. There will no doubt be musical tuition, etc. as extra curricular activities. Then there are all the school trips.

School fees go up every year or so. Once you start, it's a massive financial commitment so if you are considering be sure it's best for your family.

twinklypearls · 21/07/2011 18:20

You are then limiting yourself to only having one child, I find it very sad when people would rather a child did not exist than have to experience the state schools that most of us attend anyway.

wordfactory · 21/07/2011 18:21

Well I'd happily spend the money on education and stay put.

I'd also happily move to an area with better state schools but for a smae size house (albeit more expensive) though bear in mind you might not get into the good school.

What I definitely wouldn't do is put my DC in a poor school just so I could upsize. Not a chance.

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