To choose a detached house a mile's walk from the station instead of a semi near station?

[NotJustACigar]

We are buying a house and feel we have finally had some luck after our previous purchase fell through. We have found a gorgeous detached house that's within our budget in a perfectly acceptable though less posh area than where we were originally planning to buy.

The house we now want is a mile from the station and I commute by train every day. No DCs to worry about but we are oop North (still in England though) so there will be plenty of rain, cold days etc. I have to dress fairly professionally at work so naice trousers and shoes with a button down shirt kind of thing. I plan to wear walkng shoes and leave my work shoes at work to change into while I get there. And will wear waterproof overtrousers and a raincoat with a good on rainy days.

DH uses the car and parking may be an issue as the new house is four doors down from a park with playing fields that's also popular with dog walkers. A few times we have been by the house and the drive has been blocked by another car and the street is choka with dog walkers cars. But I figure thats DH's problem as the one who will be driving to work .

Do these sound like reasonable compromises for a house that would otherwise be out of our reach price wise or is the walking in the rain, parking, and kids and dogwalkers constantly passing by going to do my head in?

[WorraLiberty]

I'm just trying to fathom when it got to this stage?

I mean to the stage where people genuinely wouldn't walk just a mile in the rain?

It must have been from the 80s onwards I guess? I think before that, 2 car families were not that common.

[holidaysarenice]

Does it have off street parking for at least one car would be my big thing.

[MrsKoala]

Okay i have done some investigation into what a mile is and i am concluding the estate agents were lying ( who knew??) when they said places were .7 miles from the station. I apparently have no problem walking a mile or more, as after some research i realise i used to walk (from Euston to the Strand twice a day which is apparently) 1.9miles in 25 mins. So no i change my earlier post to, no a mile isn't that far

[Tabliope]

I'm also surprised at people that would worry about walking a mile whatever the weather, good coat and shoes are all you need. 15 minutes of exercise. My mother is a trim 8st 4lbs and has been for years as she probably walks at least 2 miles a day. She's never jogged or gone to the gym but the regular walking and of course watching what she eats to an extent has kept her fit and slim. Go for the detached if it's long term. People parking in front of your drive could be stressful.

[EduCated]

A mile is nothing, if you've no health problems. Less than 20 mins walk.

I currently live about a 30 minute walk from work (around 3 miles). Decent pair of boots to see you through the winter, and a reasonably sensible coat and you'll be absolutely fine. I've only ever needed to change at work when it's been snowing, or absolutely tipping it down with rain.

[Pigeonhouse]

The short walk is a good thing, OP, if that house is definitely what you want. I know lots of people regularly getting off trains and buses a stop or two early in order to build a walk into their working day.

[BuildUpMyFence]

Even if you are not able bodied, you can get a scooter or if with toddlers buggyboard if they still do them, it doesn't sound that far. I would go for the detached house in your situation.

[curlew]

A mile is obviously nothing of a walk to anyone in good health. But if you need to be very smart for work you do have to plan a bit. Particularly if you have a smart going to work hairstyle.

[eltsihT]

I second Holidaysarefab with the store a change if clothes at work just incase.

I have been splashed by a car and been soaked through to the skin before. I was seen hugging a radiator for 39 minutes in the hope my pants dried before my class turned up.

[MaryWestmacott]

I live a mile from the station, on mat leave now but at no point in commuting in the last 4 years have I needed to change at work! You need flat boots for winter, flat shoes for summer, a coat that's knee length and an umbrella. I do the walk to the station in 15 minutes, less if I'm running late.

I'm a little shocked people would drive a mile regularly. I guess I've been a commuter for too long that anything below 30 minutes walk seems just normal walking distance!

[Cakecrumbsinmybra]

I love walking, so it wouldn't bother me in terms of distance, and I too have that Merrell coat and it's great. The only thing that might put me off, is walking alone, in the dark, every evening in the winter. But then I have become a bit of a wuss since I left the city several years ago. I definitely prefer cycling if I go out in the evening.

And FWIW, I would always choose location over house.

[LittleBabySqueakSqueak]

I'd go with the detached house and the walk. 2 miles a day is enough to keep you fit and the walk home will clear your head after a busy day.

[EduCated]

Help, god no! sorry that was meant to say about 2 miles, not 3! I am a speedy walker, but not that speedy

[expatinscotland]

Detached always.

[ceeveebee]

I walk 1.3m to nursery, pushing a double buggy with 2yo twins in, more than my own body weight, then another 0.5m to the station to get to work, every day, whatever the weather. Have to wear very smart clothes to work too. Unless there is a physical reason then 1 mile shouldn't cause a problem.

[EduCated]

I've managed to walk at just under 8kph (about 5mph?) on a treadmill, but only for a few minutes, before it felt like my legs would fly off.

[MomOfTwoGirls2]

Do you expect to move house again in next 10 years or so or do you expect to be in this house for many many years?

Best advice we were given when we had two houses to choose from was to go with the one in the better location. We knew we would be in the house less than 10 years. In our case we went for a smaller semi detached over a much larger detached house.

[beanandspud]

I think it seems fine, and actually the walk to work is great to clear your head, do some thinking and enjoy the fresh air and exercise.

I've done it before and used to keep a jersey dress, tights and shoes (and a few toiletries) at work so that on the odd occasions when I got there wet/sweaty I knew I could change quickly.

[mistlethrush]

I used to walk about 2.5 miles every morning - I could do it in less time than it took to catch the bus on a wet morning. You need good shoes.

[BuggersMuddle]

A mile is nothing for the average adult. Don't do it in your work shoes, but mainly because you'll knacker them more quickly. Pair of trainers or flat shoes, sorted.

Make up bag / hair brush or whatever's needed for a quick touch up in the office if your work requires you to be very well groomed. In City of London I even had some colleagues (with horrific commutes) who had straighteners in their drawers although I think that's maybe taking it to extremes.

I'd always go for a detached house unless the semi is very large and the living areas aren't near the common wall.

Tbh I'd be more worried about the parking and the potential for dogs hit from what you describe in your OP.

[BuggersMuddle]

Oops, clearly I do

Yes, for the avoidance of doubt, no-one is hitting dogs! I live in an area popular with dog walkers and dogshit is an issue