To want to live in a two bedroom cottage with three kids?

[sobigle]

It's in the area I love so much and feel so settled in and it's all we can afford there.

Anyone else live in a tiny place with lots of kids?

Are you going to give up your bedroom and sleep on the couch when your boys are 13 and 15 and your girl is 9, or do you plan to have moved on by the time the boys are teens? A prepubescent girl sharing with her teen brothers is something that is pretty cruel if you could have given her a room not containing teenage boys in a less expensive post code!

I read today that family members are living in camper vans, small caravans, etc., on one property because of the shortage of space and homes.

I find that it is more about square footage than the number of rooms. You can even get these really nifty tent beds off Notonyhehighstreet for added privacy. Certainly I have seen some period properties that could comfortable house three prepubescent children in a single room. A more pressing question is living space. If your children are not at school yet thus is where you would spend most of your time and if it is not big enough you will probably want to kill yourself. Always a good idea to rent before you buy. We did this once, our first day there water from the shower upstairs poured through the floor into the hall downstairs, we really saved ourselves a lot of trouble.

Thanks so much for all your replies.

Of course it makes sense to have enough bedrooms / space generally - but the cost is day-to-day lifestyle, and schools.

I'm living in a much more suburban area at the moment and find it a bit bleak, so quiet, and having to drive everywhere... I loved living where the shops, parks, schools etc were all within a short walking distance - and where there was a massive sense of community, always bumping into friends, and a sense of energy - more dynamic. And we can have all that again if we just sacrifice a bit of space...

Where will all your children sleep?

You're willing to sacrifice the comfort of your entire family so you don't have to travel anywhere?

Good grief you're very self-centred.

Your three teenagers will really thank you if they have to grow up all sharing one bedroom.

It seems a crazy idea. If it was to rent for a year or so fair enough but you can't expect your children to share a room indefinitely.

As the children grow up it sounds like you're going to completely outgrow the house.

Three children in one bedroom sounds proper shit when you could afford better.

I'd look at less 'naive' properties but bigger floor plan in the same are as. Think ex-LA 3 bed flats rather than 2 bed cottage.

Those don't sound like reasons that kids will thank you for. 'More energy'?

I loved living where the shops, parks, schools etc were all within a short walking distance - and where there was a massive sense of community, always bumping into friends, and a sense of energy - more dynamic

It's not all about you though, there's 4 other family members to consider. It's not like you are sacrificing a utility room or a bit of storage, it's a whole bedroom.

OP , you have to look at the house and consider if it will adapt when the kids are older. Is there a loft that could be converted to a couple of small bedrooms? Is there a 2nd reception room that could be used as a bedroom? Is the kitchen big enough for the family to eat in? Etc etc.
I understand what you mean by living in a community with shops, parks, all at hand and that is a valid reason for wanting to stay there, but I don't think you can totally sacrifice space and privacy. There has to be a balance.

It would be just to rent for a year or so, and to get into a better school, then we could buy a bit further out

Well rent for a year then, and have a look about. See how your children get on in that year.

It would be just to rent for a year or so, and to get into a better school, then we could buy a bit further out

So you miss the lifestyle you had before of being close to shops, the sense of community and the sense of energy do want to move back into that.

Except now you have just said you would only have this cottage for a year or two then buy further out (away from this lifestyle you want to move back into and sacrifice space for)

Just admit what you are really doing. You are renting to get your children in the nearest best school and once they are in that school, you are going to move further out and buy, but you know if you moved and bought the house now, your children wouldn't get a place!

YABVU.
Buy the bigger house that you can afford.

I haven't RTFT but just wanted to say don't be put off by having unique living arrangements compared to other people. My siblings & I grew up in a tiny house and visitors were often quite confused/surprised (to my embarrassment) but what mattered was the home and loving environment it was. We also had a much nicer area than the people who lived in more conventional places so it sort of balanced out.

I think the problem is that you are currently in suburbia which for most people is the pits. Have you considered moving right out of London into a town or city that is cheaper but with lots of activities and opportunities?

Many years ago when expecting
dc1 we moved out of London to central Cambridge and I didn't regret it at all. Loads to do, and cheaper house prices. We now live in a village near Cambridge where there is a good sense of community and yet we can be in Kings Cross in less than an hour. Plus the schools here are great.

I really wouldnt move 5 people into a 2 bedroomed cottage (where are there cottages in London anyway?).

Usedtobe I think you might be right. I've always lived in zone 2 London and suburbia just isn't me! Cambridge is a really good idea as it's still commutable, will have a look.

Thanks LorLorr, I've always been a bit unconventional!

We moved from a tiny flat in Islington to a 3 bed house (with potential to convert the attic into a 4th bedroom) in Cambridge, within easy walk of shops, museums, theatre and the station.

We moved from a tiny flat in Islington to a 3 bed house (with potential to convert the attic into a 4th bedroom) in Cambridge, within easy walk of shops, museums, theatre and the station.

I agree with pp, look at cities and large towns that are still commuteable. I live quite near Guildford and that's pretty busy with nice shops and a university. 25 mins to Waterloo on the train.

I moved further out to buy a bigger house, unfortunately needs must!

Yes maybe the answer is to rent short-term where I want to be, experience the ridiculousness of living in a small place and use that push and a bit of time to work out where is the right compromise.

In which case... Any other suggestions to add to my list of places to research?!

Tunbridge Wells?