I have been thinking this over so many times that I am no longer sure of anything now. I thought I would ask the collective views of Mumsnetters.
I own several properties which are let out and also another which is the one that we live in as a family. The properties which are used for letting out are flats but where we live is a house. One of the letting flats is empty just now. Tenants' lease was up and we parted amicably. Flat is in good condition but neutrally decorated which is not my personal style.
These last few weeks cracks in the house we live in have appeared both inside and out. I am worried about this but do not know the cause. With the wind and rain today I have felt more worried than ever with the creaking noises.
There has been a thought that we would move to a place about 45 miles from where we live just now but this was prior to the worries about the cracks. I would have liked to move to this village but I realise that I have to do something about the house, it certainly could not be sold in this state. I would not like to do a decorating job to cover up the crack both inside and out. Likely a Surveyor would be able to see through a cover up.
If we move to the village it would be a lot of traveling around to meet with tradespeople or to have work done on the house. I could leave the DC at the schools they attend now and travel every day or change them to a school in the village and I dash around during the day but have to be back for school pick up.
The alternative would be to move into the vacant flat which would mean that the DC could still go to their current school and clubs. The flat is 3 miles from the house. This would appear to be an easy answer.
The flat involves a lot of stairs and there is a noise problem. This is more a lack of deafening than really noisy neighbours. There are several older residents in the other flat who are not really child friendly. I can ignore the neighbours. The main problem is all the stairs. The younger DC are not used to climbing so many stairs. There is the problem that each DC has 2 school bags, youngest has a bugy. The shopping has to be lugged up all these stairs. I have health problems which means I dont walk too far without pain. I just wonder if I would be able to cope with the stairs and all the carrying
This flat being a lot nearer the house and the schools it would be so much easier to keep track on inspections and work being carried out to the house. Te downside would be that it delays our move to where we would really like to be.
I have thought of putting the furniture etc into storage and rent a furnished property in the village we like but that still involves driving about meeting deadlines of workers and schools.
Would it be a bad move to go to live in a flat without parking but with a lot of stairs? Or is there something I am missing as an alternative. AIBU to think of moving into a flat when the DC are used to a house with a garden and we have private parking.