Need help deciding the right thing to do

[Sohardtochooseausername]

I think I am being unreasonable because I usually know what to do - but in this case I’m a bit stuck!

I’m splitting from exP and I’m looking for a house to buy. My budget is such that I just can’t afford to buy what I really want - which is exactly where I am right now - in a large 2 bedroom flat in a very naice area. 5 mins walk from DD school and half an hour walk to work.

DD is helping me choose and she wants a place with a garden so we can get a cat and a trampoline.

On the new budget I have 3 directions to choose:

1. 2 bedroom tenements close to where we are now, but noisier road. No garden but close to lovely park. DD is ok with this because still close to school, activities etc.

1. 1930s flats in the nearest suburb - a bit boring. Flats are very small but they have gardens. 15 minute walk to school, still close to most things we do. We’ve seen 2 flats like this. One was gorgeous but upstairs neighbour made a lot of noise the whole time we viewed it. Makes me suspect the neighbours have the potential to be a pain.

1. 3 bedroom ex-council house on former council estates. 15 minute bus ride to school, 15 minute drive to most things we do. Nice big garden. Good size rooms. A bit challenging for me as I don’t know what it’s like living in these estates. Don’t want to sound snobby as I’m not, more that this is right out of my comfort zone. Other benefit is it is much cheaper so I could get new kitchen and make home exactly how I want it. Whereas the other option I’d have to put all my money in.

I just can’t decide. Option 3 seems good but it goes against location, location, location. WWYD?

I would go for no. 3 I think having a garden is so important for a young child. I know no.1 has got a park nearby but that means you’ve got to go with her every time whereas with a garden you can be in the house getting on with stuff and she can be out playing plus being on an estate I’m sure she will make new friends pretty quickly.

I would go with 1 or 2 but maybe look around for other options in area 2.

How old is DD and how long until she is at secondary school? As you make need to factor that into your planning.

We went for the 3 bed ex council house years ago when we only had DD and she was just a baby after looking at 2 bed flats and 2 bed tiny houses.
It’s been the best decision we’ve made. We’ve never had any trouble here in 11 years but our car was broken into twice when we lived in the flat in a much fancier area.
It would be the distance to school/ activities that would put me off though maybe.

We went for the "15 mins out" option when DD was 8. The garden is great - Large paddling pool in the summer, trampoline year round, summer house as a 'den'
All still used at age 13.

We walked the 10-15 mins to Primary and DD now gets the bus to High School. She meets up with her mates in town either using mums taxi or occasionally by bus. She's got friends on the Estate and different friends at school/in town. I think it's good for her to have a change - the option to be around different kids.

I couldn't live in a flat, because I like the space that being out of town gives me.

My heart’s saying ‘stay in town’... But I want DD to be happy too. Either option is probably right for her and I could probably find a compromise for her eg more trips to trampoline parks. Her dad’s now thinking about buying a ground floor flat with a garden in an ex council house. So he can have the trampoline!!

I couldn't live in a flat, because I like the space that being out of town gives me.

I’m the opposite. I have never lived in a house and it kind of scares me. I feel safe being near the city centre, with lots of people around.