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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this house is good for my family?

145 replies

Countrysidegirl · 21/01/2019 09:37

We've had a really tough few years as a family. My DH is unwell, we took on a big house project which has been a huge financial and time burden. Yes we have a lovely big house in a great location but it's nearly torn us apart.

My DH was in hospital before Christmas and I had a good think about how I can improve our family life. We have 2 DC who are 5.5y & 3.5y and a dog. Moving closer to DH work to reduce his commute from 1.5hrs each way to 20 mins, get a house that needs no updating/DIY, reduce our mortgage/outgoings burden, give us some life back like family trips/holidays etc which we haven't been able to afford.

We've seen this house a few times now.

www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/53157450

It ticks all those boxes. I love it but DH is resisting. He thinks it's too small inside and outside. What do you think? Catch is the garden which is only at the front and terraced. It backs on to Minchinhampton Common though so no shortage of outdoor space!

It has good schools and amenities nearby. We've seen other houses nearby but they haven't been much bigger inside and need a lot of work!

OP posts:
OnlyLittleMissOrganised · 21/01/2019 18:00

It’s beautiful but how does it compare to your house?

PippilottaLongstocking · 21/01/2019 18:00

It’s lovely! I live in Stroud, so my too far away, we also have a small garden but there’s so many brilliant parks and woods and the commons and general outdoor space that it’s not really a problem

PippilottaLongstocking · 21/01/2019 18:01

So NOT too far away, that should say

Thesmallthings · 21/01/2019 18:03

Lol@this being small.

It's lovely, and would deffintly be better on the family. Go and see it, he may change his mind having been in it. Or you might. But you won't know untill youv both seen it.

Original poster
Countrysidegirl · 21/01/2019 18:04

Only it's totally different! We live in a detached 2,500sq ft Georgian house with 1/3 acre! But it's too much for us financially, especially as my DH is ill. We're trying to reduce our mortgage to alleviate the strain but this comes with big compromises!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 21/01/2019 18:12

If you move and you hate it then you can move again, ultimately you need to move!

Porridgeoat · 21/01/2019 18:16

I know the area. I’d wait a couple of months for more properties to come on the market. This house is set in a particularly well healed area of minchinhampton. However there will be many stunning spots which offer good schools and nice views but with more space.

RandomMess · 21/01/2019 18:17

It's really not that small at all Confused you could probably get a shower and macerator loo onto the top floor???

Yes you will massively have to declutter and be more minimalist but that's no big deal it's actually so refreshing and liberating once you do it!

newnameforthis7 · 21/01/2019 18:18

Looks lovely. I think rural areas/semi rural areas are excellent for raising kids.

TheHallouminati · 21/01/2019 18:26

DH and I bought our first house together two years ago. When we saw this one, I was unconvinced and wanted to keep looking. There was no rush so we had time to find a house that we were both happy with. He wore me down and I reluctantly agreed and we now live in a house that I hate and which does not feel like home or a sanctuary for me.
I really resent him for pushing me into it and am actually looking at moving out into a rental right now.

It's a massive purchase and both parties need to be absolutely happy with it. Allow each of you a veto or two and keep looking.

PregnantSea · 21/01/2019 20:21

I personally would find that to be too small with kids, but you always have to make compromises with a new house. The course for DH and the smaller mortgage would be a huge plus for me. But I'd be thinking just live in it for 5 years and then move somewhere bigger... But that's just me

PregnantSea · 21/01/2019 20:22

@thesmallthings I second this OP - no harm in going to see it. You'd be daft not to if you like it

SushiMonster · 21/01/2019 20:25

@Anapurna and that is why house hunting is so fun, everyone likes different things.

I don’t go for character. I go for room size, layout and light :-)

SparklyLeprechaun · 21/01/2019 20:38

Overpriced, strange layout - that's not a dining room, it's a biggish hallway with a dining table in, only one toilet, low ceilings, galley kitchen. I wouldn't pay half a mil.

Lucisky · 21/01/2019 21:00

OP, if you need to be close to Nailsworth, have you had a look at Avening? It's only just up the road. Also, why not Nailsworth itself? Just a thought.
Also Tetbury, which is about 15 - 20 mins to Nailsworth.

Porridgeoat · 21/01/2019 21:17

Good catchments TK and grammar school.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-75089606.html

PurpleTigerLove · 21/01/2019 21:32

It’s a beautiful cottage but holy crap 1/2 million for 1300 sq ft ?

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 21/01/2019 21:37

This is the type of house I stay in when I visit the Cotswolds, lovely for a week, I love the character but it would wear thin for me on a permanent basis only having one bathroom, small kitchen, no hallway, lack of storage, it can make life frustrating and uncomfortable when you are used to so much bigger, particularly as you have children and a dog, if it was just the two of you downsizing it could be workable but it’s not a comfortable family home, I would keep looking if I was you.

Porridgeoat · 21/01/2019 21:46

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77101640.html

Good schools

Original poster
Countrysidegirl · 21/01/2019 22:08

We've been to see the house twice. It's a compromise but the closest thing to our tick list we've seen. Everything else has had a bigger compromise like renovation or on a main road.

Porridge they are all great suggestions but too far out. We literally need be be 5 minutes from Nailsworth for my on call job. So Box, Horsley, Pinfarthings, Woodchester or Nailsworth. I love Avening but it's too far. It's a gamble to see if anything else comes up.

OP posts:
Porridgeoat · 21/01/2019 22:10

What’s your max budget?

Fiddie · 21/01/2019 22:11

Honestly? I'd live in a caravan for less stress and a smaller commute.

Do it and get your lives back.

marfisa · 21/01/2019 22:42

We have just bought a house and opted for perfect location and smaller space. We live in a very expensive part of the SE and our 1,100 sq ft Edwardian terrace cost over half a million. Shock We have 2 DC and don't plan to move again. So 1300 sq ft sounds fine to me!

The rental house we moved from is slightly larger so we need to get rid of some of our masses of STUFF in order to fit into this house, but that's fine by me. The bedrooms are tiny but the downstairs has a (partially) open layout that I love. The space is not large but it's very livable.

I can imagine being very happy living in that cottage but I would definitely add a 2nd toilet somewhere. One bathroom for a family of four is not fun.