To ask your thoughts on this house?

[marniemoonie]

www.onthemarket.com/details/6810758/

Budget is 400k, it's 20k below that. Gorgeous area with brilliant primary and secondary. The next LA over has grammar schools which I really like the idea of and despite different LEA they take kids from this village. DH would be commuting into Manchester and we are moving from London. I've been look at this house and have absolutley fallen in love. I love the quirkiness and almost European look on the outside. The inside is a little dated but we will have 20k to sort that out. However DH isn't keen. He describes it as looking "odd" an since we are moving to a village he desires a more "cottagey" home away from a new build estate and adores this:

www.onthemarket.com/details/6772165/

It's a lot cheaper but also we'd be sacrificng an extra bedroom. We have 2 DD's 1 DS and baby boy on way so it's probably be 2 DC's in each room eventually. And also my choice house looks a lot more spacious. I'd just like to hear an outside perspective on it. We're still early on so haven't looked at many houses but focusing on these 2 for now as which ever we prefer will also set the stage for future ones to look at that are similar. TIA

If You haven’t already done so Op, please look at the admissions requirements for whichever grammar schools you would be interested in. There are some catholic grammars, but if you are going for the main ones, Altrincham boys and girls - do double check entry reqs.

Altrincham girls is super selective and my understanding is that you need to be in catchment to get in. Friends of ours moved from an adjoining LA into a rented house about 3 yrs before eldest was due to sit the entrance test, putting both girls in a private prep to give them the best chance of passing. Both girls got in, they then moved back to their own house before the boy sat the Altrincham boys entrance test - it seems there is a much better chance of getting in out of catchment to the boys school.

If your eldest is 10, has she had any prep for entrance exams (which presumably would be this Sept?). My understanding is that most kids are tutored to the hilt for the exams. (I have also worked - on outskirts of Warrington - with many others whose kids have sat the Trafford grammar exams!)

I also have friends in Grappenhall and their high school is superb, both kids gone to good unis. The new Kings school in Warrington is also supposed to be good, I actually worked with one of its founders.

I had to name change for this as I am from here, went to lymm high school, etc etc.

Lymm is a lovely place and does have some "celebs" living round here but you saying footballers live here is a bit of a reach.

Ian brown from the stone roses and the guy from emmerdale is more the level of celeb that loves here, maybe some old retired footballers.

The house your husband likes is much more "sought after" in this area, the newer build ones are let's say not as desirable.

I have to say both areas of the houses a little bit far out from the village. I wouldn't live on the estate you are looking at, and if I were to live on higher lane it would be to live in one of the large detached 5 or 6 bed houses.

In saying that, if I were to pick one of the 2 houses I would 100% choose the one your husband prefers.

I don't know the area but do love a good nose at houses. In your budget and area I liked this one best www.onthemarket.com/details/4218469/

DH's choice is beautiful but too small for your family and I don't like the lay out of your choice, you couldn't put small children in the downstairs bedroom because you wouldn't hear them cry, you couldn't sleep down there because you couldn't hear the DC upstairs and I would't like my older DC being down there where I can't hear them, because of the risk of them sneaking out/sneaking friends in but also because I'd never be able to let them sleep with the window open!

Lymm is absolutely lovely but it is expensive and there's not really very much there, its a long way to supermarkets etc.

I'd have a good look in the WA4 postcode, you'll get more for your money and much easier to access stuff.

My in laws live very close to Lymm and we live about 20 mins away.

Hi Op,
For schools, space and commute have you thought about Timperley? Not quite as crazy expensive as other parts of Altrincham but excellent location. Your DH might want a village but does he want to spend most of his time commuting? Areas such as Broadheath (now has a Waitrose!) can work wonderfully for growing families. Like anywhere, there are pockets to avoid but on the whole, Altrincham and its environs aren't such a bad place to grow up

I like the first one best by a long way. It's really nice. I'd love to live in that house!

Damn. Meant to post this

Both lovely but you need that extra bedroom.

I’m not a fan of downstairs bedrooms, but the fact that the shower room is all the way across the other end of the house makes it a big fat no for me. Night shift has made me very picky about bedrooms.

This one looks nice and is within 1 mile of Lymm.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65327611.html

Look what 400k can get you in Sale! 1100 square feet.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70961713.html

The second one is nice but far too small for the amount of people. We live in a house about the same size with 2 children and it doesn't always feel big enough. The first one is really nice and but better suited.

HoofWankingSpangleCunt Ooh now that Sale one is brill! And much closer to Manchester as well for DH! All depends on his willingness to be in G Manchester rather than Cheshire. Hopefully he will come round if I bring it up. Thank you so much

Lymm is a lovely expensive village, Cadishead is not. Not comparable in any way.

I'd go detached

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-80296037.html

I love the second one - much prettier and has nicer garden and more character BUT it sounds like in a very short space of time it will be way too small for you so I think the first one is far more practical. I also think the first one would get very cluttered unless you're very minimalist about your furniture.

What about more towards the Peak District? This is for sale in Whaley Bridge, 40 mins to Manchester on the train, loads of space and pleasing rural for your DH!

I don't like the first one at all, the layout wouldn't work for me and I think it'd take more than £20k to get our how I'd want it. I like the second one, but it seems too small for your family, and I'd want to know how busy the road in front of it is as it looks as though it could be quite a busy one.

When I lived In Sale 20 odd years ago my address was - whatever street, Sale, Cheshire. I always thought it was a bit pretentious tbh as it was obviously in greater Manchester, but now Sale is no longer considered to be in Cheshire? Didn't know that.

I live in lymm and love it but if I were you i'd look at knutsford- it's so quaint. Similar price range but also has a train station into Manchester?

Hi Brownzy, Knutsford I have heard is nice and the kind of Cheshire area DH wants. Though the thing that put me off was I've heard Knutsford high isn't very good. And there isn't much in the town for when my DC are teens whereas in Lymm there is a bus to Warrington and Altrincham. Are there public transport links to other larger towns?

Brownzy Sorry didn't read that properly. I could see my DC's perhaps getting the train to Manchester as teens. DH will probably drive. Is Knutsford within catchment for Trafford grammars? Thanks.

I not too sure about public transport as I drive everywhere.
I don't think lymm high is too highly rated either is it? My kids are toddlers so we haven't even looked at high schools yet.

Knutsford has its own cinema, lots of outdoor sports etc. I'd imagine it was quite good for teens.

Much prefer @Iltavilli choice especially the 1st. Nothing wrong with yours OP but 1st is soulless and second is gorgeous but too small for your family

I am from Lymm, I recognise all of these ares.

I have moved (not far) away for reasons that Lymm is not all of that and a bag of chips.

I am in love with where we now live!

OP You can get SO much more for your money a little bit further out!