To consider buying a 2 bed

[spirallingstairs]

For lots of reasons we need to move to a new area - it's quite a big move for us, several hours away and we have 2 young DC.

Are we mad to consider a 2 bed house? We currently have a 3 bed, but our DC share a room and the 3rd room, nominally a playroom isn't really used very much at all.

I'm not big on having loads of stuff so feel we could adjust to a smaller space with no problems and the kitchen and lounge downstairs are a good size, and it's in the exact location we're looking in. Better than that, it would mean rather than adding to our mortgage we end up with a small mortgage of approximately £40k. Our monthly payments would therefore be significantly reduced, and we would have much more money to get out and do fun things with the kids.

Long term there's scope to expand into the loft (we think...but you can never be sure obviously). But even so, if we find we're getting on top of each other I'd be happy to move house in a couple of years. I just feel like this would give us breathing space to move to the right area without financially crippling us. Part of me feels like it's mad, part of me things it's the best plan for us. Need some perspective from others though!

Mumsnet is the only place ive seen people insist that all children should have their own room

In real life most people I know have children sharing bedrooms. I myself grew up sharing with my sister - oh the horror

Two girls only two years apart will be absolutely fine sharing.

It sounds like a great idea. Not being financially maxed out is huge peace of mind for the unexpected, as well as the extra freedom that more disposable income gives.
My kids have shared a room all their life, now 10 and nearly 8, they love it and don't want to change yet, and even if they didn't they don't know any different. We moved house when they were 5 and 7 (they are just over 2 years apart) into a 2 bed, knowing it was an intermediate home... and next year we are moving to a three bed at which point they can have their own room if they want. Similar scenario to yours, it has worked a treat. If you do it you'll make it work, sharing a room means my two share a lot of other stuff too and it has made them close.

If your children aren't warring siblings go for it!

Who knows when the kids will want their own rooms but it's highly likely they will at some point.

They might "want" their own rooms but if they can't have them and they're a similar age and the same sex it doesn't matter.

What if they "want" a swimming pool, tennis court and private gym? Do you arrange that for them as well or, as the parent, do you tell them to appreciate what they've got and explain that they can't always have everything they want (a useful life lesson).

Children need love, stability, a roof over their heads and food. They don't necessarily need their own rooms. It might be nice to have but its not essential.

@burnthurst This was my expert. I’m buying a house to live in on my own and my problem has been that I wanted two reception rooms. Most often there is a s mall kitchen and one reception room. The house I’m buying has a conservatory which adds an extra room. It was more or less impossible to find a two bedroomed house with two reception rooms, certainly unless I wanted to buy a much older property than I did.

*experience!