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Original poster

Should I stay in this house?

62 replies

stayormove11 · 04/02/2021 09:36

I currently live in a 2 bed flat, it’s a council flat, so really cheap rent. I have 3 children, 8 , 7 and 4.

They all share a room, and they sleep in a bunk bed. I started a business a few years ago, and earn good money.

My DD who’s 7 has been telling me for the past year she wants to have a own bedroom, she wants space from the boys. My boy eldest who’s 8 has said the same thing.

I would like to buy a house in the next 2 years.

My question, should I move from this place into another rented house?

The thing is I’m going to move again when I buy the house.

Would it be wise to stay here until I bought the house or move? I can afford to move now, it’s not about the money, it’s just that should I really move house twice in 2-3 years? What would you do?

OP posts:
Mamamia456 · 04/02/2021 09:40

If you can still save to achieve your goal of buying a house, then I would move to a 3 bedroom place now.

TitusPullo · 04/02/2021 09:40

I would stay put and buy in a couple of years. Private rental is uncertain and it will probably delay your buying plans due to the increased rent.

You don’t say if you have a partner or not but if not could DD move into your room with you in the interim?

CrazyFoxLady · 04/02/2021 09:41

I think move if you can afford it. 3 in a bedroom if probably a bit of a squash. The older ones will need the space and believe it or not, the hormones start raging earlier these days which could be awkward. Blush Moving twice in 2-3 years is fine, people do it all the time.

CaptainSirTomMooreismyhero · 04/02/2021 09:43

Would you be going for a 4-bedroomed place so that your 7 and 8 year olds can have their own rooms?

If you can afford it, then there's no real reason not to do it, assuming you'll rent in the school catchment area that you intend to buy in. I would try to minimise them having to move schools (as long as you are satisfied with their current School(s)).

MusicWithRocksIn1t · 04/02/2021 09:50

Would you still be able to save enough to buy in the time period you want?

Would one of the kids or yourself getting a sofa bed in the livingroom be an option?

YukoandHiro · 04/02/2021 09:51

Can you apply for a council move in the short term? With your eldest nearing 10, you should be able to apply based on the need to separate the sexes

luxxlisbon · 04/02/2021 09:55

Since you say money isn't the issue I don't see why you wouldn't move now. The kids all being in one room is only going to get more cramped at the oldest moves more towards 11 by the time you buy.

Obviously I would assume renting a bigger place now would cost more and therefore put off buying further so in that case I would consider the money. Would you want to move if you had to rent for 4 years before buying?

Shelby30 · 04/02/2021 09:56

Moving house is so much hassle I certainly wouldn't do it again knowing I wanted to love so soon.

I had no kids when I moved to my current house and have no idea how I would fine the time to pack. Not the mention an extra 2 ppl to pack for and all the toys etc.

Tell your daughter that you'll be moving but not yet not like she needs the privacy right now so think waiting is fine.

Hahaha88 · 04/02/2021 10:01

I'd stay where I was if I was definitely going to be able to move in two years

Original poster
stayormove11 · 04/02/2021 11:55

I'm in London, so will be very difficult to get a 3 bed council house. I've tried swapping council houses, didn't work. And no I don't have a partner, just me and the dc.

OP posts:
Original poster
stayormove11 · 04/02/2021 11:59

Yes I've thought about giving DD my room, and I'd sleep on a sofa bed in the living room, but honestly I could be living here 2-3 years before I buy a house, don't want to be sleeping on a sofa for that long if I can afford to move now. I want to have my own space, and my office is in my bedroom, that's where I work.

OP posts:
Jarstastic · 04/02/2021 12:02

I’d stay focused on the goal of buying and use having a secure cheap tenancy to reach that good earlier and with more of a buffer.
Particularly as you mention your own business and with the economic uncertainty at the moment.

titchy · 04/02/2021 12:04

Are you planning to stay in London? Can you buy now? House prices in London might go up a lot in two years and become unaffordable. Or are you looking at shared ownership or something?

BarbaraofSeville · 04/02/2021 12:05

Definitely stay where you are if you're on track to buy in a couple of years.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for a suitable 3 bed swap or private rental if one comes up, but don't go for one that costs signficantly more in rent if it's going to delay buying your own place. I suppose the aim will be to get settled in your preferred area before you need to start looking for secondary schools?

SandysMam · 04/02/2021 12:06

Have the children got the biggest bedroom? If not could you swap so they have more space and maybe use a room divider?
If it is definitely going to be two years I would focus on saving all you can to buy somewhere, a private rent will cost you a fortune.

BarbaraofSeville · 04/02/2021 12:07

House prices in London might go up a lot in two years and become unaffordable

Or they might stagnate or fall as more people WFH and look to move further out and realise they don't need to be in daily commuting distance to London any more.

Sceptre86 · 04/02/2021 12:07

Let your dd bunk in with you, either share the bed or use a pull out and whilst it won't be easy I would make do till you can buy. That way there will be less upheaval for the children, they won't have to move. Private rent will be a lot higher than what ypu ate currently paying and swallow up a lot of your disposable income.

IndecentFeminist · 04/02/2021 12:08

Stay put. Could you put a sofa bed in living room for you? Or a bed in your room for your daughter with you?

redheadwitch · 04/02/2021 12:08

I would stay where you are for now and use the cheaper rent to boost your savings for your next home in 2 years time. Private rent is expensive and unsecure. You could move into a 3 bed and 6 months down the line, the LL decides to sell and you need to move again. A lot of faff for a short term problem.

Its not ideal to have 3 kids sharing but its not horrendous and families managed in much worse circumstances back in the day. For me, I would be advising the kids that you have a long-term plan and unfortunately, part of that means they just have to make do with where you are for now.

KnobblyWand · 04/02/2021 12:10

I'd give up my bedroom and stay put. You can get really comfy sofabeds.

DDiva · 04/02/2021 12:24

I think it really depends whether it will.klpact your ability to save. If by moving out it takes anotherv2 years to buy I'd definitely say stay put. But if you think you can get bigger and still move in 1-2 years I wouldn't dirty about doing 2 moves.

DDiva · 04/02/2021 12:25

Sorry I should have re read that before posting! I hope you know what I'm saying tho.....

PregnantGotCovid · 04/02/2021 12:27

If you move now, will it take longer to buy a house? If it's not going to affect your finances, then move now.

CSIblonde · 04/02/2021 12:57

I'd stay put, it's less hassle. Your daughter can go in with you on a trundle bed that you pull out from under yours, or a folding bed, if your bed has a down to the floor base.

Imloosingmyshit · 04/02/2021 13:18

If you are in a council house they should love you because the age and sex of your kids. Apparently they have a cut off when siblings of different sex reach a certain age???

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