Help me chose because I'm incapable of making decisions for myself

[katieealexa1]

Just as the title says really-
Wasn't sure where to post but hoping for some good responses on this thread.

Single mum with 2 daughters (5 & 2), live in a 2 bed first floor maisonette. 2 double bedrooms, balcony, large back garden which isn't accessed via the flat (need to go out the front door, past downstairs garden etc).

I bought this flat 6 years ago when it was just me and my eldest DD which suited us fine but with 2 daughters the space just feels so tight. Everyone around me tells me I'd be stupid to sell now and move as my budget would probably only stretch to a 3 bed terrace, potentially a semi but highly doubt Id get a drive etc.. If I waited a few more years I could save more money/make more equity by paying off more of my mortgage etc.. But I'm on rightmove every single day, yearning for the day I can open my back door and let my girls go out into the garden without it being such an upheaval. AIBU for wanting to just move now?

YABU - stay and save more money for a bigger better house
YANBU - move now

Thanks!

The people telling you that you would be mad to move don’t have to walk round to the garden with their DC and can’t just nip back indoors to grab the basket of washing to hang it out on the line.

That said I wouldn’t move anywhere without a drive. There are streets near me where the roads are bumper to bumper with parked cars and people are fighting for a space every day.

What would be the biggest headache for you do you think? - struggling to park or continue walking to your garden?

@Yeahbutnotreally exactly. I don't think they realise how much of a ballache going into the garden actually is.. If the youngest needs something then we all have to go back indoors, shoes off, upstairs to then go downstairs shoes on back out again.. It makes me just not go in there.

I don't have a drive at the moment and I park on the street so I guess I don't really know the answer to that? Like you said, I don't want to move somewhere where I have to park half way down the street.

Have you seen any houses that you would like? .... only asking because around my area nothings coming on the market ..... i think once youve made the decision to go then you need to go!

@Ilikewinter there a few in my area but they sell very quickly. That's another reason that puts me off in today's market, I don't know if I'd be in a good position as I would be classed as in a chain.

I would move now. You need the garden access when the children are younger, which is now. Whereas if you wait a few years they will be old enough to make their way down to the garden themselves.

Is the parking situation okay? In that case a drive is less of a big deal, so move sooner?

[quote katieealexa1]@Yeahbutnotreally exactly. I don't think they realise how much of a ballache going into the garden actually is.. If the youngest needs something then we all have to go back indoors, shoes off, upstairs to then go downstairs shoes on back out again.. It makes me just not go in there.

I don't have a drive at the moment and I park on the street so I guess I don't really know the answer to that? Like you said, I don't want to move somewhere where I have to park half way down the street.[/quote]
I don't think they realise how much of a ballache going into the garden actually is.. If the youngest needs something then we all have to go back indoors, shoes off, upstairs to then go downstairs shoes on back out again.. It makes me just not go in there.

Ive a house and tbh, it's not a lot different really.

I wonder how much of this is defeatist.

Do you have a shed or similar in the garden? If you took what you needed that day such as a potty, snackels etc , would it really be that onerous? You'd expect to take what you needed with you if going to the park, so how is this different?

And Fwiw, there are times that going to the park is a damned site easier!

The grass isn't always greener.

I disagree with PP about the ease of a garden. We used to live in a flat right opposite the park. It was a massive faff like OP describes. Now we can be in the garden and pop in for what we need. I can cook dinner whilst they play outside. I hang my washing in the garden easily. I can hear if a delivery comes and open the door.

I'd go for it now. Now is when you need it.

@ChoiceMummy completely agree. Yes I do do that, but sometimes I don't want to have to sit in the garden. Would be nice to do the dishes/ponder round the house whilst they play etc..

@BendingSpoons this is what I long for!! Thank you for your advice x