Which would you choose?

[IndecisionnCentral]

Dh and I can't agree which is the better option. AIBU #1 YANBU #2

Currently
Income from investments £1500pcm
Savings £600k

Option 1: buy nice house in main town/city for 600k, both get part time jobs as investment income allows flexibility & then have a good work/life balance with plenty of time for hobbies and holidays

Option 2: buy a rural smallholding for 600k, start a business like dog boarding/airbnb for income, definitely more of a change in lifestyle choice

Pros and cons to both and very privileged for this dilemma, genuinely would appreciate others experiences and advice. Am going around in circles.

Goodness, do you have a passion for the country, being your own boss, animals, the satisfaction of hard graft coming to fruition. You'll be working hard, more than full time for a good few years with option 2. Will you feel tied down (busiest during holiday season) with option 2 or bored with option 1 (not lots of extra income to do exciting things, limited career progression)?

This is so helpful!

DH is pulled towards #2 and I'm more #1.

The smallholding was a shared dream but we've had a hellish few years of stress, bereavement etc so I just want an easier time of it. Lots of things appeal about a smallholding, but also lots doesn't!

Plus, the responsibility of a new business would be down to me, and I realise the amount of sacrifice and time/energy needed but I don't think DH does.

He's a coaster, not a doer, he's on medication for anxiety and I think realistically #1 would be more stable for him. But his heart is in the country, where he grew up on a farm, so he feels a rural move would 'fix' everything.

Yes I thought that might be the case @IndecisionnCentral .

You're both in a very fortunate position because you don't absolutely have to have career jobs. Would there be scope to buy a small property in the town and a county cottage as well - that way you have somewhere to retreat to for weekends and holidays but it's not eating up all the funds and your efforts.

Can your DH ask his parents about the realities of farming? It might make it clearer to him why option 1 is a safer bet.

Where do you live? Can you move somewhere semi rural so you get all the benefits but town, work etc is still accessible?

I live in a small town in West Yorkshire. You could definitely buy a house here, which is seemingly in the middle of nowhere but is, in reality, only a mile or so from a large town with good transport links.

I would do option 1, probably in a small to medium sized town with good access to the countryside and a garden big enough to have a greenhouse and grow my own vegetables

Airbnb or kennels will NOT give you any sort of work/life balance. You will be tied to the house and for not as much return as you might think

Option 1 for me, though £600k would be a small flat round here. But I'm a city girl and couldn't take being out in the sticks.
A lot of investment required to start up a business like those you suggest.

If you really wanted option 2 you wouldn't need to ask for opinions. It's the type of choice that someone should REALLY want to do, not a fall back option.

Because of that, I think option 1.

Isn't there a compromise? I live on the outskirts of a market town, plenty of countryside around, could buy a very nice five bedroom house for £450k (we live in one ) and offer AirBnB or dog walking etc on a part time basis ?

Is a mix not a possibility? House in the countryside, jobs in the city nearby?

Hybrid of 1 & 2.

Buy a property in a village/quiet suburb not too far from a city for about £400k so you can increase your investment potential and set up a dog walking/cat feeding business from that home.

Obviously depends on property prices locally, but round here, there would be plenty of properties at that price that would feel very rural, but are only 5/10 miles from a city and even closer to potential clients to walk their dogs and feed their cats.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120604199#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120924407#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113788529#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/122905112#/?channel=RES_BUY