To want the smaller house

[Jacketandbeans]

I'm really interested in opinions on space VS location as DH and I can't agree. We are looking at houses and I'm tempted by a house that is a stone's throw from a station and 20 minute walk to the beach, and walking distance to nice parks, cafes, pubs etc.
The house has no garage, no loft (converted to 4th bedroom) and is 1300sq feet including a conservatory off the back. It does have off road parking for 2 cars. Only one bathroom, no downstairs loo, no ensuite.
The other option is a 5 bed detached house with ample storage, much bigger kitchen and living space, 2 bathrooms and a separate toilet. You'd need to drive to go anywhere in reality and it feels very quiet, but still a lovely area.
We have 3 boys.

What would you choose? I'd love to hear from people with experience. As kids get older what becomes the priority? At the moment they are newborn, 2 and 6 and I'd love more space for all their crap, but the appeal of walking or cycling to the sea, and walking distance to cafes, restaurants etc really appeals.

For me, I'd have to be by the beach. But with 3 boys and one toilet?! Hell no 😂 would there be scope to add a second bathroom?

We could possibly do an extension downstairs to add an extra loo 😊

It’s called Location, Location, Location for a reason!

I am desperate to move to somewhere like the first house described. I feel like I am wasting my life away in the suburbs at the moment.

If there is scope for a second loo/shower room to be put in, then I might consider the first one. I don’t care about walking to restaurants and we don’t live near the coast anyway, but I do care about being able to walk to school, the park, a corner shop etc and there being scope for kids to have local friends.

But I wouldn’t live in a house with 3 kids and only one toilet and shower if I could possibly help it.

Of course location is key. Sticking on an extra loo is hardly a major undertaking.

I'll probably be in the minority but I'd choose the location one, in fact I have done. I've gone one further and got a flat where I could have had a house.
Haven't regretted it once. Rarely need a car, so rarely that I got rid of it.
It depends what kind of lifestyle you want honestly.

I think choose the bigger one, more living space is key as they get older

3 boys, bigger house for me!

I'd hold out for something else. Your three boys, who I assume are small and cute at present, could well grow to be six footers. That smaller house will feel very cramped then...

I don't get why people 'need' more than one bathroom or loo. You wait your turn!

I'd go for smaller. The kids will move out and otherwise you'll be stuck with a massive house in the middle of nowhere. Or have to move again.

Neither house sounds right for you.

We went for size but are shortly going to sell and buy something smaller but walking distance to the everything. Living somewhere where everyone uses the car all the time isn’t great.

Teenagers won't thank their parents for living in a place where they need to be ferried to wherever they want to go, until they're old enough to drive themselves.
I don't understand the 6 footer thing either, do tall people really take up more actual space than shorter people?

This. It’s an absolute PITA running a taxi service as they hit their teens. Smaller house definitely.

I’d keep looking.

Four bedrooms in 1,300sqft is pretty tight, and no downstairs toilet would be a big no from me.

Location, definitely! Good to be near things for older kids/teens so you don't have to ferry them everywhere and they have some independence. Plus if you have the location their friends will likely spend a fair bit of time at yours as well... I may be in the minority here but a house full of teens is no bad thing as you get to know their mates and what they're all up to!

Is there a decent amount of outside space? Like room for any sort of summer house type thing? That can also be useful when they're teens! But of extra space to hang out

Does the smaller house have a garden? I think a decent sized garden would be my biggest priority with three small boys. I have recently moved from a terraced with a yard to a house with a garden, and the difference it has made to my life is amazing. Being able to throw open the doors and let my DD run off steam after tea in the evenings etc is priceless.

Being close to amenities is good for older children I would imagine, but with little ones you don't often want to have to be presentable / organised enough to leave the house - you just need some fresh air and a cup of tea in the garden with slippers on while the kids go wild and have space to run about.

Station + beach

You don't want to end up driving them everywhere

Small house definitely. Beach and parks 100%. So much more fun and not driving everywhere will be a win. Trains are super convenient too, not having to find parking at the station or in town centre. Easy for when guests come.

You will just have to be ruthless about clutter etc with no attic/garage. Is the garden big? Could you have a big shed for bikes etc and sports gear. And yup- extension for an extra toilet/shower in a few years! Are the bedrooms a fair size?

The smaller one with a downstairs loo/shower room.

go with the location. If in 8 years time when the kids are teens, you find it is too small then you could look to move again. but being in a good location for yourself and the kids right now where you can walk to shops / parks / station is a BIG plus.

Being tied to your car is expensive (petrol prices) and means you will end up being a parent-taxi driving your kids everywhere.

I'd hate to have to drive everywhere personally

Where do you live?! I love the sound of it!!

Get the first one but I'd add a full bathroom/shower room, not just a loo if you want it to last you longer. Location is 100% more important than space for crap, but it does have to meet your needs.

I'd be tempted to factor in converting the conservatory to a proper room as well, depending on how much outdoor space you have.