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.

I'd pick the larger one tbh! You'd feel on top of each other imo and extra bathrooms are a godsend.

"I don't understand the 6 footer thing either, do tall people really take up more actual space than shorter people?"

Of course they do....if someone is 6ft6 they take up more space than someone who is 5ft 😂

Five people in the smaller space wouldn't be for me, but it depends on your lifestyle. If you're the type who will be out and about whenever possible, it might not matter so much. I prefer to stay home most of the time, so having room to stretch out and breathe is important to me.

I'd insist on a second bathroom, if you take the smaller house. Five people needing to use a single loo every morning before school or work is not great, not to mention how unpleasant it is when someone is ill and needs the toilet frequently and urgently.

1300 sq ft isn't even that small. It's the same size as millions of London terraces that cost millions!

Always location… I’d hate to live in a suburb where I had to drive everywhere, and more space just means more crap

.. as long as you can add a shower room with a loo.

if there’s a compromise position look at that

if There is scope for extending abd the garden has space for sheds for storage location.
we have three kids and extended and it’s made the world of difference.
the walk to the beach and parks means you won’t be a taxi as kids get older and they can be more independent.

but, if you can’t extend to get the extras I think with three boys I would need or want the space.

Location for me

If you have your own car then the bigger house.

Personally, as soon as children start at senior school, location is everything! Walking to and from school with friends, meeting friends at the weekend etc
We very nearly bought a house in a village which would have meant lifts everywhere- work, clubs, social life etc. I am so glad we chose location!

But if you only plan on being there for 5 years then space would take priority...!

... until you all get noro or something equally unspeakable.

I gave teenagers now, and I'm so glad that I went for a smaller house in a central location. The children can take themselves to their activities and back; there are plenty of part time jobs available and they can meet up with friends easily. There are teen-friendly places they can go to to socialise outside the house. No need for constant lifts; and lots of stuff to do that isn't drinking/drugs in a field.

id choose the location

as the boys get older they will appreciate living walking distance from the beach and amenities

living where they always have to ask for lifts everywhere is not great

an extra toilet can be added somewhere to a house but you'll not change the driving age below 17

have you just got the floor plan of the location house?

1300 square feet Is pretty small with 3 kids. I would look for something else or go for The other house. I would also want more than 1 bathroom and a downstairs loo is non negotiable.

10”% with young kids I would absolutely go for space

Bigger house for me. How far is it from the beach?

We are moving to a small house for location.
Dc are teens and want to get themselves around.
I'm quite enjoying the massive declutter, shedding of stuff( DH really isn't)

Location all the way. When you have space you fill space just because you can; when you don’t have it, you don’t, and from experience, you don’t miss it.

I don’t understand why so many people compromise on things like location or amenities to choose a larger house so they have space to store “stuff” and have spare bedrooms. Maybe that’s partly due to being a Londoner, and so prices here mean that it would end up being among the most expensive storage units and occasional hotel rooms in the world! But we’ve never regretted going for smaller, making it work for us, being somewhat disciplined about differentiating between useful stuff and junk, and have a great life with everything we want on the doorstep.

I couldn't agree more! We are a family of 5 with one bathroom, it really isn't an issue.

Yes, all of this.
Like any teenager would actually choose to live off the beaten track to gain a bigger bedroom!

Agree with this as well. Multiple bathrooms being seen as an "essential" is a relatively recent phenomenon.

Like any teenager would actually choose to live off the beaten track to gain a bigger bedroom!

As a teenager I spent most of those years at my friends house. It was a flat but z1.

Most teens would live in a tent if they could pitch it in Zone 1.

lol

Absolutely! Housing costs are astronomical. Paying more every month just to keep a load of stuff you barely use is not something I'd ever do.
Not when I can be at the beach in 10 minutes.
I have a tween and a teen, and when I've asked if they mind living in a flat when we could have a house in xyz they are both aghast at the idea!!
Clever storage, regular clear outs, that's the answer for us.

Stones throw from the Station.
Off Street Parking for 2 cars

Unlimited potential for CF blocked my drove and buggered off to the Station threads .
We'll send round Barry, Larry, Garry ,Harry etc

I would go for the better located house but add a downstairs toilet and shower room, without a doubt. We are a family of three and sometimes we need to go to the outside toilet as the bathroom is being used - and I love having that back-up toilet even if it's only accessible from the garden!

Assuming that living expenses aren't going to go down anytime soon, you don't want to be moving again in a hurry, so you need to make sure the house you get now will suit your family's needs for the foreseeable. So not having to use petrol to get everywhere all the time is a big plus and if you can add another loo and shower and there's space in the garden for a big shed (for bikes and Christmas decorations, etc) it should be fine. But aren't there any other houses that will work for you better than these two?

Definitely the one which has easy access to shops and entertainment. Been in a more rural house with three kids as teenagers. Until they can drive your evenings are ruined by lifts.