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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not to have a garden?

61 replies

AffableApple · 27/08/2023 17:05

AIBU to think moving to a house we've found, which needs work, but for a number of reasons is a good price for us - is a good idea despite having no outdoor space? Would it be hard to resell in a few years once we've added value to it without a garden? I have two very young children who would benefit from a garden - but in an area with plenty of outdoor walks and parks - is this necessary? Would you buy a nice period house, newly renovated, but without outdoor space? Thank you for your thoughts. House buying is really tough at the moment and we can't afford to get this wrong.

OP posts:
girlfriend44 · 27/08/2023 17:08

No never, outside space is a must sitting out, drying washing etc.
Parks aren't the same.

ASimpleLobsterHat · 27/08/2023 17:08

I would never buy a house without a garden. You will have a smaller pool of buyers, but some people will still be interested in it. I can't see it appealing to many families though - a park nearby is no real substitute for your own outside space.

IDontLoveTheWayYouLie · 27/08/2023 17:09

I would always have a garden with kids if I had the choice. Makes a massive difference with them, especially in the summer.

Theraffarian · 27/08/2023 17:11

Personally I can’t imagine a time I would ever consider a house without a garden . I know some would consider it a luxury , but I would put it above a lot of other features that I might be prepared to compromise on . Also if you have young children being able to let them play in the garden is going to be far more convenient than having to take them to a park etc eg popping in for loo breaks , food , drinks , having a paddling pool in the summer etc

SnapBang · 27/08/2023 17:11

Absolutely not. Unless I had no other choice, of course.

springtome · 27/08/2023 17:11

It would be a big no for me. Our last house had a back yard (which we used to park) so could hang out washing and had a very small amount of outdoor space and a front garden. When we moved I really grew to appreciate having a proper, if small, back garden.

OldTinHat · 27/08/2023 17:11

No. Viewed a house a couple of years ago, newly on market so not on Rightmove for details. EA showed me round, was almost perfect. Then we both walked around and around trying to find the garden only to realise there wasn't one. I didn't offer.

CecilyP · 27/08/2023 17:12

Most households don’t have young children, so you are not the obvious market. I can see it appealing to an older couple who couldn’t be bothered with gardening but would prefer a house to a flat.

Iwantmyoldnameback · 27/08/2023 17:12

One thing I learned during lockdown was how much I appreciated my garden.

nc14 · 27/08/2023 17:13

How close are the nearby houses if there’s no garden? That would concern me.

Babdoc · 27/08/2023 17:14

I wouldn’t personally, OP. I still remember my joy at moving to a house and garden from my student slum flat with just a small cobbled communal yard, in 1983. My then cat was ecstatic, exploring the shrubbery and mousing round the compost heap, while DH and I sunbathed on the lawn with glasses of wine.
But we are all different, and it really just depends on what you would be happy with.

Rudolphthefrog · 27/08/2023 17:14

I’d buy one with a pretty small garden (patio sized) but not no outdoor space whatsoever. We almost always use the local parks for kids play but I do like to be able to have a few pot plants and dry some washing.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 27/08/2023 17:15

No. A garden is essential for us and we don't even have children.

YukoandHiro · 27/08/2023 17:15

If you don't have children this is fine but limiting. I lived in a flat without a garden for 15 years and found not being able to dry washing or just have a coffee in the sun on a lovely day quite hard work.

BUT once we had kids it was awful (especially during lockdown).

If you don't have kids I think it's fine although personally would like a small yard or balcony at the least

Zanatdy · 27/08/2023 17:16

With young kids I’d prioritise a garden

DisforDarkChocolate · 27/08/2023 17:16

I'd be happy with a nice nice yard or patio but not no outside space at all.

SnapBang · 27/08/2023 17:17

I will add, we have young DC and a beautiful park on the end of our street that we use all the time. It’s great for taking the kids on their bikes / dog out / bit of fresh air. This, however nice, is no substitute for our garden though. I can throw open the back doors in the morning and the kids just waddle in and out of the garden with their toys all day long. It’s totally secure and I don’t have to even watch them out there really, I tend to plonk myself with a coffee somewhere and they can just play. I could never do that at the park. Absolutely cannot imagine being able to sunbathe / read / do work as the kids play at the park - I’d have to be actively watching them all the time.

Gribbit987 · 27/08/2023 17:18

Do you mean there is just a courtyard area big enough for bins?

Can you explain what lies beyond your exterior walls and doors?

parietal · 27/08/2023 17:19

Depends on the area. If London or another city centre then no garden could be the norm locally and would be fine. But if you are in an area were most houses have gardens then being without a garden would be a limiting factor for many people.

thelinkisdead · 27/08/2023 17:19

There is really no substitute for a garden when it comes to throwing young children out somewhere safe that they can burn off energy. Mine were outside in all weathers when they were small, and now they’re older, the garden is unrivalled as somewhere they can play relatively unsupervised and wild

Dodgygeezer · 27/08/2023 17:21

I can't see many people wanting to buy that with the pandemic lockdown such a recent memory.

Fleur405 · 27/08/2023 17:22

I think it really depends on the area and what is normal there. A former colleague of mine lives in a very fancy house indeed in Edinburgh’s new town. She has no garden and will have zero problems selling it!

MintJulia · 27/08/2023 17:23

No. I wouldn't buy a house without a farden.

It doesn't need to be big but I need somewhere to sit in the sun with a glass of wine after a bad day. I need somewhere to hang clothes to dry. Even if it's only thirty feet square, paved with a few pots and a chair, green space and fresh air are essential for good mental health.

The last time I had a flat with no outside space, I was 20 and I hated it. I nearly went insane.

Allthecatsandcosyblankets · 27/08/2023 17:23

Is there absolutely no outside space or a small yard? We have an L shaped yard, very small and shaded but we have turned it into a lovely little padio/courtyard. Lots of plants, table with chairs and bought some plastic ikea tiles. My kids are older though, but it's a lovely little spot to relax with a coffee but certainly not a garden by any stretch but we made it through toddler/young kid age just fine without a garden.

MintJulia · 27/08/2023 17:23

garden not farden 😁