To think this house is too remote to be feasible

[HungryHouseHunter]

Name change. Posting in AIBU for traffic. We are considering putting an offer on this house. It's exactly the style we want with more land than we wanted but I'm worried it's too far from Winchester where we started looking. To get the train station I'll need to drive, to get to the shops I'll need to drive! Does anyone do this ? Do you end up resenting the inconvenience? For example I couldn't just pop out for a big shop, I think I would need to drive to Winchester and pay for parking etc. Would need to pay for parking at train station when using it (at least twice a week). Do these things just get more and more annoying. Currently live somewhere where car isn't even really needed.

Also value for money?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145236887

Only 3.4 miles to a significant train station is really nothing. We can’t access any functional public transportation. We just drive everywhere.

you do have to budget for driving lessons for your children and buying them a car.

Can you not just walk or cycle to the train station? It’s not far!

Agree! We live about 7 miles from our closest town and don't even feel remote.

My husband is in the building trade and said you'll need someone to check that out structurally before putting in an offer. He said he doesn't like the look of the roof and the wall of wooden windows they don't look too sound

Edited to add he also said it will be an absolute money pit to heat as it's very clear that there doesn't seem to be any proper insulation-way overpriced

It's a large house but the actual bedrooms are mostly quite small and the ground floor location and lack of pictures make me think potentially dark too.
I much prefer this one
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144574994#/?channel=RESBUY

Lots of people live in actual remote locations, so of course its doable. 3 miles is only an hours walk or a 15 minute cycle so its not as though you have to drive. Its up to you if you can be arsed with it 🤷‍♀️

Now that is beautiful

We moved from central London to a similar type of location approximately 17 years ago. However, factor in no takeaways - we have a couple now but one is dominoes. So not for me. We get a food delivery so just need to be organised. Also factor in either spending time in the garden or employing someone to do it. DH commutes to London everyday and I’m 2 days per week. We have 2 cars. We love being rural and think it’s worth it. Also think of things like security - would you be comfortable there alone.

I’m sure that house was rejected on location location
I think the couple plumped for a new build instead and the woman was quite snotty.

Really?! Would like to see that !

Massively overpriced no?

I think we could get it under

It wouldn't suit me due to the proximity of the motorway. I can't bear road noise if the property is rural. Obviously in a town you expect traffic

It looks like a holiday house rather than somewhere you live in. It has no proper garden and it will be hard to get the living space warm during the winter.

Lovely house. Buy i 😊 Amazon, Tesco, Sainsburys all deliver.

I've just read a book where Compton is mentioned, this one as I looked it up on a map, but that phrase went through my mind too, I've heard it but never understood what it means!

It’s basically on the M3, so not remote. 9 mins to a big Sainsbury’s and 13 mins to the station. Again, not remote. You’ll be driving everywhere because you’re not living in a town, and it’s the biggest complaint of anyone moving out of a big town/city. Re value for money, I can’t stand a barn conversion - so definitely not worth the price tag to me! But you’re basically paying for the land. People will pay what they think something’s worth, so only you can answer that.

You can't guarantee a view though.
They could decide to build a sewage plant on that nice big space.

You’re quite close to the M3 as the crow flies - from the title I thought it was going to be the back of beyond.

Weigh up whether you’re happy with the extra costs of fuel, parking etc but surely, you have views and land and a house you’re happy with - is it a compromise you could make? I do think you’ll get used to popping out quite quickly

They have been trying to sell that house since 2021. I asked my other half who is a structural engineer, he said that the bow inwards of the wall with all the windows is structurally concerning especially as the barn appears to have not have it's roof supports altered.
It's oil heating which would cost an absolute fortune with a galleried landing and according to one report on one of the local paper listings online, you can hear the M3 continuously.
Avoid...

Listen to stuff like this. It’s so easy these days to track how long a property has been marketed (even where it’s gone on / come off repeatedly). There is a reason it hasn’t sold. If you are truly interested, you need to ask the agent why any previous sales have fallen through. They are required to give you an honest response. If you offer and begin the process of surveys / solicitors fees etc, you will just expend a load of money and pull out once you discover the issues.

A friend of mine lives about 3 miles from the nearest pub and about twice that from the nearest shop and has done for a long time. She finds it naff that she can't get a takeaway delivered, but that's it. Apart from that she loves it, she has a tonne of outside space, can see the stars at night and can make as much noise as she wants. She also loves to drive and cycle. She doesn't have children either so she doesn't have to worry about them getting about.

It is absolutely not for me though. I like to be a able to walk to the shop to grab something I've forgotten, have a takeaway delivered, walk to the pub for a drink, get on a bus/to the station and leave the car at home sometimes.

This is a friends house which is only ‘off the market’ as they were told things are slow at the minute. It is Gorgeous and a short walk into Winchester. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146146568#/?channel=RES_BUY

I'm amused at the idea that anything 3 miles from Winchester could be described as remote!

However, more seriously, do you have any experience of living in the countryside or are you among the south-west London exodus to Winchester and surrounds? DH and I did a similar move a few years ago from suburbia to a similar-ish (but smaller!) house closer to the coast. DH loves it because although he grew up mostly in cities he is very sporty and outdoorsy and this gives him the time and opportunity to pursue those activities. I am probably more in the camp of tolerating it because I have "muscle memory" of growing up in a similar environment.

The big drawbacks for me are broadband speed/mobile reception. We have no mobile signal here and when we were both working could only manage two conference calls and nothing else - anyone else in the house needed not to stream or download or even use their phone! I can't imagine you will have the same difficulties but do check because it impacts every part of our lives nowadays:

no Deliveroo, Uber etc. Doesn't bother me too much but it may be a shock if it's been part of your life;

Having to get in the car for EVERYTHING. Like you I could walk previously to our local train station, doctor, newsagent, various friends, coffee shops etc. Everything takes a lot more organising now. I always have to drive myself to every book club or evening out because people live over a more scattered area and there's no public transport. Check the taxi situation as well. I'm sure being that close to Winchester it shouldn't be a problem but useful to check that you don't need to book one (as you do here often) days in advance.

On the house itself, yes it will cost a fortune to heat and you may not be too happy about sitting on the ground floor in the winter evenings staring out at a wall of blackness. I would hate it but I think it would be tricky and mega-expensive to arrange any curtains/blinds for that expanse. Also, coming from suburbia to what looks like working fields around, be prepared for a lot more dust and insects.

No idea on the price as I don't know that area well enough but Winchester in general is pricy and attracts people with deep pockets.

If you are used to 5 cafes outside the door, I am guessing you live in London or the centre of another city?

I would also guess if you are asking the question as to whether it will feel remote, the whole city living with everything on your doorstep is something you enjoy?

So the answer (for you) is probably yes.