Do we need an extension/ bigger house?

[MoonAndStarsAndSky]

We live in a 3 double bed 1,650 square foot semi detached house.

The house is modern and very nice. Garden is medium sized, it's ok nothing too fancy.

Our DD is in a private prep school and we have another on the way. I feel like partly because of DD's school we may be living in a bubble where we mix with a lot of people wealthier than we are, and it's making me question if we have enough space.

Do most people have spare bedrooms and play rooms? I feel like we need more space now but I'm not sure if I'm just being a bit brainwashed.

Jesus fucking Christ

Well, I mean, you don't need more space but if you want it and can afford it then why not?!

Seriously?

Only you can answer that. You will always tend to fill whatever space you have.

You probably are getting a skewed view if you are mixing with your DC’s school friends.

Are you joking? You clearly live in a very privileged and elite bubble. Utterly bizarre mindset to think you need a bigger house because other people have bigger houses. Make sure your kids grow up appreciating what they have.

Don’t you have the ability to work out how much space your family needs? This is such a bizarre post!

Jesus Christ.

I feel like partly because of DD's school we may be living in a bubble where we mix with a lot of people wealthier than we are, and it's making me question if we have enough space.

This is ridiculous.

You can't make major life decisions based on what some randoms at your DD's school do with their money.

If others look down upon you because your property is smaller than theirs, then they are not people you should be friends with.

Just remind them how many people in this country use food banks if they do.

Don't be so ridiculous. I've lived in a 2 bed flat with no garden for all of DS's life and his friends love our place because I'm always welcoming to them, whatever they need.

Surely it depends what you can afford and do you really want to move. I'd love a 5 bed so everyone has their own room and a guest room but that's not within our budget so we stick to our 3 bed terrace

What’s the private prep school relevant for 😂

If you’ve always wanted an extension and can afford it with no issue, go for it. If it’s an attempt to keep up with the Jones’s I wouldn’t bother - I say this without malice, but you’ll never keep up because someone else will always have something more.

I don't know, are you struggling for space? Can you afford a bigger house in the wealthier areas?

There will always be someone richer, funnier, prettier, cleverer! Driving a better car, living in a bigger house but you need to afford those things.

In your position I would be more concerned about the long term costs of private education noting your dc1 is already in prep school!

Ha ha 😂good one, OP

Is someone having a laugh?

Slow down Mrs Jones. I can't keep up.

Wow. I worry for you!

Definitely. It must be detached, though, an absolute necessity, with surrounding grounds.

One must keep up with the fforbes-Hamiltons and de Veres!

Not sure what you want people to say….do you need to move? No. Will loads of parents of prep school kids have bigger, nicer houses than you? Yes. If this bothers you, then get a bigger, better house. If it doesn’t, don’t.

Put stamp duty money towards converting the loft, if you're feeling the urge for more space

Don't be a sheep op

Most people don't, but obviously if the kids are in private school you'll be mixing with richer people and getting a different perspective. Just don't let yourself get into keeping up with the Joneses mode - make your decisions based on what's right for your life and your budget.

A playroom is a great thing with DC if you can afford it, especially if it has garden access - you just shut the door on all the mess. And when they're teens is great to have a second reception room where you can shut the door on the noise of their music / video games / friends. But just ignore what other people are doing, and do what's right for you.

Three bedrooms, one child. How on earth are you squeezing her in? And where does the pony sleep?

Surely it is better to save for the 2nd child's prep fees rather than waste it on a bigger house. Stop being a fucking sheep.

As usual, Mumsnet are being unnecessarily awful to someone who’s having conflicting thoughts about lifestyle due to external influences. Typical. As if no one here, ever, has ever looked around them and wondered if life would be better on a higher salary, a new job, a larger house or a different location.

It depends on how you feel about the space you have OP, but with another baby on the way, I think at the moment it’s hard to know how you will feel about the space – when they are born and when they grow up. So I’d park it for now and see how you feel as time goes on.

We have two kids in a 4-bed, so have a spare room, which is used as an office and for laundry, so we find that very useful. We also have a playroom to keep all the kids’ stuff and a small utility which has been useful as we are always doing some sort of DIY or renovation.

Personally I love having these extra spaces as I appreciate breathing room in my home and a feeling of separation away from other people.

I would say none of these things have much to do with other people’s homes – we don’t live in a very wealthy bubble. Yes, I do see other larger, more luxurious homes and think how lovely it would be to live in them, but it’s not going to happen so I don’t dwell on it. If it ‘could’ happen by stretching ourselves in ways we are comfortable to, then yes, I might be tempted!