AIBU to move to a cheaper less “naice” area

[HooMoo]

We currently live in a 3 bed terrace, one baby, two dogs, myself and husband. We need to move to a semi or ideally detached property.

This will probably be majorly outing but I think it gives more context. We are currently in Bradford on Avon - lovely but expensive!

Originally we were thinking max budget £600k but our mortgage would be £2k-£2.2k a month and it just feels too much.

We are now seriously considering Trowbridge - the next town along. We are viewing a house this Thursday there, on the BOA side of Trowbridge literally 5 minutes drive to our old house. We’d release equity around £70-£80k from the sale. It feels mad because a year or two ago I’d never consider this.

But now with a baby, nursery fees and I really want another baby soonish and we’ll need a bigger car it suddenly just makes sense. I’d also be able to go 3 days a week work and it just feels so relaxed financially.

So aibu to even consider this move? Interested as well to hear of people who are local to the area as well.

Everyone (well nearly everyone) needs to weigh up these dilemmas. I would consider the school situation where the new house would be, I'd consider the transport links, the fact that it's a different town wouldn't bother me as much as long as it felt safe and I could walk to what I needed

I don't know these areas so can't comment specifically but in our group of friends, those that have moved to a less naice area for a bigger house have more regrets than those who stayed in the naice area but upsized much more slowly. Consider schools, toddler groups, local parks and other community provision - if it all stacks up then obviously financially it makes perfect sense but go in with a very critical eye!

Trowbridge is okay isn't it?

Do what you need to do - you don't need anyone's approval for not wanting to fork out £2k + a month on a mortgage.

Location, location, location!

Trowbridge is fine if you pick the right part. I was priced out of Bath years ago and I'd much rather enjoy my money on a daily basis instead of paying for a postcode.

You’re right Trowbridge is absolutely fine. Plenty of families live here lots of toddler groups (cuz I already go to them as less on in boa). I think I’m overthinking it tbh especially as we are looking in the nicer areas etc.

Transport links are the same as same train line and same bus route, although arguably Trowbridge is better connected as more bus routes run through there.

Schools are ok, not as good as BOA secondary but it’s ok. The catholic school here has historically been better academically than the one in BOA actually and I was reading the admissions the other day and they’re actually accepting non-catholics now.

Its also safe, yes some rough areas but not where we are looking.

I moved to " not so nice" area because it enabled me to buy a bigger house with a really big garden - it was the garden I wanted. And I've had nothing but trouble from the local children and youths who target my garden. I'm seen as an oddity because I care about it.
I was stupid: the town I live in overall has a really good reputation. I'd only been here 4 years before I moved to my present home. And naively didn't even realise that I was moving into an area with social problems because it isn't immediately obvious.
So I don't know the areas you are talking about but I would urge you to thoroughly research the neighbourhood you are moving into so you are aware of it's character.

I know those towns well, I almost moved to Trowbridge once but we lost the house that we wanted and ended up in Frome (which wasn't particularly desirable in 2013). Bradford on Avon is gorgeous, but having a house that works for you is more important. We always felt like Trowbridge was due a bit of gentrification with the rail link and the large amount of period terraces, but it never seemed to happen whilst we lived in the area. It might still happen?? Maybe it's been happening all along and just hasn't been as noticeable as Frome's rise!
We also did a house move last year that took us from that very nice town with farmers' markets etc to a town on the coast where people inhaled when you said the name of it 😂 There are nice bits of every town and good people everywhere. Having a bigger house makes life easier and you will find community anywhere, even if you have to search a little harder for it. If you're thinking of moving there you won't be the only one.

We live in Trowbridge! I like it here. BOA is so much more expensive and you have to deal with the traffic and the flooding. Obviously you need to think about which areas, but there is some good investment here in T and lots of community drive. The library in particular is very proactive. My kids have all had a good experience with clubs, schools etc.

Thanks for responding :) agree we love the library for rhyme times etc. and been to some children’s centre classes there too! Much better than the boa one with the set up. I already have friends in Trowbridge, mum friends and friends from school who moved to Trowbridge for the same reasons we are considering.

Agree with the flooding as well! Two days last week we were cornered in our end of town with no way out!

We moved ten years ago to a house on the outskirts of a seaside town that isn’t well thought of. The house was just what we wanted and far enough away for the town not to bother us. Over time though, the town encroached more and more into our area. We started getting anti social behaviour, the roads got worse and ours started to become a rat run to avoid the main road. It really got to me eventually.

We’ve recently moved again, about 20 minutes away and the difference is amazing. So, I agree, look very carefully at the area at different times of day. One estate agent said our house would be worth £50K more a bit further away.

I don't know what Trowbridge is like as long as it's not full of crime and you'd be too scared to go out then YANBU. I've never understood the obsession with location. I live in a not great area and it means I can afford to enjoy life on a low ish salary. It's not a scary area, just not particularly desirable.

Trowbridge is very functional and probably very much the practical option.
Not many places are as picturesque as BoA and can understand the dilemma of essentially moving away from what is seen as an aspirational area. But if it doesn't work for you, then it doesn't work for you.

Don't know either towns well, but where we are is the very functional, practical option to use a pp's phrase . There are nicer towns nearby but the houses are a lot more expensive. Still visit the other towns.

Our town has always had good schools . Worth considering if you have dc that are school age.

I have met ppl who are very snooty about our town in comparison with the other nearby places but I feel like pointing out the price of houses in the respective places.

I'd suggest thinking about the long term and your OWN priorities whether that's house size, garden, transport, schools, access to hobbies or clubs that are location specific, shops and other amenities, proximity to family, etc.
We'll be moving in a few years (hopefully) to get access to better secondary schools and be nearer our aging family, but no one else round here seems bothered that the secondary schools are crap, so as I say, it's a personal decision.

Thank you for your replies I agree with previous poster that Trowbridge is more practice and functional which tbh with a young family is what suits us really! Even in BOA we could end up with a house the right size but completely impractical due to awkward location up a hill, no parking etc.

Were also in Trowbridge a lot anyway for swimming classes and shopping.

I did a little explore today as well and parked up near the potential house and walked into town and had a coffee which was lovely. Lots of other mums there with babies so it’s getting more and more appealing!

We’d also have enough money to put in our own kitchen, bathroom etc. and have a utility room with dog shower!!! I’ve always wanted to design a space that works for us as a family.

I've done a similar thing and moved from a very desirable area to a town that's considered very undesirable in the county, however I could get so much more for my money (a house vs a squat), that it was a no brainer.

I don't notice any anti social behaviour near my doorstep although there is apparently some in the centre, so I feel it really depends on the road you live on to be honest. Some streets will be totally fine and well looked after and others might not be great.
The main thing I notice is that the street view is less cute and not as well looked after, but all things considered, for me it is a small price to pay. Neighbours are fine.

I appreciate it differs from town to town though, but if you have friends there and know the area and it seems fine, then it probably is worth it. Especially since it is not going to be a great distance from your current location.

You spent a lot of time in your actual house and garden, so you want that to be as close as possible to what you need, rather than compromise on that for the sake of a postcode. You can still go for walks and shopping in nearby towns that are nicer.

My older (and wiser!) sister said many many years ago that she would prefer to live in the worst house in the best part of town than the best house in the worst part. For me, this holds true. I have a regular sized 3 bed semi in a lovely area. Could afford a 4 bed detached in a less nice area but I am happy with my choice.

Should add that I’m not worried about crime in Trowbridge. It really isn’t that bad unless you’re in one area. I think my worry is I’ll regret the convenience of living in boa as we have coffee shops, greengrocers, health food shop etc. right on our doorstep and lovely walks. I suppose it’s missing the “vibe” of the area. But then I think that having a bigger house and what we actually want is more important.

Generally Trowbridge is OK, not visited in a while. Has some not so nice parts, but where doesn't? I like BoA, only really pop there for Harlees fish and chips, the traffic usually puts us off going through BoA as people are scared to drive past other cars up or down the hill.

Aside from the traffic (+lorries getting stuck on the bridge) the recent floods would put me off BoA.

I live in an area I would never have considered pre kids but with them it is great. It is less nice than where we were but released £120k and have tiny mortgage now which is lovely. However while less nice for us that means just not the beautiful old town houses and a boring 1970s estate and it is actually a really lovely area with lots of families

This is exactly what I think it would be like for us. Not as aesthetically pleasing area but for kids a lot more on in terms of clubs and activities. And lots of families etc.

We moved out of a city where house prices were going mad. Cashed in our equity and moved into a similarly sized house for 30% less than it would have cost in desirable city. It's a large village really where we live now but with amenities I can walk to (pub, Costa, supermarket, gym). I never regretted it.

I live in the South West and, whilst Trowbridge isn't BOA (what is!), the nicer areas are fine. I would personally rather enjoy life, my kids, dogs and DH rather than be saddled with a crippling mortgage any day of the week. I don't know about schools in Trowbridge but if you're confident about that go for it. House prices are never going to de-value wherever you buy in the UK.