When to move...next year or 3 years?!

[CelestialCandyfloss]

Hey all, hope everyone is doing ok during this long old month! 😩😩
I've got a bit of a dilemma that I'd like to hear thoughts on.
I'm 51 and work full-time. My DD is Yr 10, GCSEs next year. Her school doesn't have a VI Form so she will be leaving to go to another college when she's finished GCSEs.
My problem is I am really wanting to move. I've lived in my flat for 20 years. I live in a fairly ok area, but I'm so bored. Plus am so stressed and fed up with dealing with leasehold issues. I can't be dealing with this when I'm in my '70's. I can't afford anywhere decent (freehold / house) in my city, on one income, seriously house prices are ridiculous ('average' £350k for an ordinary 2-3 bed semi). Plus I really want a change - I feel my life has been on hold for a few years now.

My plan is to move to a town about an hour away. I need to be close to my city for 2 days in the office per week, and want to be near parents.

My dilemma is do I move between DD GCSEs and A levels or wait 3 more years til she's done with school and A levels? Part of me thinks it would be sensible to wait...more money for move, less disruption, time to get my flat and garden up together, less left on my mortgage; but I feel so lonely here, I don't have any friends (so hard being single in the suburbs lol couples and old mum friends just don't bother anymore). All the so called mum friends I had just fizzled out when I stopped being the one making all the effort. My work friends live miles away.

Do I suck it up for 3 more years for the sake of my daughter?? Have any of you been through this, especially as a single parent? I guess maybe INBU but I am being very conflicted.
Thanks x 💖

Moving after GCSEs and before sixth form should work ok. Are there good options near where you want to move to?
We are in a similar stuck position where we don’t like where we live but moving would mean taking on a bigger mortgage so we are waiting until the kids leave and we can downsize. It’s frustrating so I’d move if you can.

There will never be a good time to move so it seems obvious to do it before she starts college - she'll have to change schools for that anyway. If you think you need more money to move, it likely won't appear in there years as you will then, presumably, have to top up her student loan. So now is as good time as ever.

There is a good college near where we are now, and an even better one near where I'd like to move. I'm just panicking that I will struggle with timescales. I know I could afford a 'better' long term house if I wait because I will be 3 more grades up my salary spine, and only about £30k left on my current mortgage. It's just the disruption and fear versus being stuck for 3 more years but ahead more financially.

I agree there doesn't seem to be the 'ideal' time to move. I am just wondering if I will give myself more leeway if I wait. I won't have to worry about student loans etc til she's 18.

I think I'd also be thinking about your age and how readily the banks would be willing to give you a sensible mortgage offer. My friend attempted to buy a larger property at 53 and, despite having a good job, healthy savings and existing mortgage-free property, they struggled to find a good mortgage offer. So I would check it all out as well before making a decision to wait (providing, you are not buying for cash).
Not to mention, judging by how my own move is going, I am now 16 months in trying to buy a property and who knows long much longer it is going to take.

Gosh that's a long time for your move, that sounds very stressful.
I don't think I will be wanting to buy a much more expensive / larger property, as I am potentially moving to a cheaper area. I also don't think my property will be too hard to sell as it is a perfect first time buyer property, it's excellent value in the high cost area I currently live, and other similar ones have sold in weeks. But you never know with house buying and selling! I haven't spoken to any mortgage advisors yet, but it's definitely worth bearing in mind. Not sure how much difference 3 years would make though?

@CelestialCandyflossGo for it. We have decided to move. It’s expensive and hard work - sorting the house out etc but ultimately I think it will be worth it for us all. It’s a bit of a fresh start and sounds like the new area will work better for you both.