Asking for the wise mumsnetters to help me find a house in this area…

[Finddneahouse]

I’m a single parent with budget of 700k but ideally I’d like to spend closer to 600k.

I would consider South Peak District, Ashbourne, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, rugeley, Lichfield,… any small towns or villages really that are reasonably close.

I am finding it so hard alone and have nobody to help or chat with about the options (other than my wonderful friends but I find it a bit awkward to discuss I don’t know why!). Ds is 6 and i would like him to have his own space and perhaps a bit of garden.

It might help if you say what you need - number of bedrooms / facilities etc. I’m sure there’s plenty of houses for £600k in that wide area you’ve stated

@MrsGhostly I am currently in a 4 bedroom property but it needs extensive work outside (massive garden) and has a strange layout with a few bathrooms but non en-suite for example. Utility room would be wonderful. Ideally detached. Every time I see somewhere I panic and think I can’t move but I am wanting to reduce my hours at some point and need to move before then for the mortgage to work.

So it’s not that you can’t find anywhere / want help, but that you’re not sure if you should move or, at least, are struggling to actually do it

@MrsGhostly no I can’t find anywhere suitable, started looking in Feb

Location location location 😂

Why don't you go on Rightmove, and put those areas in the search box? Then create a shortlist and share it on here.
Then people can give the pros and cons of the property and the specific area?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/172680020

But there are hundreds of properties on Rightmove that fit the very loose criteria you’ve posted on here. It’s hardly needle in a haystack. So what’s wrong with all of those?

What would constitute "suitable"? Can you share your likes/dislikes/must haves?

What is important to you in a house (within your price range)? Consider some specifics of what to look for when you start looking at photos on property sites and then viewing actual houses: style, age, size, condition, decor, storeys, windows, roof, walls, setting, outlook, position and sunlight; street view and whether overlooked or comfortably private; outside space, parking fences, walls, paths, access for bins or to garden, priority facilities, bedrooms, kitchen, dining, living rooms, WCs, cloakroom; town or country or suburb; infrastructure, schools, shopping, churches, pubs, transport links, sports, social amenities, indoor or outdoor, distance to family or friends.

We don't yet know what you like or dislike and perhaps you haven't pinned down specifics yet. Anything you can do to narrow it down and clarify your preferences will help with your search.

I moved to Matlock last year from Leicester with DD(6) and we’ve settled lovely. Great little town, plenty nearby, gorgeous scenery and good schools.

600k would get you something pretty nice, but as PP, we’d need a little more info to advise specifically.

I really like Matlock - lovely place.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87670359

Do you need grammar schools close? Might be worth starting with that as a search criteria if so

Presume you want facilities, schools etc.. so not really rural. Start by looking at towns or large villages, list the pros and cons of each, research the schools. It’s better to ask on here for recommendations of areas rather than to find an actual house.

What's "suitable"? Ate you looking for a smaller place? If so, I am sure your budget gives you a lot of choice. Or are you looking for something of a similar size but with ensuite?
Could it be the issue that you are not exactly sure what it is you want and that makes you feel as though there is nothing available?