Tonbridge or Winchester? Rightmove links. Rightmove psychosis driving me mad

[TonbridgeorWinchester]

Unreasonable for Tonbidge
Reasonable for Winchester

Winchester pros:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/94504308#/?channel=RESBUY

>unrivalled beauty and prestige
>I will be at home among fellow snobs
>extended family in area
>3/4 beds depending on setup so could take in entire immediate family in emergency plus future baby's room
(my entire immediate family have precarious living situations. Parents both destitute)
>spacious, double size of Tonbridge
>can be renovated and increase in value

Tonbridge pros:
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/92164008#/?channel=RESBUY

>1hr to LGW
>40 min to Ldn
>no/negligible mortgage needed, mainly cash purchase (great because i fkn hate working)
>exposed beams (biggest compromised i'd be making on winchester..)
>mum prefers this house to Winchester flat

I'm 28 years old, work remotely in finance but want to return to teaching in the near future. Hope to have one baby in about 9 years time.

Which one is a better fit? Will be moving in with bf who will have no stake in the property.

Neither property has parking. Do you drive? Have a car? I don’t know Winchester well but do know Tonbridge and that road is double yellows so nearest parking is some distance away. You wouldn’t be able to even pull up and unload unless it’s early morning/evening. Tonbridge is a bit of a mixed bag and nowhere near as “posh” as Winchester so your inner snob will be somewhat uncomfortable.

I don't drive. Partner will learn and there is a car park 2 minute walk away with council permit.

Tonbridge flat is so small as to be unliveable imho

Can you expound this please

It's a house. It's fine its only for 2-3 people.

Tonbridge has some good and not so good areas. Just like anywhere. Good schools for 11+.

Winchester for all the reasons, and it's nicer inside

The only pull for Tonbridge based on your information is that it will be a cash purchase. However if you have to look at the actually property and town then Winchester hands down.

fair enough, it looks tiny, I cant imagine where your basic appliances and furniture would fit in, let alone general stuff. okay it's a house but it's the size of a studio flat really. which is okay for a YP in the city but for a couple very tight and not realistic with a baby

Rightmove psychosis? 🤨

I would choose Winchester over Tonbridge any day, and that property is much nicer anyway.

No idea about Tonbridge but Winchester is all fur coat and no knickers.

??? expound

Tonbridge, perfect for two, cash buy and freehold

That's a fairly busy road in Winch

Thats a lovely spot in Tonbridge. Does seem small, though useful storage area off the hall.

@TonbridgeorWinchester
I live in the New Forest but worked in and around Winchester for many years and I think it is massively overrated.

The traffic is a waking nightmare and it is full of entitled, braying students.

It seems like hardly anyone in Winchester is actually from Winchester which gives it the feel of a giant set rather than a genuine county town.

Very expensive for what you actually get although I suppose that depends on where you are coming from.

I just don’t like the place as I’m sure you can tell.

Do you have children? Schools in Winchester are all good. I don't know anything about Tonbridge. Happy to answer any questions about Winchester. Lovely place although motorway at Winnall ( going north) has roadworks for at least 18 more months so going to be bit of a nightmare getting in for a while. Not too bad getting out. Lovely walks etc..
.

How long have you lived there, would you ever move? Do you ever get bored of it? How easy is it to get to airport? What are the state schools like?

You’d find Tonbridge tiny with a baby, all their equipment takes up loads of space and the rooms are very wee. And you don’t really want an infant sleeping on a different floor from you up a tight staircase - not practical when they scream for you in the night. You’ll end up breaking your neck or theirs going up and down half asleep.

No guaranteed parking at either house is a real downside - I’m in a historic town and we have a real problem where despite having permits, there aren’t ever enough parking spaces in the little car park for the residents as well as everyone coming in to shop or visit. Imagine coming home with a baby and parking a way away, having to get a pram out in the rain and carry all your shopping a few streets home, as opposed to pulling up on the drive and dashing a few seconds to your door.

But if you’re not planning to have a child in this house, and don’t care about the lack of parking, go for the one which suits you now. Just bear in mind that financially, I don’t think you’ll be in such a good position again if you go back to teaching, so think carefully about whether you will have trouble upsizing when you do start a family.

Why of all the properties on right move have you come down to those two?

What were your parameters that resulted in such different sizes, areas and budgets?

answering this question would take too much time. I've been gazumped, I've been underbid and still lost to the underbidder becasue the agent didn't like me, I've put 5 offers on a home that sat on the market for a year with no other offers and the owner still rejected mine and is holding out for someone to pay her 17% above market value.

I'm losing my mind trying to buy a home. I can't take it anymore.

But surely you know you have maximum budget of X and a preference on where you want to live?

I would be wary personally of a period property, especially a period flat. Because of maintenance issues, upkeep and insulation.

Tonbridge - if you are okay with no bathtub. It’s beautiful and absolutely big enough to last you for a while. I don’t think you should buy a place to accommodate extended family, they are not your responsibility. Small/no mortgage will see you through a career change and starting a family. London commutability should ensure long term value. Tunbridge Wells is nearby and very snooty.