Should we move back closer to shops despite the school catchment?

[Namesnamesnames13]

I am in two minds. Moved from a flat 5 months ago, a nice big flat in a location that we loved to a 3 bed house to be in the school catchment area and for a garden and driveway. Didn’t need to move so far away from shops etc but have ended up 1.5 miles from shops etc. Really struggling, miss everything had on the doorstep. Do we just move back to where we were and move back to catchment area for secondary school, or a different house in the school area but nearer shops. Selfishly I want to be back in the area moved from just for a few more years but moved here for the kids and so tempted to go back for all the great cafes etc. would be less money too for probably a feeling of more space in a flat. But no garden or driveway. Although I hate HAVING to drive everywhere now!

help!

Is it really worth all the upheaval, moving costs, stamp duty etc just to be closer to shops? You’re only 1.5 miles away!

Aye, youre not that far, I’d just stay where you are.

A mile and a half is nothing.
I grew up on a ordinary housing estate (of a medium size town) that was a half an hour walk into the town centre (ie about a mile and a half).
It was completely normal that if you wanted cafes, big shops and any other facilities like the cinema or swimming pool you walked/bused/drove into town.
The estate had (still has) a Co-op and a chip shop but in these modern times of home delivery, just eat etc you could easily live without them.
I certainly wouldn't sacrifice having my own garden for a slightly nearer cafe and some shops.

Is it too difficult to walk? 1.5 miles should only take you half an hour, much easier than driving each time, if you can.

The closest I’ve ever lived to the school, the nearest shops etc is seven miles. Currently it’s eight miles to my nearest corner shop.

You talk about school catchment areas so I assume that is one reason that you moved. Can you stay until your children are attending the school that you want and then, if you are still unhappy, move. It might be that you are feeling settled by then anyway.

Are you renting? If so, I suppose it’s easy enough to move if you are unhappy - I’d hate driving everywhere tops

Er, what's wrong with a bicycle?

I would hate that too, but I think you are probably just going through a period of adjustment. If just nipping to the shops has become an expedition, don't use the car and get a bike instead.

Get a bicycle. Quicker than walking, more fun than driving and no parking faff. 1.5 miles should take about ten minutes.

Teaching your children that 1.5 miles is walking distance will be a fantastic benefit for them.

Half an hours walk to the nearest shop is very inconvenient and I couldn't be doing with it. I like being able to pop out for something and be back in 10 minutes. Especially in winter when it's dark and cold. But each to their own on that. It must be quite an upheaval moving and getting settled.

Are you in the UK? Stamp Duty surely makes this kind of back and forth move stupidly costly

You really aren’t very far and good schools are better than good cafes