Moving house

[user1495785177]

Hello, would like to get people’s opinions please.
We have needed to move to a larger property for a while (DH and I both working from him) DC are 6 and 10. We have had an offer accepted on a property out of our current area by about 8 miles. In our current area the high school is not great and the new area has a good high school.
we have made the decision to keep the kids in current primary for the next year and then the eldest will go to the good secondary and we will move the youngest to a local primary.

I’m now getting very upset and worried we are doing the wrong thing. We absolutely love our current village, know lots of people and enjoy village life. We both have demanding jobs so I’m concerned about the travelling backwards and forwards for the initial year. My youngest is thriving and popular in her current school and worried she will never settle as well once we move her.
Our current house really isn’t working for us (and we have been looking for about 3 years in this area, they don’t come up) but they are building a couple of new houses which would do (but a risk in case we didn’t get one and not as big as the one we have had an offer accepted on)
if we stayed then the eldest DC would be trying for a grammar school which he has been tutored for. However if he didn’t get in we would have to accept a much less than ideal school.
My head is saying move but my heart is desperately saying stay. We have lots of friends and support around here and I’m worried we will never get that community again.
If anyone has been in a similar situation, I would love to hear what you have done.

A better secondary school long term is surely more worthwhile than the initial back and forth that you’ll have to do in the first year?
You can keep in touch with your friends regularly during your free time.
Long term it seems like a no brainier.
Wishing you all the best in your new home.

@Littlemunchkinsmummy thanks so much for replying. It does seem like the most sensible option. I just can’t get my heart to accept this.
We have lived here for 12 years. We have the most wonderful life surrounded by gorgeous countryside and have really close friends we can spend time with and bump into on walks round the village.
The new area is also nice but not as rural as we are used to (and love) The house isn’t exactly what we wanted but the choice was sparse (due to the good school)
Think I’m just worried about ignoring my gut instincts and regretting it. Instead of being excited, I am filled with dread every time I think about it all!

That’s understandable that a new area for you and your family could be daunting.
But I’ve read on threads that rural can be difficult for teenagers as they are unable to have amenities close by that would enable their social interactions?
I understand your attachment too, our children are very young but we have planned to move within 3 years as the secondary schools in our area are awful. The house is where they took their first bath/steps/words/food but that’s a small snippet of their life. The teenage years are so vulnerable and the right school will make the world of difference.
Once you’re settled it will be wonderful, it will probably take some time but knowing you’re setting up your children to greater prospects will be worth it.
Also it may lead you to some of the best times in your life.
Will keep everything crossed for you and your family.

Can you not build an extension?