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Original poster

Moving house... Wwyd?

12 replies

Hazel997 · 29/08/2019 21:39

Not sure if this is the right place to post but can't find anything completely applicable!

Basically I'm renting a property at present (I'm a student parent) and am not particularly struggling financially. I've moved here from South so house prices are significantly cheaper.

I've been in a apartment for the past year but now that the fixed term has ended I've viewed some houses which are cheaper (just over £100 cheaper a month)

Everytime I potentially move I get so anxious (worry about neighbours, noise, just anything really) which is putting me off moving.

I have no real reason to move as I'm not struggling, other than the fact that a house would be more spatious and wouldn't have to lug things up the stairs constantly. Plus I would obviously save money, and my intention is to save to travel after uni for a bit with my DD.

Wwyd in my situation?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

GreenTulips · 29/08/2019 21:41

Knock on doors!! Speak to neighbours. Go at different times and see what’s it like

3:30, 8 pm 10 pm etc

Shadowboy · 29/08/2019 21:44

One thing is a house has the potential to be less noisy than an apartment as there are fewer adjoining neighbours. Is there any chance you can speak to current tenants as they are likely to be honest.

Original poster

Hazel997 · 29/08/2019 21:45

@greentulips I've thought about that although I didn't want to come accross odd knocking on people's! Perhaps I should give it a go

Unfortunately the estate agents knew little about the neighbours of the properties I've visited

OP posts:

GreenTulips · 29/08/2019 21:50

Nobody thinks it odd

What would you say to someone who knocked your door? Or came to view your property? It’s quite standard

Original poster

Hazel997 · 29/08/2019 21:51

@shadowboy I'm on the end in my current place so I only have one person below and one to the side, although recently they've both been re-let so I don't know the new neighbours here.

However saying that, my apartment before this I had neighbours from hell so it's giving me massive anxiety.

OP posts:

SamBeckett · 29/08/2019 21:54

I agree with @greentulips , go at different times of the day and week days as well as weekends .
Walk ( rather than drive ) around the area to get a proper look around.
If you pass some one ask for directions to paper shop/ bank / hairdressers / supermarket etc see how friendly they react .
Though to be fair if they are a bit short with you it may just be that they are having a bad day .
See if you can find a face book group for the area .
Go to the pubs / cafes .
see it there is a local ( normally the free type news paper )
Are at least some of the gardens well kept or are they all full of rubbish ?
Is fly tipping / graffiti a problem ?

PennyGold · 29/08/2019 21:56

I've just moved house and a big factor for me would be the moving.. it's exhausting!
Something I found useful was typing the town/ street into Google and clicking "news". I almost moved to a street that had five stabbings in one night due to drugs.. it looked decent when I did a "drive by" so I'd recommend doing that!

KellyHall · 29/08/2019 21:57

It is totally normal to knock on people's doors. And think of it this way: if they're polite and friendly, you have a good indication they'll be good neighbours and if they're arseholes, they probably wouldn't be.

If this move can afford you and dd some memory making adventures, I would do it in a heartbeat!

Original poster

Hazel997 · 29/08/2019 22:19

Thanks everyone, I'll most likely go and have a knock and see from there!

It's not far from my current place and in all honestly I don't much about my current area as I moved with no prior knowledge and tend to drive out mainly. The only good thing is that most in my current block are working and professionals so not home 24/7 or causing trouble.

I would be out a fair bit during the day so it's just weekends and evenings I'd be there and I tend to explore a lot anyway it just would be benefitial to have more room and save more but not sure 100% if it's worth it.

OP posts:

Techway · 29/08/2019 22:44

Would the tenancy on new place be as secure? Moving is exhausting, time consuming and costly, if you move are you sure it will be for your timeframe?

Original poster

Hazel997 · 29/08/2019 22:49

@techway I'm assuming it would be a 1 year fixed term as most are, so that would generally be fine. I have another 2 years of the course so would hope that I could stay for the 2 years.

I'm fairly used to moving now and have another month left holiday so I do have the time, but yes obviously it is expensive which is a downfall but as they've scrapped the referencing fees it would only be the normal rent upfront and deposit whicj isn't a problem as I will get that back from my current place! I haven't got an awful lot of belongings either

OP posts:

Techway · 30/08/2019 07:13

I think it's something you want to do but I would just check why the rent is cheaper? Is is less desirable for schools, transport?

I think you can mitigate the risks of neighbours by visiting and absolutely no harm in knocking the door and chatting with the neighbours.

£100 a month is a good saving and assume utilities such as council tax would not be more expensive then it seems worth it.

Good luck and well done in studying and being a mum!

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