Confused about staying in new build for community or moving to a bigger place - WWYD?

[MyKookyHelper]

Two kids DS8 and DD2. Currently living in a new build estate with a very warm community. DS8 plays with the neighbouring kids, they are in and out of each others' houses a lot and all go to the same primary school.
We are currently feeling cramped for space as is the problem with all new builds. There is an opportunity to move out of the new build estate to another house near by which would be a 1930s build, but we would not have this type of organic community of friends. DS8 would largely be by himself once back from school whereas here he plays with his friends for a few hours before coming back home.
It is too early for DD2, but I suspect she will also find a set of friends here when she gets older.
So we are very confused about whether we continue to live here, but sacrifice space and make this our forever home? And assume that kids will find friends wherever. Or whether we take the plunge and shift to a bigger place even if it means that DS8 will not meet his friends so organically and I will need to arrange for playdates.

I also wanted to mention that if we did move it would be to a place closer to shops and the train station. Right now our new build is around a 40 minute walk or 10 mins by car to the station and a 3 minute drive to a small off licence. That's also another factor to consider moving for us.

Are houses on your current estate all the same size or any option for a bigger one if came on the market? Or an extension?

There are a few bigger detached houses in the estate. We could also consider an extension to make it our potential forever home. But these new builds will still never feel as expansive as the 1930 builds due to the lowered ceilings, and cramped hallways and limited gardens.

Why would he be by himself? Is this area very far from his primary school?

It is a 15 minute walk from school. After school and weekends, outside of this estate children don't usually meet up unless these are playdates

How on earth do you know this?

15 minute walk all from school? So there’ll be children from his s hook very close presumably?

You are being very dramatic with your reasoning.

You are saying we move now or decide to stay here ‘forever’ as a forever home.

That makes no sense.

Save up. Keep looking. Move in 5 - 7 years time when kids don’t play out anymore.

You are being very dramatic with your reasoning.

You are saying we move now or decide to stay here ‘forever’ as a forever home.

That makes no sense.

Save up. Keep looking. Move in 5 - 7 years time when kids don’t play out anymore.

So " feels cramped" and " we don't actually have enough space" are different.

Have you explored ways of making your current home work better. For example - a major declutter, built in storage solutions, a garden office, a conservatory/ garden room, a large back porch for shoes/ boots/ coats, an extra garden shed to store toys for toy rotation and or seasonal items, lots of shelving/ storage in garage for ditto, home decoration that maximises feelings of space and light etc?