OK so by the end of today we need to decide- do we leave our lovely spacious 1250 sq foot mid century hillside home with incredible views of a wooded canyon in very peaceful area- it is up 40 steps though which is not fun with two under 5's- to move to a smaller, less inspiring 1000 sq foot 1930s house in an amazing neighbourhood but the house looks into a petrol station at the front.Is there anything we should know about petrol stations- like are they maybe harmful healthwise.We rent now and do not want to buy....we will never afford to buy in the area we are considering as most homes close to the million dollar mark minimum.So we would be renting in an area we could never ever afford.
The house we are considering is about 20% more in rent than we pay now..like 350 quid more a month but it gets us into an amazing primary so no need for private school if we could have stretched to that.....
It does have a grass garden and driveway rather than a concrete yard wehave now...no steps and in an amazing area- let's say the equivalent of Kensington in London versus where we are now....more like Raynes Park.....
Just trying to decide is losing space and total aesthetic pleasure in your home worth it to be in the kind of smallest "worst' house on the best street in a very desirable area that most importantly has the best schools in the city- we are in a major expensive city in the US....with some very bad schools in many areas...our local school is on the up but our son would be one of the few English speakers on the playground which makes me a little sad somehow...the whole fitting in and socialising aspect so important when you are a kid.
So just canvassing opinions.....what would you do and why?The gas station is so kind of undesirable opposite the house..... but it is a very clean and kind of upmarket one and from the back of the house you are not aware of it at all...maybe i put blinds up to block it out...it is open till 10 every night- also near the main throughfare for the area so busy road maybe 50 metres from the house....just trying to brain crunch it out...as may sign lease later today.So hard to give up the most amazing view I have ever had....but thinking the kids having a good school experience is more important.
Thank you in advance;))