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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Just sold house...two options for the move.

16 replies

mummy2munchkin · 22/10/2011 18:49

So as in the title, we've just sold our house. We moved from a lovely area into this not quite so lovely area after having lo as the house prices were so cheap here and we managed to get a big new build for the same as a flat where we were before. I now realise the meaning of location, location, location.

Anyway, we are going to rent for a year to save up an even bigger deposit and buy a lovely house where we want to live. Luckily my husband has been working very hard and our income has grown so we are able to afford houses that previously we couldn't. We love houses with character and a bit of quirk, so today we looked at two houses and they are both lovely but so very very different, here are the options -

a) rural farmhouse - beautiful 4 bed farmhouse in the country with beams and stone floors, a huge garden for lo with a treehouse and even sheep in a paddock

b) very slick victorian style townhouse, 3 beds, 3 floors, smaller rooms but in the town centre which for socialising would be great.

So what do we do?

OP posts:

Original poster

mummy2munchkin · 22/10/2011 20:48

No one with any opinions? Boo hoo.

OP posts:

xmyboys · 22/10/2011 20:52

Sorry if I missed this, are these rentals on the area you want to buy in?

wheredidiputit · 22/10/2011 20:52

I would go for the farmhouse myself, but then I don't like townhouses.

MrsCampbellBlack · 22/10/2011 20:53

Farmhouse for me but I like rural life. Provided not too far from town.

Pinner35 · 22/10/2011 20:56

The townhouse for sure......rural life doesnt do it for me, plus I live in a townhouse and I love it!

Original poster

mummy2munchkin · 22/10/2011 20:56

Ah good. They are rentals in the area we would like to buy in but because it's a rental we can afford to play around a bit because at worst we're only there for a year. I want to post the links but feel a bit like I shouldn't for privacy reasons, it is about 10 mins from the nearest town but with some really special rural pub restaurants nearby.

OP posts:

Original poster

mummy2munchkin · 22/10/2011 20:57

But the townhouse is opposite a spa, imagine dropping lo to nursery and popping to the spa for a blow-dry or massage ahhhh, dreams.

OP posts:

xmyboys · 22/10/2011 21:03

And are you wanting to buy rural or town? If you know the answer to this or swaying towards one, I think you should rent the other. Try and test which might help make up your mind!

Original poster

mummy2munchkin · 22/10/2011 21:33

We're in between on buying too. Originally we wanted a townhouse because of proximity to shops/restaurants/deli's/butcher etc and the fact I could just take a five min walk with dd to pop out and get something. Then we realised we don't really like having neighbours and dd loves playing outside so a big garden would be perfect (and not something we've ever found in a townhouse).

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Witchathulu · 23/10/2011 06:01

I'd also think carefully about schools, distance to them - although your DC may not be old enough at the moment, it's important to bear things in mind like if you move to the rural place, are you going to be stuffed to take DC to nursery/school if it snows? A friend of mine (with 9 kids between her and her DP, and who runs her own business) moved out to the country for the space and found herself trapped for weeks during the snow, (despite having several cars, one being an MPV and one a 4x4) and ended up moving back to town.
Meanwhile, we own a huge maisonette in a fairly largish seaside town of about 100,000 and want to move to DH's home town of 20,000 because there are cheap affordable 4 bed houses, his commute will be an hour shorter, the primary schools are all good, and the secondary's are outstanding. We'll be losing our views, our deli range of shops, a field out the back, wonderful amenities in the town, and dealing with a shitty ex who thinks that we're trying to shaft his access (we're not,) but for us, it's the right thing to do. Hope that helps in some small way! :o

coccyx · 23/10/2011 06:07

Will they still be available in a years time?
Need pictures/links

PanicMode · 23/10/2011 07:32

I would think about schools - if you are planning on staying in the same place then presumably lo will be going from nursery to school and it would be nice to have made some friends to make the transition with. I would have said rural before we had children as I am a country girl through and through, but we have chosen town as the children do so many clubs etc and so we are able to share lifts and do rotas for Beavers/ballet/tennis etc far more easily than if we were in the middle of nowhere. It may be too early to make decisions like that if lo is teeny, but think about when you have to be in catchment for schools applications - my %233 is 3.5 and we have to apply now, so it comes round quickly!

Runlolarun · 23/10/2011 08:03

How old is your child? In my experience big gardens are only good when they are very very young. As they get older they want to be out playing with their friends. I would choose the townhouse. Presumably there are other families around and your children will be so much happier.

MayDayChild · 23/10/2011 08:05

Going to repeat about schools
I live in town SE London and schools very oversubscribed, some folk don't get a place at their nearest school. It's just very busy birthrate right now, and our town is nearly deads and newly weds so schools have filled up in last 5 years.
Whichever you choose, get ye onto your county council website school admissions and read about the criteria for school places.
Some councils also publish online the distances for last child who was admitted a place in distance.
You apply for school jan before sept start so we were looking at primaries when DD was 3.5 months.
It comes round VERY fast.

ditavonteesed · 23/10/2011 08:06

how difficult, both sound fabulous, I live in a victorian terrace close to city and it is great, absolutly love it, but then when I go out to walk the dogs I always think I would ffancy living out in the sticks.

One thing to consider while country living is great for little dc, when they are oolder you will have to take them everywhere.

Original poster

mummy2munchkin · 23/10/2011 20:28

She is 3 and fingers crossed I would love another lo next year. There are brilliant schools nearby and I think I have made up my mind without a doubt....we're calling estate agent in the morning to rent the farmhouse. Thanks for all the opinions they really helped me realise what is best.

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