What would you choose?
Option a: small flat in lovely, beautiful historic part of town, neat the most amazing primary school (Ofsted outstanding, but more inportantly we loved it when we visited)
Bad points: no garden, small, would have to get rid of lots of stuff! In an conservative area (large and small C!) which is not us at all. Not by the sea.
Option b: victorian house with garden in neighbouring town by the sea. Space for a study. Garden! The town suits me and DP much better. Very arty and interesting, and lots of our friends live there, and lots more people who we feel are like us! We would have a lovely home life here, and lots of trips to the beach! DP would have a much shorter journey to work.
Bad points: Primary School Ok / average, definitely not amazing.
If we choose option b, DS would miss out on the wonderful start the other school would offer. But do you think having a garden to at with and lots of friends and an interesting, fun homelife would balance that?
If it was just me and DP I'd be in town b like a shot! But is it fair on DS?
This is not easy!