What's most important - location or garden?

[MysteryCat]

Just after a bit of advice. I'm expecting my first DC and currently house hunting as we need somewhere with an extra bedroom and somewhere ideally a bit closer to my family.

We've seen one house that we really like and it's in an ideal location - close to town centre and local parks, near family and friends etc. but it doesn't have a garden - just a tiny backyard. This wouldn't bother us normally but I'm just wondering if it could be a problem when DC comes along - i.e. is it better for children to have a proper garden to play in? The houses in our price range with gardens are a bit further away from our families. I'd love to know what parents think - is the ideal location, close to family and friends more important than a garden - or vice versa?

Location. Especially schools, but also the quality of the community (stuff for children to do, nice neighbours, parks etc).

I have always lived in flats, and got my very first garden a couple of years ago. The children don't play in it that much, if I'm honest. We spend more time in the park/playground than in the garden. And I'm fed up with having to look after it. I kind of wish we just had a yard.

I am about to move from a house with a humongous garden, to one with a mere slither of lawn, because of schools so I'd say location. As long as there is somewhere to set (my slither has two seating areas with stunning views)

BUT new house is on a hill so plenty of outdoor space just beond the back gate for ds ......

I think both. Location equates to catchment area. You won't want to move to get into a semi-decent primary school. And garden is really important once you get to the toddler age. It doesn't have to be large, but a small little piece of lawn where you can put a slide or a doll house will do. But it's always a compromise. Don't believe people who tell you that you'll instantly fall in love with the right house. Didn't for me. Nothing in my price range is nice enough for me to fall in love with. Good luck.

Wanted to add that at my DD's age (16mo), she can't play in the park. It didn't occur to me when I was pregnant. I thought I won't be the kind of parent who buys all sorts of plastic crap in the garden. But the local park is filled with very boisterous kids. They prove to be too fast and rowdy for a young toddler. For example, once DD was on a see saw and a big girl came later and sat on the other side. She rocked it so hard that DD nearly fell off. Lucky I was standing there and grabbed hold of DD. But DD was terrified and held onto the handle really really tight. Even when I tried to pull DD off, the bigger girl wouldn't stop. DD also loves climbing on the slide, and can't climb up from the proper way yet. I couldn't let her do that in the park as it's dangerous with all the kids coming down the slide.

Our garden now has a little tikes activity cube, paddling pool and rocker for DD. She also likes just walking around it, pulling the hose, moving stones.

Oh and when she wanders around the park, she invariably moved towards where the swings are. That's also where a toddler shouldn't be standing!

Well, we've chosen location and haven't regretted it. Our garden is very small but still large enough for plastic stuff like a slide, playhouse, trike & paddling pool. Little children don't actually need that much space and one big advantage of it being so small is that I can always see them (and rush to their aid if necessary) when I'm busy doing household chores. All our neighbours have similarly weeny gardens and as there is lots of green space around us, all our older dc play out together. It's much more sociable as a consequence. I also love going to the playground as invariably there's someone to have a chat with. I like the fact that the lack of space forces us all out. I could see myself being a bit of a hermit otherwise as I'm very lazy when it comes to organising and planning catch-ups!

I think small gardens are fine, but I think some kind of garden, whether large or small, is good for a child.

I'd always go for garden where possible - but it depends exactly how much of a location compromise you're looking at. Parks are all very well, but they involve getting everyone ready to go out, getting there and back etc. It's much more convenient to have the space outside your back door. You can pop in and out of the house to do whatever you need to do/get food, drink etc, it doesn't interrupt things as much as a trip out.

Garden over relatives ! Garden also probably means more a family neighbourhood (than singles or two incomes no kids) for friends to play with.

Thanks everyone for your advice. Got a couple more properties to view at the weekend so will bear your comments in mind!

I cannot imagine getting through baby/toddler years without a garden. So easy to entertain a small child in without having to make a 'trip out' and being able to go outside keeps my ds sane.

and I am in Manchester area where it rains often apparently