Weekend House - Or Move Schools?

[GingerJulep]

Daydreaming a little about DC3 (currently preggers with DC1!)...

We'd be able to afford somewhere with 4 bedrooms a little further away but DCs would have to move schools which we'd prefer to avoid.

OR

We could keep current/slightly larger place in town (which would also be good for my commute which is an important factor for me) and have a really nice weekend place further away.

Does anyone do this? Thoughts on maintaining two properties/the disruption of educational moves?

I think you may be over thinking this if you haven't even had DC1 yet! I did go to school with a family who went to the country every week end. We thought they were a bit odd because they never went to parties or stuff, because they were not here at week ends.

It's fairly unusual to be worried about moving away from a school you don't have a place at yet. Five years is a long time !

You really are over thinking this at this stage!

i would sooner change the kids school than do the weekend house.

i moved school a few times and as it was managed well i never felt it really.

a few of my friends had weekend homes and really resented it because they missed out on parties etc - especially as teenagers!

why don't you just move before dc1 starts school?

Also, you shouldn't base your plans on having 3 dc - you never know what happens in the future and you may end up with more or less kids!

schools change over time, you may not even want DC3 to go to the school you've chosen now.

You really are over thinking this!

DC1 won't be going to school for about 5 years!

However, my DP grew up living in London & spending weekends at the house in the country. They enjoyed it when they were kids but HATED it once they got a bit older.

its a long way off as everyone one says - and a school move in the first few years not a major probelm

I agree about overthinking it to a certain extent, but it does pay to plan ahead as well in a way.

I would never do the weekend house thing; I did it as a teen and it was terrible. My own DC miss one weekend a month when they go out of the area and they both really miss out on stuff by going.

As much as I love the idea of a weekend house I would never have one.

The cost of running and maintain two houses will add up, and I do wonder if/how people actually manage to get away most weekends. Especially with children, sorting uniform/homework/activities/play dates/general tail chasing of family life.

Personally I would use the money to buy a bigger/better main family home and spend the money that would be used on council tax, second bills, maintenance, petrol to have several great short breaks at the weekend with the family.

But everyone is different and perhaps it really is worth while. There is no harm in making provisional plans, and setting finances etc on track. You can always change course in time.

I really wouldn't put too much thought into the school moving thing now though. That will depend on the schools at the time and also on your child.

Good luck with the baby!

I think it's easier to live and work and school in one area if poss. All your baby mum friendships and school mum friendships will make you feel part of a community and social things will happen during the week an weekend.