WWYD? - convenience vs view

[hopefulhousehunter]

I'm slightly obsessed with a house for sale a bit outside our village. It has the most awesome view of the fields and hills surrounding and I would love to be able to just look out the window/step outside the door and look at this view every day - I don't think I'd ever tire of it!

But would we tire of the walk/drive to and from the main bit of the village ie school, nursery, shops, PO etc.? It's just 2 mins in the car, and a 15 or so minute walk either along a rough dirt track with one crossing of a B road, or straight along a narrow footpath alongside an A road. I certainly don't mind walking it, but we have 2 DDs (3yo and 7yo) to consider.

Putting aside the financial aspect/persuading DH/selling our own home (all crucial, I know, but this is still very hypothetical) would anyone choose view over convenience? Or would you stick with the ability to walk to and from school or shops at any time of day/year which we can currently do, living in the middle of the village. I personally would love the peace and quiet of being slightly out of the village but perhaps the DDs would hate being that bit further away from friends, park etc when they're growing up?

I should add, the house with the view is not completely isolated - there are about 5 other properties there, at least one of which is occupied by a family.

WWYD?

I have always chosen places primarily for their views so I'd go with that. 15 mins walk is nothing really.

I would contradict that and go with practicality while you have a young family to consider. Plenty of time in your life later to while away the hours looking out on a pretty view.

I think as your children get older and want their own independence that 15 min walk along a narrow footpath could be a real issue for them. We lived in a rural area for quite a long time, DH loved it but for me the convenience of a (pavement) walk to the shops/library/swimming pool/school etc is fantastic and certainly helps now that my DS is a teenager and wants to do his own thing.

nemno I'm a walker rather than a driver, when possible and I don't think I'd mind too much - and it's a very pleasant walk. I suppose my concern might be for the kids when they're a bit older. Am I being over-cautious about them walking next to the road (cars pass pretty quickly) or crossing over a country road themselves (quieter but on a bend) when they're older? I find it hard to guage how capable they'll be or how relaxed I'll be about their comings and goings in a couple of years when they start to become more independent!

x post with pinkje and Ragwort - thanks for responding too. I think in the future I won't mind too much doing 'taxi runs' at night - I suppose it's during the day or summer evenings when they will want to hang out with friends that it might be better to be in a more residential area.

Perhaps I'm being greedy - at the moment where we live, I can walk for just five minutes and have access to the same view! Would be nice to have it from the window though...

But how often do you really spend staring out of the window - views are lovely but if it is only 5 mins walk to the view I think I would be happy with that .

I often felt that drivers were worse in the country than in towns, I used to do a lot of walking along country lanes and drivers would sometimes seem 'surprised' that anyone chose to walk around, they would be going too fast.

I have my desk, sitting room chair and bed all pointed out the window, and the balcony has the best vantage point. But I appreciate we all have different priorities. I was more than happy to drive or chaperone my DC until they were trusted to walk alone (10 ish) and many years beyond that for most of their activities.

I didn't agonise over whether view or location was important so I guess I'm not really in a position to help.

Of make the move when the kids were teenagers

Nemno sounds lovely - and yes, I think I'm probably over thinking this, especially as it's still at the hypothetical stage. I'm sure some of you will understand though that it's important to be sure about certain things before going to the effort of persuading DH that it was his great idea in the first place

I think my concerns about convenience may be overriding my desire for a beautiful view. I'm crossing my fingers that somewhere in this village there's a reasonably-priced home that will offer both?!

The view.

I spend a lot of time in my immediate surroundings so being outside and looking at the view or gardening - or breathing, meditating, doing yoga.

A 15 minute walk to me is fine.

I live in a town and I'm about to move to a tall townhouse (still in the town) but us very high up and you can see all over the town. The quality of the light and the expanse of sky seen from my bedroom is fantastic and I predict a lot of lying in bed with the curtains open looking at the stars.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound critical. I meant that the decision was so obvious to me that I can't help weigh up your options. I don't think you are overthinking it.

If you were thinking of going really rural then I would see both sides. My friend moved her nearly teenage DC so far out that even walking for 45 mins wouldn't have got them anywhere. These now teen children have no independence at all so I think that is a bit sad.

Nemno, don't worry I wasn't offended, your comment about not having to weigh it up made me realise I'm probably weighing it up too much! I do have a tendency to over think anyway.

I'd definitely prefer to move before the dds are teenagers tbh - we're already feeling the squeeze and keen to get some more space. The other factor to consider is that DH is a drummer and wants to be able to practice at home/have a studio space - another reason why I think an out-of-village option could be a good plan. Fewer neighbours = fewer people for him to bother.