2 bedroom house for a family of four - ensure we are going to be fine

[littlecrystal]

We are looking to relocate to what is considered a better area. We are currently in a large 2 bed house, 2 up, 2 down and conservatory. I thought we will be able to stretch to 3 bed in that area, but prices went up and this now seems unlikely. Though we can afford a very nicely decorated smallish two bedroom house, 2 good size bedrooms, one big space downstairs, a garage (so good storage) and a small courtyard. I viewed and loved the house and would move there like a shot; but there are obvious worries that we will outgrow this in few years time. I don't want to stay where I am any longer; I have been waiting for a 3 bed doer upper (cheaper) for very long time and nothing has come up; I feel like I just want to move on. Plenty of people live in 2 bed properties as families and they survive. I guess I am so worried as we will not have as much living space as we are used to..

I really want to move so please assure that this is going to be fine!

What age are your children?

It could possible be fine or it could be a nightmare. Im sure some poster will come along to tell you that in the good old days they shared a single room with 6 other siblings and they are fine. But tbh I would think very hard about it. Is there scope for expansion i.e. into the attic in the future?

I have 2 ds and have just moved from a 2 bedroom. Ds2 was in with us as there was just not feasible to put him in with ds1. Our living areas were so cramped it just caused constant arguments.

Were in a two bed and dc2 has just arrived. We're moving ASAP but mainly because our second bedroom is no where near big enough to house both dc, if it was I would stick it out slightly longer. I'm also waiting for a 3 bed to come up in our area. Also my dc are opposite sexes and 4.7 years apart so at some point sharing would not be suitable.

Our living area is also cramped and I struggle to find places to store everything and especially dry washing.

Yes we need more details like what ages are your children and how long you would expect to be at the next house, and whether there is any scope for a loft conversion, etc? May I be so bold as to question why you are moving to a nicer area but having less space? Seems a weird decision. I live in an area that's not so desirable but we have so much more space than the equivalent money would buy a mile away. I know which I would rather have- space to breathe or posh neighbours!

To give context to my opinion and questions, we have 3 and 5 yr old boys, just moved from 2 bed terrace to 4 bed semi in same area. We couldn't stick it out for much longer, we were literally tripping up on stuff and children were banging their heads on furniture as we were so packed in. The space we now have is amazing but we could never have done it had we moved to a posher area.

As dc get older the size of toys gets smaller

You need to be very ruthless and have good storage - ie well planned out. Is garage attached to house?

My boys are 6 and 3. I have always regretted buying my current house (victorian), been here over 4 years, never have settled and have always wanted something more modern and I am in love with 1950-70s house. This will be a bit like the dream - my own dream - come true...

The new area has much better secondaries schools and a nicer community which I want to be the part of. Ideally it is forever home, and we are quite minimalistic. In the house I want to make an offer, bedroom one is 9 sq.m and bedroom two is 14-15 sq.m with two windows so I am thinking that dividing into two spaces for the boys is possible. Downstairs is just one big non-dividable space. I look at Ikea and there are lots of smart functional decisions...

We have 4 in 2 bed flat and we are planning another in here. Its all fine as we arent really bigger arguers and we are ruthless in what we own.

Not sure if the house is extendable, the garage is attached but cannot be converted (estate restrictions), but definitely a good storage space.
Surprisingly we are OK in our 2 bedroom house, but we have two spacious rooms downstairs, a conservatory, a little storage room and shed.
I think I am mostly worried about the all-in-one living space.

As I am looking at only post 1950s houses, the stock is very limited.

I guess once both kids are in the secondary, we could move out slightly out of the catchment to get more space (or stretch hard and buy a 3 bed there).

We had open place, now the youngest is 8 we have divided it up - bliss!