A big rambling house in Southport or a modern box in Formby - which to choose?

[NotJustACigar]

Just that, really. We love the restaurants, beach and other amenities in Formby and we work in Liverpool so it's closer. But for the same money as a modern 70s or 80s not terribly attractive house we could get a gorgeous big character-filled house with a big garden in a decent part of southport. This would add on about 20 mins each way for the commute and also we don't know southport terribly well. From what we do know, however, there aren't such nice places for walks in woodlands or through countryside, and there is more a bit more crime. School district doesn't matter to us.

Here are a couple of example links that I think are fairly representative of what's available and while both are very nice houses the southport one is more to our taste. What would you do, and is the anything we're not considering? Thanks very much for any opinions you may have!

Formby: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-43376465.html

Southport: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38982827.html

Who in their right minds will buy an ugly small house if they can get a big beautiful character house for the same money????

Are you mad.

PPaka sounds like you and I might get into a bidding war! Honestly, though, not 100% sure about the area but will figure that out when we view. Plus the house has been on the market a while which always makes me wonder.

DH and i have often thought of taking kayaking classes at the marine lake, and I want to go in a wow ball (those plastic gerbil ball-looking things that go n the water). DH is too chicken .

Good luck to your DD BOF and to your DN, jcl.

Quite mad, quint, yes, quite mad indeed!

It'll be a while before I sell up, so you're probably safe!
But I've always loved Marine Terrace
You can feel the history

Thanks NotJustACigar Good luck to you as well with your house hunting.

I adore Marine Terrace- the pastel colours make the houses look like wedding cakes. The notorious Titanic financier Bruce Ismay lived there, and his White Star Line ships would sound their horns for him as they pulled into Liverpool Bay. Captain Smith lived there too.

Cigar, do get in touch if you arrange a viewing- I'd be happy to give you a local tour and realistic inside knowledge, it would be a pleasure.

That Bath Street house - are the paintings above/within the fireplace original do you think? Depicting the Battle of Waterloo? That would be brilliant to have something like that.

The estate agent is going to ring me back about viewing the Bath St one so I will fill you in all about it once we see it (as long as you promise not to buy it if we want to .

In the meantime we went and had a look round Birkdale today and liked it a lot so will view some round there once Christmas is over (or perhaps next weekend, or is it rude to ask to view so close to the holidays??).

Thats's good Bit and you know the area ....streetview and google earth isn't up to date but always worth a nosy (esp cos the three external photos of that house are of/from the same side ) also three pics of that one big room (kitchen looks like a small galley may not a bad thing), one bathroom, three of the hall and none of anywhere else...(a floor plan would be handy)
I'm very suspicious of estate agent photos - know they have to make a big deal of the best features but think they underestimate the feeling of disappointment you can get when you go to view and find the not so good features...

Cigar- I might do a drive by today, will let you know!

I couldn't live in the Bath thingy one, you know that serial about the village where all the children got drowned last year - well the hall and stairs, get what I mean?

shiver

But lovely view and I like the ships above the fireplace.

Do let me know, thanks PPaka! IHeardMummy, that's pretty scary but doesn't really put me off as I never saw the film. I'll make sure not to if we get that house, though.

I think that date in the bath st one is wrong. It looks a million miles from that externally and also the panelling and stairwell looks original but is nowhere near old enough to be Georgian, it looks Arts & Crafts. Externally it looks Edwardian which would fit with 1916. Pretty house & view though.

The A&C features would fit with a date circa 1916 too.

[house geek]

Used, that's amazing. Wish I had your detective skills!

I've just moved a lot, like old houses and viewed a lot and I'm obsessed with rightmove

Georgian is my favourite period.

Unfortunately I have no useful advice on areas as I don't live locally.

So I drove past today to check it out!
As I though the entrance is on bath street but it could just have easily have a Marine Terrace address as the garden opens out onto it, and there's a little gate onto it.
The front looks tiny and really cottagey, did have garage attached( says that's sitting room now)
The new builds opposite are lovely, well kept
The high rise is fine, not an eyesore
They are a strange couple of roads
Lots of garages around, which gives the appearance of not v well kept, or a bit of an industrial area, but the houses are all fine
3 pubs within walking distance and then South Road with tonnes of restaurants

I would think it's very peaceful down there
I did notice there were others up for sale

Try Logic estate agents
Reed/Rains
Clive Watkin

That was incredibly kind of you, PPaka, I can't thank you enough.

I guess it concerns me a bit whenever there are several houses on the same street up for sale. Everything else sounds very reassuring, though. It's great to have your opinion as I doubt my judgement so much when it comes to houses.

3 pubs - not sure if that's good or bad! We will view soon and update.

What did you got for in the end? Hope it worked out for you :)

Southport!

It's a lovely town. I am in nearby Preston and that second house is bloody gorgeous.

Oops just realised this is a Zombie thread.