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Original poster

which of these two houses would you choose?

74 replies

firstchoice · 27/03/2014 18:29

this is the first one - rural area. 10m from nearest big town (Hexham) down rural unlit road. 6m from shops / doctor / school etc:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-36861073.html?

This is the 2nd one:
6m from Alnwick

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-39970321.html?

what do you think?

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 27/03/2014 19:25

Second one. I don't know Embleton, but have a couple of friends who love it. I don't care for the bath and the fact that there is only one bathroom though.

throckenholt · 27/03/2014 19:25

Having said that - the first one looks to be a nicer immediate location, but further away from civilisation.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/03/2014 19:26

I would go for number 2 - the kitchen is bigger, it has an open fire in the lounge, and I love the gallery bedroom in the loft - I would have loved that, as a teenager.

Though I can also see the attraction of the more isolated house too. That's probably not very helpful, is it? Sorry.

youarewinning · 27/03/2014 19:33

Both have their pros and cons! I prefer the second one for layout.

Onesleeptillwembley · 27/03/2014 19:36

I don't think the 1st has more kerb appeal. I'd go for the second, but is it ex council? If so probably neither.

trufflehunterthebadger · 27/03/2014 19:37

Definitely 2. Lovely raspberry bed...

iseenodust · 27/03/2014 19:37

Number 2.
Prefer Alnwick to Hexham and think it has more facilities eg public swimming pool?
Weather will be better year round as it is further east and nearer to sea level.
The kitchen of number 1 hasn't got the width for proper depth cupboards both sides.

trufflehunterthebadger · 27/03/2014 19:40

To all those saying number one has a nicer outside, i don't think OP is planning on living in the front garden ! The inside is what makes a house imho

fideline · 27/03/2014 19:41

First is much nicer. Do you have DC?

Wandastartup · 27/03/2014 19:41

Like them both , go for number 1 purely because I did my Gp attachment in the surgery at humshaugh and they were so lovely!

Kikibee · 27/03/2014 19:41

Number 2. How do you get to garden in number 1? Do neighbours have access over your garden. Mid terrace is a no no

figgieroll · 27/03/2014 19:49

I've wondered round the streets. Number one is more attractive mini estate. Number two is a bit bland. Has the village any facilities?

Original poster
firstchoice · 27/03/2014 19:53

Figgie - have you wandered around Stonehaugh?
Or Embleton?
be grateful for your thoughts if either?

OP posts:
MillyMollyMama · 27/03/2014 21:11

If you have a look on the web, Community Action Northumberland has the 2008 Village Plan for Embleton. It is a conservation area and near National Trust coastline. The plan makes very interesting reading and the fact that the village is near Alnwick would persuade me. Alnwick is one of the best places to live in the UK according to Country Life. The village appears to have a bit of life to it!

Stonehaugh was built for forestry workers, the whole village. This might make it look very uniform. On this basis, Embleton would be better.

Original poster
firstchoice · 27/03/2014 21:34

thanks, MillyMollyMama
will look at that - v grateful for link!
Stonehaugh is very uniform - it is only 1 street Grin

OP posts:
lessonsintightropes · 27/03/2014 22:14

Alnwick nicer than Hexham IMO but I much prefer house 1, I think the 2nd is a bit tired and dated and will need quite a bit of work,

Clawdy · 27/03/2014 22:45

Definitely the second,far less chance of neighbour noise.

MillyMollyMama · 28/03/2014 01:18

Sorry I am not better at links firstchoice! If I can find it, you will too!

NotJustACigar · 28/03/2014 15:12

Definitely second, as it's a front doors together semi so less noise. Especially as you're moving from a detached. I wouldn't buy a mid-terraced if I had the choice.

NanooCov · 28/03/2014 15:28

Number 2. The rooms in number one look dark.

HavantGuard · 28/03/2014 15:30

Location. I don't know the two areas but you do! Look at (lack of) facilities, neighbours, general area, schools.

You've said your DS would either have to travel with you or use the school transport provided. Being realistic, which of those works best for you. Would having to pick him up and drop him off every day be doable for you? Would he be happy using the school transport? Would lack of a regular bus service interfere with him being able to travel alone or is that not an issue?

Visit at different times to get a feel for the places. You might find you'd have a very noisy neighbour.

As for the houses, look at how you would use the space. Would a dining-kitchen be easier than a separate kitchen and dining room? Do they both have a second loo? Does the 'attic storage room' (they're not allowed to call it a bedroom so it doesn't meet regs or they haven't applied) give you needed separate space? How do you get to it (I've been to see one house where there was just a ladder!) Does the other house have the option of adult only space?

HavantGuard · 28/03/2014 15:32

I remember seeing Kim and Aggie clean one of those baths. It involved filling it up with warm water and biological washing powder and then turning on the jets and using a sieve Envy

mistlethrush · 28/03/2014 15:40

No2 is in a lovely part of the country - beautiful beaches near there, and it looks as though you could walk down there from that village.

WetAugust · 28/03/2014 16:10

2nd. The ist is more like a holiday cottage.

But you get a lot of house for your money there. They would be 3 or 4 times were they in my area.

VivaLeBeaver · 28/03/2014 17:57

Just going on the houses I'd say the second. Extra loft room, semi detached, seems bigger, nice kitchen, I like the bath.

But I'd love to live in a forest so might say No 1. But if that isn't an attraction then the second one no doubt.