Small semi in a nice area or large detached in an o.k. area?

[PenTheUltimate]

Small semi in a nice area or large detached in an o.k. area?

Both areas have good schools.

My mother who had a cunning eye for real estate profits, swore by buying the smallest house in the nicest area you could afford. She would bend your ear off about it.

We did the opposite (big house in ok area). There are no jobs here & we're a bit stuck now the kids are so settled.

Is the OK area on its way up or down? What about other things, like transport links, shops, etc? What's the difference between the good and OK, in your case? Sometimes "good" is trendy and sometimes it means low crime. The two don't always match up.

"Is the OK area on its way up or down?"

I think you will not know the answer to that for ten or twenty years.

Rather than gamble on house price inflation, there is a lot to be said for looking on a house as a thing you live in.

I'd prioritise location - but then I live in London where small distances can make a huge difference in quality of life. It is so hard to say without more information tbh, as lots of places which people have described to me as 'ok areas' are places that would be unacceptable to me. I think I used to live in an 'ok area' and now live in a 'nice area' and it makes a big difference to my lifestyle and happiness.

Semi, the area wins it for me.

Given that the op has said that actually both are in good areas location is not really an issue. So I would focus more on which house I liked best.

I'm on the location is key side.

If location was no issue then the detached would be a no brainer, but she clearly has some reservations...

Follow your heart. It is usually right but can feel illogical at the time.

We went for the smaller house because it felt right and it was definitely the right decision.

The areas are both in Winchester, so those of you who know it will be able to make a fair guess, and to my mind all of Winchester is great, that's why we like it. I know its a very general question and too unspecific for much help but its very interesting to hear peoples instinctive replies!

www.checkmyarea.com
Have you seen this OP what does each area come out as?

According to that I am an elderly working class sun reader.

Yes, complete rubbish for my area too, polly. Maybe it's meant to be lighthearted???

Really it was spot on for me how weird

Spot on for here too.

The better location is more likely to hold its value without you doing anything specific to add value

HolidayCriminal my estate agent friend swears by the "worst house on the best road" mantra

Pick the one you can imagine living in if that makes sense - if you love living in it it doesn't matter whether the price goes up or down. Bigger isn't always better as long as you have enough room. I do think you should follow your heart as well as your head if you are looking for a home rather than just an investment.