detached or not?

[ogredownstairs]

If you're in a detached house, having previously been in a semi or terraced, do you love it and was it worth any compromises you had to make? Any cons? I've heard they can cost more to heat, for example. We're considering making a move to a slightly less desirable and convenient bit of London and an arguably less attractive house (1920s rather than current Victorian terrace). I'm keen, being noise-phobic and driven entirely by wanting to be detached, but I think DH might take some persuading.

I grew up in a detached house and now live in a terrace. All things being equal detached is better but only marginally so if you are still in the city.

I would never compromise on commute or niceness of area to be able to out the washing machine on at unsociable hours!

We have great neighbours though and I never hear them.

We moved from a semi, to a rural detached with no nearby neighbours, 8 years ago. I really don't want to ever move back to an attached property, or one with close neighbours, if there's a choice. If we ever needed to move to a city for work, we wouldn't be able to afford to be that fussy, though. Our detached home (with 8 acres) here is only worth the same as our previous 3 bed semi in Chester...

Detached is best if you like peace and quiet...neighbours can drive you around the bend. I have lived in flats where you can hear your neighbour on the toilet or stiring a spoon, or running across the floor because they can hear YOUR phone ringing or someone ringing YOUR doorbell just so they can nose or listen in...very annoying...lived in semi's..late night parties that go on till morning...not good! now in detached...peace at last!. Yes may cost bit more to heat up but having control over noise you hear is worth it.

I'd say it all depends on the house.

We live in a very solid halls adjoining period semi and in 10 years I've literally only heard our neighbours once. (And they had 3 teenage boys at home in the early years!)

Well we went and had another look yesterday. The house itself is lovely. However the outlook is relatively unlovely (onto an estate which won't be winning design prizes any time soon) which is probably the only reason we can afford it and doesn't bother me. Having said that, the estate has a bit of a history of ASB, and very loud music was booming out of one of the flats on Saturday. Inaudible from the house, which is set well back from the road, but not ideal given I am motivated by the need for peace and quiet! Also quite likely to put other buyers off when we come to sell.

Feel a bit torn.

if peace and quiet are one of the main considerations, you need to go semi-rural, OP, or at least edge of town with well spaced out houses.

If ASB is an issue forget it. Location, location, location.

Yep. Think you're right. DH liked the house itself and would move if I really wanted to, but he was concerned about the history and therefore risk of ASB and noise from the estate. I am reluctantly leaning towards not doing it. Where we are is in a very sought after bit of London, great shops, schools, loads of green space, great transport etc. Cinemas and theatres within walking distance. All stuff I was really focused on when we bought this house. The other house isn't in a terrible spot but would still be giving up quite a lot location-wise and it's pointless if it doesn't achieve the main purpose of moving.

I suppose this exercise has helped me appreciate what we have here if nothing else!