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Original poster

Has anyone compromised on house for good schools?

45 replies

meadowquark · 30/01/2015 10:18

Just that. Really. And if you did, what did you compromise on?

Buying in a catchment of very, very good secondary, but can only afford an ugly townhouse. Currently in a charming period house, but schools are not good. My mind says no brainer, school is more important. My heart cries. Please assure me it is worth it.

OP posts:

MegBusset · 30/01/2015 18:19

Yes, we bought a house in a new-build estate because of the brilliant primary and high school nearby. I would love to live in a period cottage in a village or market town but there is time for that later in life. There's nothing wrong with the house and it's nice and big, lovely neighbours etc. It's just not my dream home.

Original poster

meadowquark · 30/01/2015 18:24

Good school - ofsted, % of 5a-c's, cohort, pastoral care, lots of male teachers (my DS needs role models as there are non at home), catering for SEN (my DS might need), walkable distance to home, strong at sports.

Pinch pinch pinch - came back home, lovely house, need to remind myself of the purpose of this move.

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Luckystar82 · 30/01/2015 18:28

Just to check - have you actually checked the official school catchment with local authority? I'm sure you have but just a reminder that these do change and boundaries can be very strange. For example, we are moving to a house 300 meters from an outstanding primary school, but our house is just outside the catchment area and it's oversubscribed so no chance we'd get in. We have the choice of 2 schools that are 3x the distance from our house both are good but not outstanding but were more than happy with the choice.

Original poster

meadowquark · 30/01/2015 18:37

Yes Luckystar I have checked it is based on proximity and we would be very unlucky not to get in.
I am happy to see that so many of you took the schools as a deciding factor.

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Luckystar82 · 30/01/2015 18:38

And we have an outstanding secondary 50m from our house. Friends live off the main road, literally a 2 minute walk from our house and are outside the catchment for this secondary school. Crazy huh?!

Luckystar82 · 30/01/2015 18:39

Thought you had meadow just a reminder really to others basing a house purchase on a local school they just assume they would be in the catchment of

newgirl · 30/01/2015 18:58

Hmmm it's a bit risky because if you really don't like where you live you are there for what 5-10 years? Yes school is hugely important but you've got to be happy too

NimpyWWindowmash · 30/01/2015 20:46

And I think the wird "outstanding" is overused.

If Ofsted rate a school "outstanding" people startcslling the school "anoutstanding school", but I learned that Ofsted and I don'treally agree on shatconstitutes "outstanding".

I would probably move to get out of the catchment of a failing school. But I would not move from a "good" to an "outstanding" just based on Ofsted.

There is a mad scramble where I live for the "outstanding" school, people go a bit loopy over box ticking bureacrats' opinions

Devora · 30/01/2015 21:27

Yes, I moved to this area primarily (but not wholly) to get into an area with good schools. We didn't compromise on size of house, but we definitely compromised on beauty - our house will, sadly, never be a looker. I love high ceilings, big windows and hallways - got none of them.

But for us it definitely felt worth it. We are on the doorstep of a fantastic primary school , and ten minutes walk from a good state secondary (London gold dust!). Plus it is a lovely community, a great place for raising children. We could have bought a beautiful house in a horrible area, but for me the quality of life our children get here (friendly community, green spaces, good schools) are worth a truckload of high ceilings.

nikki1978 · 30/01/2015 22:10

Yes we compromised. Could have had a bigger house in the catchment of a very poorly performing secondary or a bungalow in the catchment of a very good secondary. I looked around all the schools before we moved even though DD was only in year 3. Luckily the area itself is nicer too with a nice village green. The walk to the secondary is less than a mile.

So yes we are in a bungalow but the space is great and we are doing the first extension next month (creating a large kitchen diner and bigger lounge) then fingers crossed we will be creating a loft conversion with 2 bedrooms and a bathroom for the kids when they are teens. We will stay downstairs but will add an ensuite and a utility room. We compromised but only because we knew we could make something really good out of the house eventually. I actually love this house now :)

Somethingtodo · 31/01/2015 11:42

If your ds is only in y3 - is it too early to move if you want good secondary? why not stay where you are and enjoy it until yr6. A lot happens in 3 years - in your own life, in the property market, schools reputation and catchment.

NimpyWWindowmash · 31/01/2015 11:47

somethingtodo, I agree

Original poster

meadowquark · 04/05/2015 23:50

Insomnia prevails so update on my old post. I moved to the said house 1 month ago. I was not totally sure, but felt I was getting a good bargain and my gut feeling said go for it. 1 month in and I am grieving a period charm and my old area. My current one is a lower MC dull suburb, and although it is nice, I have to drive every day (past my old area), there is no park in short distance and the house is comfortable but dull. The secondary school still 3 years ahead and I keep thinking what to do. By the way don't miss my old house that much, more the area and period charm and 'tardis'.

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Agnesgrey · 05/05/2015 00:59

Meadow,
One month is no time at all. Don't panic. I have "grieved" for previous houses and then blubbed when I've led the one we left the grieving house for.

Also think about what you could do with the house because it doesn't have period charm - i.e. sometimes not having original features you want / feel the need to keep can be quite liberating in giving you a free reign.

Most of all though , just remember that you have moved for a good reason and for a lot of people a month is not nearly enough to feel properly at home.
I hope it goes well for you

StaceyAndTracey · 05/05/2015 09:08

Surely everyone compromises on something when they buy a new house ? You get more space but have a longer community to work. Or a smaller garden / no garden but shorter commute.

So don't be such a martyr . The new area isn't " dull" , the people who live there are just as interesting as the people in your old area . There's just as much going on, it's just you haven't found it yet . You don't know anyone yet . So go and join something and meet your " lower Middle class " neighbours - you might even find you like them .

Of you might find some people " just like you " who have had to settle and you can moan together. Misery likes company

Original poster

meadowquark · 05/05/2015 11:33

There is nothing wrong with the new area, except it feels quite dull and is further out from amenities. Inside the house is ok. Not much room for improvement, really. Not like my previous house, where there was always something to do and I easily forget how I did not like that aspect.
If I wait too long, I may not afford a house in my old area, which seems to be moving upwards quicker than anywhere else. If affordability wasn't an issue I would be happy to live here and wait. But I am terrified of missing the boat.

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StaceyAndTracey · 05/05/2015 13:37

Are you saying you want to move back to your old area after a month ?????

If so, you must have money to burn , that's a very expensive mistake . And what about schooling - your original reason for moving ?

Are you bored and looking for a project ? There is always a way of improving a house. What about your garden ?

Or what about a non house related project ? Get involved in a commute organisation , club , take up a new hobby or sport .

Is this about the house or something else ?

Original poster

meadowquark · 05/05/2015 19:26

Stacey good point. No I don't have money to burn.... I am unhappy in a second house for no apparent reason. The schools are important but now it looks like it was an excuse to move. Apparently you cannot sell a house that you owned less than 6 months as there are lending restrictions. I have been thinking of perhaps letting out and renting in my previous area. Or perhaps I should visit a psychologist instead...

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StillProcrastinating · 05/05/2015 20:30

It takes at least a year to properly settle anywhere. Give it time. I disliked my new house. Garden is rubbish. But the primary is great, and secondary also amazing. I already see the change in my son. This school is so much better for him. And the house is functional etc etc. so, whilst if it was just us a couple we'd have stayed put, this is the right place for our family.

Doesn't mean I don't pine every time I go back to last place, but!

Original poster

meadowquark · 05/05/2015 22:25

Hear, hear. I will give it at least 6 months (easier to think this way), and come back to this thread then.
Actually, when inside the house, I feel OK. Only when I go back to my old area, which is every single day, my heart cries.

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