Getting hung up on which direction garden faces.

[IncognitoBurrito]

Hi, we are in South West London in a high rise flat. DC2 on the way. We want to move to a house, mainly so we can have a garden to plant vegetables in and for the children to play in.

We have pinpointed a very specific area that we love and want to move to. Problem is, houses don't come up there very often. Maybe one new one every six weeks, and some write offs from the start with tiny/no garden.

Am I being silly to get hung up on which way the garden faces? We'd be looking at terraces with gardens a max of 40ish feet. Saw a house the other day which ticked all the boxes, except the garden faced due North. I worry nothing will grow and it'll be freezing to play in. I just can't get excited about moving there. Am aware that worst case scenario we could lose our buyer if we take too long... Or compromise and go for an area we don't like so much.

It's uncanny how many North facing gardens come up. Do people with South facing gardens love them so much that they never move??! Perhaps having a South facing garden contributes to longevity too. Wonder if there's been a study done

Anyway, I suppose I'm asking wwyd in this situation? Positive stories of North facing gardens? DH humouring me currently but fear he may get impatient if I say no to too many more! Thanks in advance!

There are also negatives with south facing. It can get too hot to be outside without a lot of shade. Also the sun will heat up your house unless you have shutters that you can close when the sun is on them to keep the house cool.
You should also ask yourself how often you sit/eat outside. We have always been outside people and have eaten regularly outside. We have lived in apartments and have eaten often on the balconys. Our present house faces west and we are often the only family eating outside.