Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Which location is better??

46 replies

inmyshoos · 25/08/2015 22:51

ok so we are planning a move. We are quite flexible in terms of location as dh works away and do as long as he is within an hour of a base that is fine. Just not sure which area will suit us best. We currently live in a very rural spot. 45 mins to supermarket (easy drive though) and dc are bussed to school. Eldest dc will go to secondary next year. We also live in a beautiful peaceful location with a fair bit of land around our house and whilst we like the privacy this affords us we arent really gardeners! Which would you say is a better bet of these two areas?

Area 1
16 miles from dh base
Could afford a decent house on a decent sized plot
Schools ok, better than average
Considerable distance to big city, at least an hours drive to one and maybe 1.5hrs to the other.
Gorgeous views.

Area 2
30 miles to nearest base for dh.
Very central location within 30mins/hour of 2 cities
Good schools that have great reports/results
Could afford a house with ok size garden (big enough for a trampoline and a washing line type size)
No views to speak of.

Which area do you think is the better choice?

OP posts:

MagratGarlik · 25/08/2015 22:56

Area 1 - no contest.

You do realise though that 40% of the responses will say area 1. 40% will say area 2 and 20% will say have you considered a third option.

ENtertainmentAppreciated · 25/08/2015 22:58

Area 1.
No brainer for me.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 25/08/2015 23:00

For me I think area 1, but a lot of people wouldn't like being that isolated. If you're not sort of person who loves clothes shopping every weekend then being far away from a city I guess isn't a problem.

Although maybe it depends if there's other non city shops closer than an hour away?? If it's an hour trip to buy milk then that's too much.

Also as dc start secondary school is there enough in area 1 to keep them happy/have friends close by?

Original poster

inmyshoos · 25/08/2015 23:01

No i didnt realise that magrat How do you know this?

I thought most people would say area 2 as it has better schools and is within striking distance of a few cities for uni/work opportunities.

I just am torn as i want a big house/garden and a view but i also want facilities on hand!!

OP posts:

mandy214 · 25/08/2015 23:01

Number 2. If eldest is about 10 and you have a younger child / children, won't it be more convenient as they get older & want a little independence to be within striking distance of a good sized town? Would always plump for better schools too.

Having said that, a view makes no difference to me and although I can see the attraction of peace & quiet, having to get in the car for everything would drive me insane so may be coming at the decision from a different stand point.

ouryve · 25/08/2015 23:03

The second one.

Gorgeous views are very rarely guaranteed and do wear thing, anyhow, when you have a 2 hour commute and can't just pop out for things you need and seem to spend your entire life ferrying the kids to civilisation - on which note check out the public transport for when they get old enough to do that independently.

ouryve · 25/08/2015 23:03

wear thin.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 25/08/2015 23:04

Mandy I think I am with you in so much as the better schools/facilities for the kids. Although i do like peace and a view.

OP posts:

MagratGarlik · 25/08/2015 23:05

inmyshoos, just a prediction from years of MNetting

Roseandbee · 25/08/2015 23:05

Area 1, I'm moving from semi rural, to slightly more rural now.
Considering where you say you live now it sounds like area 1 is more your thing. Whats the motivation behind the move?

ouryve · 25/08/2015 23:07

I say all that as someone who lives in area 2 but occasionally sort of craves to be back in area 3, which is a city where everything is accessible with little effort but where we'd have to plump for a crap area to afford it.

Area 1 is mostly for retired people who don't need quick access to health care and romantics.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 25/08/2015 23:07

ouryve the view is pretty guaranteed as houses are built on a hill looking onto the sea. But i get your other points and agree about dc needing opportunity to be independant as they grow.

OP posts:

Original poster

inmyshoos · 25/08/2015 23:10

rose moving to be closer to family. Currently 4 hours from family. Area1/2 are both just over an hour from them.

OP posts:

mellicauli · 25/08/2015 23:14

Area 2:

teenage children want to be near other teenage children: you'll be a taxi driver for next 8 years in Area 1
your husband will want to earn more money and get another job one day. Much easier in area 2
no point in buying for the views. You pay for the house & have no right to those views continuing
bigger house=just more housework
gardens are more important to tweens than teens
if it doesn't work out, you can easily sell in area 1 and move to area 2. More difficult the other way round.

RingDownRingUp · 26/08/2015 07:55

Area 2 for schools

greencottage · 26/08/2015 09:40

Area 2. My teenage DS thought we lived in seventh circle of hell because we were in a beautiful rural village with no bus link. I spent 10 years driving backwards and forwards backwards and forwards to bus stops/friends/activities. Then as soon as they turn 17 you HAVE to help them get their licence and a car (for their sake and your sanity). This costs a fortune.

HeadDreamer · 26/08/2015 09:43

Area 2. I would never want to be that far from a city. 1 hour would drive me mad. Also, area 2 has better schools. Not sure what the commuting time is. Distance isn't a good indicator. I commute 35 miles and it's at the limit of what I can tolerate.

YeOldeTrout · 26/08/2015 09:46

Area 1, and I'm a big city girl. But the commuting distance swings it for me. Actually ,16 miles is still too far really for my liking.

ajandjjmum · 26/08/2015 09:54

Where are these houses built on a hill overlooking the sea inmyshoes? Very jealous!

Younger children, Area 1, older children, Area 2 - although in that case they'll be up and off in a few years, and you might be wishing you'd gone for Area 2. HTH!!!

ajandjjmum · 26/08/2015 09:55

Ooops - Area 1.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 26/08/2015 09:55

Area 2
As your DC get older, you want them to be able to go out with friends without you having to ferry them everywhere.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 26/08/2015 09:59

ajandjjmum I actually just said this to dh. Perhaps area 1 would suit until the dc finish secondary school but area 2 will suit for a longer time. Although tbh area 2 has 'better' schools, as far as league tables go.

Houses on hill looking onto the sea are west coast Scotland.

OP posts:

mummytime · 26/08/2015 10:20

I wouldn't be so bothered about "Citys" as large enough towns. Is there somewhere close enough, and where DC can get to independently for shops, clubs, to see friends? What other things are they into? Can they do these there?
If the schools are "good enough" and you can support them, then they should be fine.

University - going away from home is a good thing.

HeadDreamer · 26/08/2015 10:24

mummytime when I think cities, I don't actually mean it has to be an actual city (with cathedrals or universities). A place where you can have a night out, cinemas, shopping etc would be sufficient.

ChristineDePisan · 26/08/2015 10:29

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread