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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:

YeOldeTrout · 26/08/2015 10:37

I don't do nights out, I just like the feel of cities.

Thing is, will you be happy to move away when they have flown the coop (I would be). If this is a 'forever house' then maybe go practical near the cities and JOBS.

If Area2 is nearer to 2 cities, why can't your H. work there? 2+ hours commuting a day sucks.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 26/08/2015 10:41

Area 1

There is a regular bus service to nearest town. In the town there is a swimming pool, cafes, fair amount of shops. Not really much choice of supermarkets which is disappointing (cant believe my life has come to the point where this is 'disappointing ) The estate agent selling this grew up in the street behind it and whilst she obviously wants to sell it, she did a good job when describing her years living there as a child/teenager. It also has a sailing club and my ds sails and would love having that on his doorstep.
I think its location being less central makes it seem 'safer', in so much that I can see ds taking the 30min ride on the bus to town with friends as a young teen but the idea of that in area 2 makes me a bit nervous.

Area 2

Far more central. Can reach 3 different cities within 30mins- hr. Regular buses. Would take dh around 40 mins to drive to his base from there. He currently drives 2 hrs to base so 40 mins fine! Feels less rural than area 1 but we are very rural at moment however i can reach a city in 45 mins (although the next closest city is 3 hrs away so area 1 still more central than here!)

OP posts:

Original poster

inmyshoos · 26/08/2015 10:44

yeoldetrout dh already has a job he loves and covers a certain area. He has two bases he can work from. So we are moving closer to one of the bases. Currently we are 2 hrs from base and he works away. Moving to within an hour of base makes it commutable if he wants to do that. But most importantly it takes us closer to family.

OP posts:

pinkje · 26/08/2015 11:04

Area 2 sounds like it would suit you better from what you've written. Keep area 1 for your post-schoolage children years.

I would think Area 2 will have a higher turn-around on property sales so would make selling in 15 (?) years time easier.

How old are your children?

I know what you mean about the bus journeys but I would worry more about my children using an infrequent, often finishing early, service than a busy one.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 26/08/2015 11:18

pinkje children are ds11 dd8 and dd7

Both bus services are regular and i think well used. I think the reason area 1 seems less scary (in terms of ds using bus himself to get around) is that the journey is a circular route from a town out around a little peninsula whereas area 2 is a through route from one city to another. Does that makes sense?

I would really like this next house to be long term. I dont want to move in to a house knowing we will want/need to move. Even though I know we likely will I would like to move in feeling it could be forever (hopeless romantic?!)

OP posts:

YeOldeTrout · 26/08/2015 11:19

Your heart is in Area2, isn't it?

Wow, 40 minutes to do 30 miles. Must be good motorways! Takes me 35-40 minutes to do 17 miles (rural Norfolk).

yomellamoHelly · 26/08/2015 11:26

I'd do house 2. Won't be long before you get used to the views and house 2 sounds like it's got more going for it.

nottheOP · 26/08/2015 11:28

2 but I'm a city girl

HeadDreamer · 26/08/2015 11:32

yeoldtrout that's why I ask what's the commute time. It's 45min for me to do 35 miles in the mornings. I know friends who take 30min to do an commute across the city.

MajesticWhine · 26/08/2015 11:32

Area 2. As others have said, when your DC are older, they will want independence to be able to go and meet friends in town / city, or get a part time job, and generally have more things going on within striking distance. I was brought up in a rural location and hated it as a teenager. You can always visit places for lovely views and scenery, and you will appreciate it so much more.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 26/08/2015 11:36

yeoldetrout not motorways just A ckass roads and going away from the city so dont imagine traffic being heavy. Thats the joy of not working in a city!

OP posts:

AllPizzasGreatAndSmall · 26/08/2015 11:49

Are these houses in villages where there will be nothing for your older children to do without travelling into a city, or are they in small towns which has some facilities e.g a high street, sports centre.

I personally would always want to be somewhere that teenagers can cycle or walk to places with friends, and when they get older go out on a night without having to travel miles.

HellKitty · 26/08/2015 11:54

Area 2.
The older the DCs are then they'll want to go out with friends and do whatever it is teenagers do. As they get older you might want a job and it's a lot easier in a bigger place.

My own rule of thumb is somewhere within walking distance of getting a pint of milk.

CremeEggThief · 26/08/2015 12:06

Area 2.

wickedwaterwitch · 26/08/2015 12:08

area 2

lljkk · 26/08/2015 16:16

wait a minute... has your husband actually test driven the journey from either Area1 or Area2 to his possible future offices? It sounds like you just imagine the traffic won't be heavy.

Morning traffic for my 17 miles is 35 minutes, but 55+ minutes in evenings.

museumum · 26/08/2015 16:24

with kids starting secondary i'd say area 2.

area1 sounds like the kind of place you'd really have to get them a car and driving lessons at 17 and then worry yourself crazy about them on national speed limit roads not to mention bankrupt yourself with insurance.

you can always move to a more lovely place when they're all out of uni and flown the nest.

HeadDreamer · 26/08/2015 16:24

lljkk mine is 35 miles for 45min in the morning, but 60-75min in the evening. So it's doable with that estimate.

Original poster

inmyshoos · 26/08/2015 22:30

lljkk Dh is currently 98 miles from nearest office and journey varies from 1hr 50 mins to 2hrs 30 depending on time of year etc. Area 1 and area 2 are 16 miles and 24-30 miles (depending on which bit of area 2 we are in) from nearest base. Both are a huge improvement on current situation.

OP posts:

ClaudiaNaughton · 28/08/2015 10:06

As it is in Scotland maybe post also in Scotsnet or area's local site and get first hand advice?

Roseandbee · 30/08/2015 09:40

I still say Area 1 as its not like there are no facilities & area 2 isn't in the city either so to my understanding I don't think its a full on rural vs city living debate. And seeing as your rural now & your not moving because that bothers you I think you'd be unhappy in area 2. yes teenagers need something to do, but big cities aren't always the answer & they aren't always the best environment in terms of safety. As ClaudiaNaughton suggested it might come down to getting some first hand advice to figure out what life would be like in either place for your teenagers

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