Please help me to decide about house moving

[catbasilio]

My current house: non-traditional 1960s built (flat roof and plastic cladding) in 400+ estate, all privately owned, nice safe suburban area, catchment of one of best comprehensive secondary schools (my DC are Y3 and Reception). Affordable mortgage (640/month) and we can have easy life. Low maintenance and decor is in top order. We have a garage and a downstairs toilet (important!).

Drawbacks: The house has no extending potential. Our primary school is inconviently located 2 miles away, to which my DC mostly walk. I drive to the station near my kids school (10 mins drive) but my kids have to walk by aupair. We struggle with afterschool activities because one of the children has to stay in a local park, rather than home, to wait for activity to finish. I drive literally everywhere, and literally in rounds from train station to home, from home to pick up DC from afterschool activities. I wouldn't have bought the house if it wasn't for the secondary school catchment.
As you can imagine these houses are harder to shift and likely appreciate in value less.

House in question, which I am thinking to buy. 3 mins walk from the primary school, 15mins walk to the station. Not a pretty 1930s house but spacious and has potential. It would be superconvenient for us for the next few years. I could almost ditch my car. It is in a recently gentrified London area and has good community spirit, but the under the surface the area still has issues. This is one of few houses with SE postcode that I could still afford. There are more amenities and parks around than in my current area.

Drawbacks: Higher mortgage (abt 950/month). I can afford it, but everything needs doing to the house eventually and I have no budget for that. A big question of secondary schools, obviously there are schools but I anticipate big headache when the time comes. One bathroom. That's really it but the school question is really tough.

My current house is under offer and I am thinking to make an offer on the house in question. Please assure me it wont be a total mistake.

It is almost entirely because of secondary school catbasilio but we may get a larger garden and a slightly better living space configuration. I've seen a 3-bed bungalow with a huge garden that I'm hoping to look at. To be fair we only have two children so the 4th bedroom isn't really needed but it is useful for guests and storage. I don't know if it will be worth it but I have friends who've sent children to our catchment school and I've been put off by their experience. If it was a bungalow we would have the option to convert the loft which would be good for the future.

If that was me I think I'd probably try and move the kids to a closer primary. Not only have you got all the extra travel which is a lot for everyone to deal with, but if (am I understanding correctly?) you and your kids are headed back to your old area all the time then it's maybe stopping you integrating with your new community? Could that be another reason you're not feeling very settled? Have you been to visit any? Maybe they're not all as bad as you think! Also secondary really isn't that far off for your eldest - I know schools are changing all the time but if you're not happy with the options at the other house now I'm not sure things are likely to have changed that dramatically in the space of 2years when you have to apply? The cost of moving is not insignificant. Also agree with pp re the cost of renovations - even 1930s is pretty old.

Unless of course you really hate the house that much you need to move elsewhere.

splendi good idea but we really love the school. But perhaps we should consider.
Just came back from another 1930s house viewing. It was superficially but on a second look it still needs lots of work. Decided that if I don't find absolutely a dream house in the next couple of weeks I won' move. In fact I have come to appreciate the top condition of my house when I came out of the viewing.

Ours move is completely motivated by the secondary school - all of our local ones are in special measures - with the added bonus that it will take me closer to work. It is going to cost us well over £100k to move for a lesser house than the very compact three bed we are currently in. I absolutely wouldn't be moving in your circumstances.

What would I do without mumsnet! Currently thinking of rewarding myself with a palm tree to plant in my garden for deciding to stay put :) unless a dream house comes (back) on the market

In that case, can you lend me £100k [only half kidding]

It would have to be a very special primary school indeed for me to suffer a daily 4mile round trip. Especially on foot. But then maybe I'm just too inclined towards an easy life!

Congratulations btw on making a decision. I think?!

splendi it is a faith school and there is no close faith school to my current home.
Thank you all!

Ah ok. Maybe you need to find someone who can drive the kids there to try and make life a bit easier then? Just an idea.

My first thought on seeing your picture was that you should just extend the walls to just before the tree and put your fence there. Don't go past the tree, you'd be responsible for it's upkeep. Least helpful post from least qualified to comment poster ever, I'll go away now.