House with style out in the sticks, or sensible house on estate near school

[Bowlersx5]

We want to move to a bigger home and have a dilemma between a beautiful 1930s home down a country lane, with about 100ft garden, still only about 12 minutes to work and 15 minutes to school, or a not very stylish 1980s house walking distance from school, smaller garden, but still decent size house. The first would really be the choice of my and hubby, but would rely on us to drive the children everywhere and the children would just have our garden to play in as the road is quite busy. On the housing estate there are likely to be other kids around to play with and as the children get older they could be more independent, getting a bus into town etc. The children are 3, 7 and 9 but when we move we want to stay put for a long time.
What would you choose?

[BeauGlacons]

Let's be realistic.
House one has been on the market for a while (why?)
Have you a day where you can pull into a layby, at 6am for 14 hours to get the traffic vibe?
Are you prepared to be a taxi service for 10-15 years?
Are you and DH prepared to spend 5/6hiurs gardening every week from May-Sept?
Are you prepared to pay £750 for a survey and then possibly some extra ones for further investigation of damp/electrics?
The conservatory looks as though it will need maintenance and the kitchen will need updating.
A loft conversion will cost you upwards of £45k.
A 30's house is pushing 100. Has it had a new roof - if not £30k.
I think it might be a money pit and it isn't in a great area without risks judging from people who know it.
BUT
Do you love it? Is this a long term proposition of 20+ years? (you are asking the question so perhaps not)
Is there any development potential vis a vis the plot? Could you at some stage build another house or three in the garden: Could parts of the land be valuable to a local business?
Do you have the money to turn it into your dream home?
If the answer to all of that is yes then offer £255,000 and see what happens.
do you know already where your Christmas tree will go

Sits in 1927 money pit with a tired interior that we overpaid for BUT we fell in love with it, can afford it and it's potentially an awesome development plot in an area where three houses would be snapped up when the garden becomes too much

[Bowlersx5]

As far as floods, we asked specifically and that part hasn't flooded for over 40ys and the extended the sea defences after that one - actually the area of the last link not a giraffe posted flooded in December just gone. We've looked at crooked hall gardens, but it's in the grounds of a school for children with behavioural difficulties - might present different challenges, but yes it's nice. Second link to mum sent puts us into a different postcode which may well lead to secondary school challenges. As both my husband and I drive to lancaster each day for work it would be better if they were in Lancaster for school too. I will look again at the one by the canal... it virtually backs on to the hospital where I work... although that might just be a bit too close for comfort
;-)

Thanks for all the advice

[GretchenBeckett]

I know the area of the first one well and that is a very busy road it's on. I love the house but the traffic noise would drive me crazy. Also it sometimes floods around there so make sure you check that out too.

[notagiraffe]

or this?

[sherbetpips]

We went estate, much better for ds and his friendships, doesn't have to rely on me ferrying him everywhere. House is big but boring but suits just fine for now, we can have our dream house when he moves out!

[notagiraffe]

How about this one?

[LucyLocketLostHerPocket]

I like both the houses t1mum linked to in same area better tbh but if you had to have one of the first two I'd go for the second. It's just more practical for kids to be able to get about by themselves. The first house looks like a lonely place for a child to live.

[irregularegular]

I'd be very tempted by the first - I do love a nice 1930s house, garden and view - but I think that with children the age of yours, the second might give a nicer lifestyle. I think there is an enormous amount to be said for having school, friends, activities, public transport within walking distance. Being part of a community rather than nowhere in particular on an A road. If you think there would be that community, public transport links, and good schools within walking distance of the second house then I'd go for that. Assuming you care about that kind of thing. There do seem to be some people who aren't that interested in local community and are happy to have two cars and drive everywhere.

[Bowlersx5]

Plan with 1st house would be to split huge bedroom upstairs back into 2 rooms as it originally was. My boys don't actually mind sharing and so we might keep them sharing for now to gain a playroom/second reception downstairs. The loft would be big enough for master + en suite at some point.

I think it basically comes down to head vs heart. Both in nice enough areas, but do I go with heart for less practical option in the country, or head for sensible option in town....

We do enjoy gardening and would look forward to having the opportunity of a veggie patch etc.
We would need another £100 k to get the ideal option of character property with space, parking and garden in town
Then again, maybe just need to keep looking. ...

[t1mum]

Don't know the area at all but there seem to be some other nice houses around that would tick more boxes www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-40337985.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-37331757.html

[JeffreySadsacIsUnwell]

I went for a wander past the first house using street view. That farm/industrial place that a PP also spotted (clearly same antennae!) has a sign in its driveway saying "HGV deliveries next left" and you can see one of the HGVs on street view. I would not want lorries thundering past the house - can't see speed limit signs anywhere so assume it's 60. Google maps has a bus stop close to the house but how frequent are the services and would you want your children standing on the verge at the bus stop with those lorries (and cars...) speeding past?

Think I'd keep searching...

[whois]

It is bloody close to the M6 tho! You'll have bad M way traffic noise.

[whois]

I think the first house has a really awkward lay out and actually I would go for the modern estate house. It is 'uninspiring' but will be better as a family house.

[namechangedtoday15]

Sorry meant I wouldn't let her walk home from the 1st house - got my links mixed up!!

[namechangedtoday15]

I would suggest neither!

I have an 11 yr old girl and there is no way (having looked at the map and the street map) that I'd be letting her walk home to and from that 2nd house in the evening / after school (dark nights). Its a lovely location but I don't think it works as a family house until your children are much more grown up. I also agree that you're not close enough for your friends / children's friends to pop round and even if they do (for your friends) someone would have to drive / get a taxi which makes you an awkward host.

Similarly however, I don't like estates. I would keep looking.

[notagiraffe]

Difficult. Maybe you haven't found the right house yet. I love No1 and dislike No2, though it's functional.
But as DC grow older, we've found it so useful to live in a village with public transport links. Most of their friends aren't local children, as it happens. They outgrew that playing in the street with whoever's nearest thing ages ago. But it's good to be able to let them jump on a bus or train to meet up with friends from nearby towns and not have to ferry them everywhere. And they have their own interests - they spend half the weekend at clubs which again, they can get themselves to. It gives everyone some freedom. As well as meaning they can run errands to the local shops, stroll down to a cafe for an ice cream etc. All this stuff adds up to a fun, independent life for them.

[Blu]

The downstairs bedroom in the country would be a complete pain. Noise at night, use of bathroom etc. the answer would be to extend into the loft, maybe.

How is the journey to secondary schools? I look at the weekend my 14 yo DS has had, using buses and walking to go to 2 'extra curricular' activities and 3 social and I am SO pleased I do not have to be a taxi. Being in distance to walk to school adds much quality of life, IMO.

And country lanes are the worst for cycling on: speeding traffic in narrow lanes.

[Nyama]

Check they aren't going to build in the fields at the back.

[tittysprinkles]

The first house whilst nice looks very remote. There looks like there is a lot of land to maintain too. You will be using your car a lot there I think.

The second house looks better located for the town but I am a bit suspicious of the lack of a floor plan given all the internal rearrangements that have gone on. The biggest concern for me though is that it's right next to the M6 so noise could be an issue.

Neither looks ideal - sorry that's not really helpful!

[Wildernesstips]

It depends on the location in the estate. I live on the edge of the estate and am not overlooked at all, and it is a real blessing that DS1 can get a bus from the estate to college and DS2 can walk to school. I have also lived in the sticks, although not a dream house, and was constantly worried about the road they had to cross to get to school.

[Beedoo123]

We're having the same discussion at the mo... Think we'll go for the countryside option on the basis the children won't need ferrying around forever (although recognise when it comes to it.... it might feel like it!!)

[SisterViktorine]

I don't think house 1 is big enough for you.

[unlucky83]

Still think property 2 - for the reasons I stated before and its bigger! Although it is quite close to the M6 - is it noisy in the garden?
What is the big building near house 1? Is it a farm or industrial unit? And how close is it to the sea? That area iirc is pretty flat...is it a future flood risk?

[BeauGlacons]

Neither is commutable, ie, in walking distance of a mainline station.

Which is the mist desirable area
Where do you want to live most
Is either a compromise
How much money does each need spent on it in terms of annual maintenance
How keen are you both on gardening - house one is a big commitment there - looks like six/seven hours a week.

My inclination would be house 1 but you will be a taxi for ten years and I suspect it will cost you more.

Either way both houses would be close to a million here

[Jinglebells99]

The house in the country is much more attractive. But it only has two bedrooms upstairs and the other is downstairs which is a bit unusual, also would mean two of your children would have to share a bedroom. Amazing looking house and location for price, why do you think it hasn't sold already?