Buying. What is important and what's an OK compromise?

[sellotape12]

Now you’re a mum, in hindsight what factors were most important in choosing a place to live? Or does it really not matter?

We’re looking at some modest places in Crofton Park, Forest Hill and Sydenham in SE London. As I’m not quite yet a parent, I want to make sure we think about the right things now.

One place is close to a park, but the high street is a bit grotty and is 10 mins further from our friends.
Another is close to a great high street with cafes, libraries, etc, but has a small North-facing garden.
One other place has a big garden, on a quiet street near a school, but tiny bathroom and a 12-15 min walk to shops, cafes, train stations.
All have scope for extension..not that we’ll ever have a penny left ever again!

Of course, we may get none of them. I’m so brain-fogged I can’t decide what our priorities are though.

I don't know the areas at all, but from the descriptions I would go with B if it were me.

From the description I would go with B as long as there is room in the kitchen for at least a breakfast bar/small table.

RM links?

sellotape12 with the schools, have a look at this to see if you are likely to get in.

Even if it seems very close, in London the admissions area can be tiny!

Have a look at this document. It says the furthest away a child was offered a place last year on distance grounds for Gordonbrook was 443 metres. Is the flat nearer than that? You measure by walking distance, using roads, not as the crow flies.

For Beecroft it was similar at 474 metres.

www.lewisham.gov.uk/myservices/education/schools/school-admission/applying-to-start-primary-school/Documents/ApplyingPrimarySchool201617.pdf

B!

Also, it's not 5 years time. If you're pregnant and due before September, then your child will be due to attend school in 2020, when he/she is only just 4-and-a-bit.

You would need to get your name down for admissions before that - when depends on the council, for us it was the January. So if you were going to move again, you'd need to be actually moved in by January 2020, but ideally earlier - say winter 2019. But you'd need to do the whole house hunting and moving process before then. So you'd need to think about moving again earlier than you might imagine! (Sorry to scare you!)

If your baby is due in 2016, but September or later, add a year on.

For me, schools would be a major factor.

B sounds nice on paper - I like lots of families, that's been great for our DC.

But the schools would be a major deciding factor for me - what do you know about them?

But the schools would be a major deciding factor for me - what do you know about them?

As a randomer living in the area and completely overinvested in the education of my (currently hypothetical) DC, both schools are places with very positive reputations locally and friendly vibes at open events.

On paper B.

But check schools. If you don't get closest one, what is second closest one?

Things that I also appreciated were a downstairs loo which makes toilet training slightly less fraught. Somewhere in the kitchen to put a high chair. A porch to store muddy boots or pushchair

B!

Wow so much to think about. Will read it all tonight.
Anyone who wants me to PM the links let me know! You guys might change our lives :)

Great point about schools. Both places are within 300m of Ousted Good schools

Gah! The bigger house (good kitchen, large rooms, smaller garden) has something that my agent says is "high risk".
The seller wants to buy in Wales. How are they going to get from London to Wales to do viewings without any kind of major delay?! My understanding is the market is pretty quiet near the Brecon Beacons too so don't imagine the chain would complete any time soon...

Do you think we can insist she finds somewhere to rent, in order to complete the chain? It's a very jittery market in London.

Sorry. I will close this thread soon I swear

Schools and area
Garden
Living near space
Upstairs space
Scope for extension

Never choose an agent who doesn't produce floor plans - I won't waste time viewing a property without one.

You could try.

Offer [x] with the assumption you exchange in 12 weeks and complete in 13 weeks and that they will move into rental if needed. Not exactly enforceable but its at least an indication of if they are keen to move?

B easily.

Oh yes, can I have links please? I was house hunting first for ourselves and then for friends for the past few years. Now that we have all bought, am kinda bored and feeling not-put-to-good-use.

B !

I chose the current house because of:
secondary school
secondary school
secondary school
(repeated three times intentionally!)
safe green low pollution area
affordable 1960s house and low maintenance
good safe setup for teenager children to go out and about
downstairs toilet

I compromised on:
small garden
non extendable
worse public transport