DC aged 14 & 12 - is it still worth moving house (upsizing)??

[shaggedthruahedgebackwards]

As per title, we have 2 DC aged 14 & 12

We bought our current house when DC1 was a baby and it has served us well. Until recently, I had not really considered that we would need to move again and I still like most things about our house. We could however afford something a bit bigger/better in the area we live but I am torn as realistically the DC could both have flown the nest in 6 years so not really sure if it's worth the upheaval and expense of moving when they are the age they are.

The main thing that would benefit the DC would be bigger bedrooms, they each have their own room in current house but both very small which they do moan about (first world problem I know!).

There are also thinkgs I would like from a house which we don't currently have (utility room, south facing garden etc) but none are critical things that I can't live without.

So in our circumstances would you stay put or move?

How would your house work if they come back after Uni?

How much room do you have downstairs?

For them to have friends over? Teenagers sometimes take up lots of space with friends

Can you extend your house?

Are you in expensive area eg London?

Any idea what children plans are after school?

Straight to work or uni?

Work around home area or are jobs they want are away from home?

I know people say children should leave home and live by themselves but that doesn't always happen in RL

we are moving and renting out our old house. we decided it was worth it, havent moved yet so I cant say if we were right

Any other "pulls" to relocate - closer to better public transport etc?

Or could you save the money and they have it to use as deposit?

We don't want to move areas, we are happy with our location so would be looking at moving purely for a bit more space.

We actually have quite decent living space, so bigger bedrooms for the DC would be the main driver to move although I'd love a utility room, en suite bathroom and south facing garden.

Good point about DC needing more space for sleepovers etc and if they come home from Uni etc

I'd move. You'd benefit from all those things youve mentioned. The kids might come back on and off well into their 20's. And are more likely to come back to stay and visit as adults if there is more space.

If you can afford it, I'd move.

Could you consider moving a little further away and possibly getting a lot more for your money? For example if you live in a town and moved to one of the surrounding villages you might be a to get a much bigger house. Based on the ages of your DCs you will not have to worry about school catchments any more.

Sorry just seen that you said you don't want to move areas...

The real question is how do you feel about them coming home from uni for holidays along with partners?

Would 2 people fit in each of their bedrooms?

Is that something you want or not?

What about if they came home to live after Uni along with partner each?

In my experience I would move to bigger house

Great news that you have room downstairs

I know it's a long way off potentially bit it would be nice to have a bit of extra bedrooms in the future when grandchildren want to stay! Say at Christmas, when your eldest has a baby in tow and both your children have partners and they all want to stay a couple of nights. I'd move! My parents downsized the minute we left home and now we cant stay the night with our families without sleeping on sofas / floora which isannoying.

Great replies, thank you

Yes, I would want them to feel comfortable returning to visit once they are adults which is a really good point - you couldn't fit a double bed in either of their bedrooms

Our house is 4 bed but only 1 room is a good size (ours)

You have all reassured me that I'm not completely mad considering upsizing. Ideally we should have done it a couple of years ago but will discuss with DH about exploring the finances properly and getting our house valued so we know what our budget is

I would move if you can comfortably afford it for reasons mentioned above. Teenagers like space. Once they leave home they will return for Christmas, summer holidays etc. probably until they have their own families even if they never 'live' with you again. Also I like the sound of the utility room, south facing garden and ensuite for you.

Is an extension and changing the existing layout of your home a possibility??

We debated this when DSD moved in with us full time. She had a box room which was fine for weekends and short stays but it was tiny for something permanent. It literally fit a single bed and a small wardrobe.

We knocked the walls between two bedrooms (our old room and the spare guest room) to make two good sized rooms- our old master suite was pretty big, then there was a small double (which DHs parents were living in at the time) and a box room. We then put an extension on the side of the house so we got an extra room downstairs which we turned into a dining room and our old one became a utility plus a new master suite with ensuite and small WIW upstairs. DSD then moved into one of the other bedrooms and DD now has the other and the box room is now a office.

For us it made more sense because DH got the house for a steal (repossession) in a good area with good schools. The savings we had wouldn't of brought us a bigger property in the same/similar area

We are thinking of having another DC who will have to share with DD until DSD permanently flies the nest which won't be for another 20 years if DH has his say

We aren't thinking in terms of adult DSD coming to visit- I'm sure she won't care if she has to sleep on an air bed for a couple of nights when the time comes.

No advice on the garden as I rarely sit in mine but seems daft to move for the sake of a new garden unless you are truly passionate and spend all your waking hours in it when you can

Potential for changing the layout and/or extending are minimal. We've already done all we can to maximise the space.

I'd do it. Our two are grown but both have been home for periods since they finished education. DS2 is currently at home trying to save up for his own place. And at holidays it's nice to have the room for DS1 and DiL to stay over without crowding.

Someday DH and I will downsize. We talk of it a lot, but something always stops us.

Yes, I think so. It will be hard for your DC to get a foot on the ladder- they may be at home for some time!

They'll be back during uni holidays, after uni, visits, visits with their children. Buy that bigger house!

If you can afford it then move. It's the best way to make money and when you downsize you will have much more equity.

We have 4 children (all over 30) and after uni, in between Masters travelling between relationships etc they have all been welcome to come home.

We now find that when they all visit with partners, grandchildren etc we need more space.

They have homes but cannot afford large places for a get together.

It is also a time in your life when,if you can afford it, you choose the things you would like. A utility is really NOT a luxury. Go for it and when you really need to downsize the larger house will have made more money.

My 24yo is still living at home, youngest child is very likely to want to continue to live at home during HE, what middle child does is anyone's guess! So for us, decent sized rooms are important.

On the flip side, a friend who also has 3 of similar ages was considering moving for more space. Two of them were sharing a bedroom. When she discussed it with her kids, she discovered they would prefer the family having more disposable income, and possibly able to help out more whilst at university, than more space. The older two got engaged at uni so haven't moved back home after.

3 of similar ages to ours

Yes ours were slightly younger but wow when they hit those teenage years the space was so welcome. Plus sleepovers etc are so much easier.