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Original poster

Location versus House

42 replies

Lavri · 21/09/2017 20:36

Hi, just wondering if anyone has bought a house they loved but not in a location they were crazy about?

Our offer on a great house was accepted today but I still have niggling anxieties about the location. It's a perfectly lovely location but more rural and isolated than we are now. It would mean a longer commute for us both and DC would have to change schools. We are currrently renting in a stunning place that is way too expensive to buy in. Myself and DC have great friends here but the new house would be nearer my family.

DH fell in love with the house and has been pushing the purchase but has acknowledged my concerns. The new house has loads of land and appears to be a great investment. My fear is that we will uproot us all and regret it but on the other hand if we don't go for it we might regret it and not be able to purchase something else while our mortgage offer is valid.

I had DS3 5 weeks ago so am definitely being influenced by my emotions so was wondering what others' experiences have been? If I could pick this house up and move it closer I would buy it in a heartbeat however if it was in our current location it would cost millions.... any advice from others who experienced the same?

OP posts:

Msqueen33 · 21/09/2017 20:40

I'm always guided by location. And what I want from where I live. How old are your other children? That might make a difference with changing schools if they're that bit older. Also how rural is rural?

JoJoSM2 · 21/09/2017 20:50

By the sound of it, you do need to move in order to be able to buy anyway. Have you checked out the school in the new area? Will your longer commute still be ok or a bit ridiculous?

Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 20:51

Thanks for the reply Msqueen33, DC are 6, 4 and 5 weeks so still small! The 4 year old has only just started school so is less attached but the 6 year old is very resistant to change!

It's actually not that rural. We're not in the UK but currently live by the sea about 13km from the capital city centre. The new house is 49km from the city centre but is 15 mins drive from 2 big towns, about 15 mins drive from schools. The road itself is rural and quiet, as in I wouldn't let the DC cycle it. We would need to drive everywhere, nothing in walking distance. I grew up in a similar area whereas DH always lived in major cities and I think his heart may be captured by the romance of it all!

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Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 20:55

Thanks Jo my current commute is about 45 mins and the new commute would be about 1hr 15 mins each way by train. I only work 2.5 days and will be on maternity leave til early next year. DH currently has a commute of over an hour by car and the new house will be about the same possibly a bit longer as traffic is heavier. Schools seem to be good and have space

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Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 20:56

We could buy something near here but it would be small and need a lot of work. The new house is massive and full of character and potential. I love the house!

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cheminotte · 21/09/2017 21:00

Definitely location over house.
We nearly moved to a lovely house with huge garden last year but it fell through. Would have meant driving much more than currently, change of schools etc and I'm really glad we didn't. We did move but are still walking distance to school, city centre and dc1 has started to walk home on his own.

JoJoSM2 · 21/09/2017 21:51

I think that level of commute would put me off along with the need to drive to get anywhere. You could end up living in cars/on trains with the commute and ferrying 3 children to activities and friends...

When we were looking for a house, we wanted a large property but couldn't afford one in an upmarket area. We searched for a location that was 'good enough' - pleasant, safe, green, affordable etc We did eventually find it- DH finds his commute just about reasonable, I found a job locally and there are amenities within walking distance. We were able to get a nice big house although not as amazing as some properties further out. But it was the best compromise overall.

Is the house you've found your best compromise or would there be a better location/house combination out there somewhere?

Luxembourgmama · 21/09/2017 21:53

We were guided by location. Our house is nice but not the kind of wow house we would have gotten further out but got me nothing beats a short commute and parking the car on Friday evening and not needing it until Monday morning.

irregularegular · 21/09/2017 21:58

I think your gut is telling you this is a bad idea!

Personally I would never have considered anywhere that wasn't within an easy, safe walk to at least a primary school and basic shop, as well as a station. We automatically ruled out anywhere that didn't meet that criterion and wouldn't view. We could have bought some amazing houses with huge gardens if we didn't apply this, but we knew that was not the kind of lifestyle we wanted.

irregularegular · 21/09/2017 21:59

1 hr 15 mins is a long commute! Is that total travelling time for just the train. If it's total travelling time it is probably bearable part-time. But not if it is just the train.

Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 22:14

Thanks all for your replies. 1hr 15 is the total commute, not just train but I agree it is long! I have no intention of changing jobs in the near future but could possibly do private work at some stage in the future.

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Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 22:18

I think my gut is telling me something but not sure if I fully trust my gut when I'm so emotional at the moment. DS2 was very sick for a few years and I think I have a strong emotional connection to this place as it was a sanctuary from hospital. But maybe a change from that would be good too. Our friends here are a great support and I would find that hard to leave behind to.

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BumWad · 21/09/2017 22:20

We live in a beautiful old house however the location means our commutes are long and tedious

We will be selling next year and will end up in a not as nice house but in the long run our lives will be so much easier due to a better location

QuiteLikely5 · 21/09/2017 22:20

I think it would be a total mistake. Location is everything.

A Beautiful house could be anywhere but if it ain't in the right location for you and your family then it just isn't right for you.

Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 22:21

Good questions Jo unfortunately we live in a city with soaring house prices and a huge housing deficit so there is not a lot to choose from. I keep hoping more will come on the market but I don't think any will excite DH as this one does. Trying to avoid either of us resenting the other for whichever decision we make.

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Original poster

Lavri · 21/09/2017 22:22

Thanks so much for all your replies, really appreciate it

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JamOrCreamFirst · 21/09/2017 22:25

We had a stunning house in the type of location you describe. Had to drive everywhere. We moved to be more central. Not a house design I would have chosen and a tiny garden but DC walks to school, and we walk to cafes and the park. Walk so much more than we did in the country. Location every time.

Changednamejustincase · 21/09/2017 22:50

Those commutes seem really long to me. The primary schools are a long drive away too. Could you not find a house that was close to one of the primary schools and a shop? Otherwise you will be driving to everything.

If you can't find anything you like and can afford close to a few amenities I would go for it. Loving the house is a big positive and you can't afford one where you are. I would try and imagine what life would really be like there and see if I was excited or filled with doubt. Let us know what you decide.

Enko · 21/09/2017 22:59

Unlike many others here I wouldnt say one trump the others.

We bought a location over house once and really never was fully happy there.. Then later we went for house over location and stayed for 10 years in that place.. Loved the house so could put up with the location easier..

Now live in a location and house place thats pretty good to be able to do.

namechangedtoday15 · 21/09/2017 23:24

It wouldn't suit our family. 2 now at local senior schools - about 20 minutes walk away, 1 at primary still. Some nights DC1 finishes on time, DC 2 stays for an after school club, DC3 gets picked up but needs taking to Brownies or whatever at 6pm. If none of those journies is walking distance, you're just going to be a taxi service for the next 17 or 18 years. Children won't have as much independence as they won't be able to (spontaneously) stop off at library / cafe / friends house on the way home because you'll be collecting.

I think the beauty / size of the house will wear thin once you have to go literally everywhere by car.

yellowineverything · 21/09/2017 23:46

It looks like you've got quite a strong instinct against moving to this place despite the house being great - of course, this is the reason for your post.

Fwiw my advice is - stay where you are for now!

5rivers7hills · 22/09/2017 07:24

Everyone always says location is everythkng... but then why do so may people live in less than ideal areas? Have such a long commute? Because for the vast majority of people there is a compromise between location and house for their budget.

This doesn't seem like a house v location issue, it is a rural v urban issue. Personally I would hate to have to drive everywhere so wouldn't even consider the house. Other people think being rural is the best thing ever.

namechangedtoday15 · 22/09/2017 09:10

5rivers I think its because "location" means different things to different people. It might be the right location because of family, it might be the draw of good schools, it might be access to a particular amenity (high level sports academy or whatever). We lived in my ideal location (for me that was the very best state schools and a sense of community) but initially I wanted to keep my old job for financial reasons so did a very long commute.

I think there's always a compromise to be had even if "location" ticks 9 out of 10 boxes. For me though, when its a choice over location or house, location wins every time.

AJPTaylor · 22/09/2017 09:12

We have recently done this.
We went for location.
Very happy

cheminotte · 22/09/2017 12:04

Also you can make changes to a house (redecorate, extend etc). You can't change a location either in its distance from places or if the area has parking issues, is improving or going downhill etc.

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