Location Location??............but bloody ugly house!

[lostlilly]

I am trying to buy a home for me and dd as a result of divorce.
I need to be in a certain area due to dd school access and my work access.
I have a limited budget so as a single parent I can afford-
A reasonable 3 bed house and garden in a not great area inhabited by a LOT of students and industrial buildings, despite not being a great area surprisingly expensive due to student lets but my dd can walk to school and I can access road network easy to get me to work.
OR
An ugly house with small garden or a very flat but in a much more favoured, quieter, family friendly residential area, easy for me to get to work, a bus journey for dd to get to school?

What really is more important?

[dotdotdotmustdash]

I would say a smaller 2 bed flat or house in a nicer area.

[HeyMacWey]

The second one.

[lostlilly]

okay so I have seen a mid terraced ugly as hell 1960s pebbledash box seriously cheap as old fashioned inside but very clean, I would have money totally refurb it inside. The area and location is great but
I feel like id be embarrassed when people come and see me in this house
but the other house I much prefer, Id be embarrassed about people coming to the area as its so scruffy

Its sooo hard? am I being totally fickle? at least I can buy a house on mown right?

[lostlilly]

'my own'

[TravellingFleet]

Pebbledashed box, and make it look fabulous on the inside. If you do it right, the inside is all the more impressive for being unexpected.

There’s plenty you can do on the outside with the garden and styling to make it look better outside.

[mineallmine]

The area is the more important thing to consider. Isn't there some phrase about buying the worst house on the best street versus the best house on the worst street? You can change a house in many ways but you can't change the area.
Congrats on starting your new (hopefully peaceful post-divorce) life.

[yoyoyoyoyo]

Pebbledash box. Bright white paint makes pebble dash look better I think.
Refurb inside so looks amazing. I bet there is something you can do to the outside. Have a drive around and look at similar properties and what they have done.

As an aside. I don’t think students are the worst neighbours at all!

[Ploppie4]

Nicer location. Worst house on the best street always. You can always improve the look of the house. You can’t improve the area.

[toothgenie]

I bought my first house post divorce in a predominantly student area. I wouldn’t again, all sorts of anti social behaviour. Broken sleep, minor vandalism. It was by the minority I hasten to add but nevertheless not pleasant.

[JoJoSM2]

Oh dear. I would hate to be surrounded by industrial buildings and not that keen on a lot of students locally.

It sounds like even in the nicer, family area, you do get a decent property. Whilst I'm not a fan of pebbledash either, just painting it makes it a lot nicer. Add to that good windows, front door and a smart front garden, it's bound to look pleasant.

[BowlingShoes]

I once heard Kirstie tell someone not to be worried about an ugly house because you will spend a lot more time looking at the inside than the outside, which you said you have money to do up. Area would definitely win for me. People visiting will be coming to see you, not scrutinising the outside of your house.

[pallisers]

definitely the small ugly house in the great location. You have the money to do it up - you could make it stunning on the inside.

We had friends who bought a seriously ugly house (horrible facade) in lovely area - and nice inside. Her dad said to her "you'll be on the inside of the house most of the time and so will your guests.What do you care what it looks like outside?"

[TwitterQueen1]

My house is ugly but I love it IMMENSELY because of its location.

I cannot begin to tell how much its location has made my life easier as a single mother of 3.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION! (ha has, sorry, couldn't resist)

[lostlilly]

but I mean SERIOUSLY ugly lol I will try and attach a pic

[TwitterQueen1]

I love it - your house OP. It's got a lovely, warm, friendly 'come and live in me I will be good to you' vibe.

[Alittlepotofrosie]

It's not that ugly. I would go for that one.

[SipsiCat]

You can change the outside. Area is more important to me than looks.

[time4chocolate]

Just paint it white as neighbour has, bit of trellis between door and window with a nice climber, would make a world of difference. Definitely wouldn’t put me off.

[ooerrmissus]

Hmm but are you going to spend all your time outside looking at the house, or inside the house looking out?

Coat of paint, maybe some wooden facia if budget allows, and jobs a good’un

[SummatFishyEre]

It's not that ugly

[Ploppie4]

I bet you could make that look great if you threw cash at it. When you have spare cash.

[lostlilly]

okay so..... seen as you are ll being wonderfully encouraging, help me out!
I lost my buyer so just gone back on the market at a reduced price for quick sale.
what's the best way to get this lovely elderly couple if they will give me chance to re- sell mine...I can offer the full asking price and it has been on the market for a while??

[crimsonlake]

That is by no means bad. I am in the same situation, moving from a lovely area which I cannot afford to downsize in so having to rethink myself. Yes its difficult to decide whether to go for not so good area but bigger /cheaper house or tiny house in better area, has kept me awake many a night.

[Ploppie4]

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/483011128770857381/

[AccrualIntentions]

I'd go for location every time! Especially having had my life made miserable by antisocial behaviour in an area heavily populated with students.