Proximity to amenities/work or further out and bigger house?

[Chocolateyescakeyes]

Just being nosey what you would choose when buying a house, in a nice town which is close to shops/work/ family but is expensive or move to a further out smaller town (10/15mins) drive along a countryish road and get a bigger, nicer house for cheaper (by £30 odd grand or more)? DC would have to get bus to secondary school and most school friends would be in the aforementioned bigger town.
What do you think you would choose?

bigger town

smaller house closer to amenities.

Bigger town. £30k over even 10 years isn't that much more on a mortgage. When you consider cost of bus fares and maybe petrol, or taxis as they get older etc is there really much difference and it will makes all your lives much easier.