Location or house? We can't decide.

[user1489792710]

Myself DH and 2 year old DD live in a new build two bed apartment which DH bought about 5 years ago. It's a ten minute walk to where we both work, shops and parks. The local primary school which is just opposite work is one of the best in the area.

It's lovely modern flat with an amazing sea view and all the amenities are quite new as well. The downside is it's getting really cramped with the three of us as it has no storage space or a garden for DD to play in etc.

We've looked at houses in the surrounding area and found a three bed detached with plenty of storage and a wee garden built in the 40s. The interior, kitchen bathrooms are quite old fashioned as is the layout of the house. But the location is excellent as it's even closer to work and there a nursery for DD within walking distance as well. We've made a offer which has been accepted.

All the other more modern nicer houses with bigger gardens we've seen are at least a 30 minutes drive away.

I think location is important as I'm returning to work soon and can do without the stress of driving and nursery drop off pick up in the morning. However we will have to spend ££ on upgrading the house kitchen fittings wardrobes etc. The new builds which we've seen have all these already which would be convenient.

I suppose location is important although we don't love the house? What have your experiences been like? Or is it an obvious decision??

DH however is uncertain about lea

Urrghh! That last sentence was hiding so didn't see to delete before posting!!

I would go for location every time . I see a house/ flat as a means to be somewhere, though, and I’m more interested in the city ( or wherever) than the house. Others I know disagree, and I think it depends on what matters to you most. You’re the only one who knows that

You can replace bathrooms, in time, but you can never change a house's location.

Location sounds perfect :). Go for it!

It sounds perfect. What are you worried about? New dishwashers/showers etc become old ... and then you gave yo update them. You’ll have to update stuff but it will be to your taste.

30 minutes away is quite a distance. I’d stick with location.

New builds tend to be cheaply made, thin walls and building rubble in the garden

You will be doing the school run for years plus the nursery - so forbthe sale of a few jobs (which you can chose yourself) I'd go for location over house

Is it.livable now? If so, sounds like a no-brainer. But I don't like new builds.

PM me the link! Let me have a nosebleed

Nose!

Location location location!

You don't have to do up the house all at once. You can do it slowly bit by bit (using all the time and money you'll save by not having a commute!!) and in a few years time you'll have a lovely house with your own stamp on it right in the place you want to be.

I chose location and my cousin house a few years ago and she regrets it and wants to move again

Which house is nearer good primary and secondary schools?

Nursery location is by the by IMO, nursery is over in a flash!

But I would put location over size/decor of the house.

There are circumstances in which it's right to compromise on location for the house, but in this case (assuming schools are better as these are much more long term than nursery) then the 40s house sounds like a clear winner to me.

But. New builds are right for some people. I think this board tends to attract people who are more inclined to take on a doer upper so you're not asking a neutral crowd IMO.

Thank you everyone for your input. We've decided to go for location. Although people have said we can change the house we can't realistically change the layout as such or increase the size of the garden. After giving it a lot of thought we've decided that being able to walk to work, nursery and school is more important and saves the stress of a commute everyday.

Thanks again.

I've followed the idea of buying the worst house on the best street. You can always improve but never relocate a house. It may time time and money but will pay off in the long run.