Which house would you buy?

[Laineymc7]

House 1
Always in catchment for the two best local schools. Our children would definitely get in.
It’s considerably cheaper than house 2 and it’s lovely inside. Monthly outgoing would be less.
In good condition and doesn’t need much work. Happy with the house.
Downsides - Road is a cut through road and can be busy at peak times but it’s not a main road. The house next door is a wreck and the garden is a dumping ground. It’s also has a conservatory extension which they started and didn’t finish. It’s a single older person that lives there and is supposedly really nice and no issues with them. Sellers have been there a very long time so no issues. It’s walking distance to the school. But not near a station so we’d need to buy another car so we can both get to work.
North facing garden.
Re sale as the neighbours property may put people off. Hopefully like us People would buy because of the schools.
We would sell up after about 5 years so wouldn’t be a forever home. We’d then have moving costs and stamp duty again. But I guess we’d be certain of a good education for the kids. We could but our forever home after that.

House 2
Beautiful leafy quiet road near green area. Nicer area.
Same size of house as house 1. Stunning south facing established garden, very tranquil. Nice calm area doesn’t Feel like London. Would be a forever home. 5 min walk to station.
Downsides
More expensive so higher outgoings. it was in the catchment for the schools last year but not the year before. There is a chance we could not get in to the two best ones. (This is my main worry). Also not walking distance to the school we’d have to drive, it’s a short drive.
Inside of the house isn’t as nice as house 1 and needs more work. Its immaculate though and very well looked after. The work is only cosmetic. No building/structural work. This could be done over time so wouldn’t have to be done straight away.

I’m so undecided and keep going between both options.

If anyone asks apologies in advance but I’m not posting the houses.

House 2, the forever home. It really comes across in your post how much better for you it will be, and will probably cost you less in the long run as you will save not having to move twice.

The downsides of House 1 seemed to far outweigh any positives to me, especially the busy road and north facing garden which will be dismal in the winter and it's not near a station so you'll need an extra car.

House 2.
The neighbours would put me off. We cancelled a viewing when we were looking to buy because the house/garden next door was a tip.
Cba to move after 5 years. Plus the costs.

I haven’t looked around the schools yet. There are 4 in the catchment and the ofsteds were all either outstanding or good. There just seems to be two that’s more favourable and sought after. I’m sure the other schools would be decent enough. Thanks for all your advice. I really did love the garden and area of house two you weren’t overlooked at all. It is true that schools can change over time so what’s outstanding now may not be in 5 years. I’m going to try and visit them if they will allow it before September. Thanks for all the advice/ views it really is helpful.

I would rather a good school over an outstanding one so I’d go house 2!

Would not even consider house one, nothing more depressing than a dump of a house next door, your heart will sink everytime you walk up to your front door, no matter how gorgeous a house was if the house next door was a tip I would not buy it so you are probably narrowing your market of potential buyers when you come to sell (and next door will keep on deteriorating further as the years go buy). Buy your forever home now it will be far cheaper in the long run.