Location or house size?

[boymum9]

After a good search I know this has been asked so many times! But hoping to get more insight and whether more specifics may give me a better idea of what people would do!

As title says, we are stuck on a decision of location v house.

The decision is stay in current location and find a house (yet to come up! But occasionally do) that will be a smaller, likely 1400-1600 sq ft Georgian/Victorian terrace, probably only 3 bedrooms but could be lucky to have a small 4th, no parking and small garden but we adore the location, we've lived here 10 years and are v happy, love being able to walk around this area, nice shops, cafes, restaurants. Outstanding primary school in catchment, secondary school not an issue. Would be very top of our budget, no room probably to do any serious works initially.

OR

we have an offer accepted on a semi in an area only 1.7 miles away, the vendor has been messing us around a little and dragging it out for so long we're now unsure of our decision but now need to make a choice by tomorrow morning!
Area is OK, it's still considered a good area but less lively, less nice shops and restaurants but some nice cafes, quick walk to a nice park, "good" primary school. House is well under budget and we could do a nice extension out the back and a loft conversion and have 5 good sized bedrooms (family all live far away and would be nice to have this, currently in 2 bed flat no one can stay at!!) parking and a garage, bigger garden but not HUGE, closer to a main Rd.

We have two young dc's yet to start school and a dog.

I feel like I'd rather have the location but although dh feels the same about the location he'd rather have the bigger house, which I of course understand, but my day to day life v much consists of walking around our current area quite a bit which I love!

Opinions?! Thank you!

I also think bigger house. If it means your family can come to stay, then that could make real lasting memories for your kids and involve them in your life more. Assuming you want this to happen(!) then bigger house.

Also - a bird in the hand!!

You have an offer accepted on this house. You haven't actually found another house in the other location.

Go for it!

I know Clifton as DD was a student in Bristol and lived in Clifton. It’s utterly great. I would live there! The Lido is wonderful and The Arches deli. Everything you want except Parking which I remember was an issue. However, I would stay!

Location without a doubt!!!!

Bigger house.

It's only 1.7 miles away from your preferred shops and restaurants. Are there footpaths and is it safe to walk there? If so, you'd have to visit the shops and restaurants very frequently to make it worth your while to have a smaller house with a smaller garden at a bigger cost and after a longer wait.

Walking is good for you and a less than 3.5 miles round trip will seem like nothing once you've done it a few times.
And you aren't choosing between a great location and a shit location. You are choosing between a great location and a good location.

I’d usually always go with smaller house/better location and love Clifton (we need to do the Clifton part of Gromit trail still before holidays finish) but actually Westbury is so close and a great family friendly area so I’m not much help!!

Thanks so much for everyone's replies! We decided to pull out of the house and wait on something to come up in the area we really want! We will be renting in the meantime as have already sold our place so plus side we'll be in a good position! Location won!