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Help me decide - panicking about potential house move

5 replies

globetrotter141 · 17/09/2018 11:09

We've lived in our current house about 5 years (renting), we are now, finally, in a position to buy. We are in a great school catchment area. Both kids are at the first school, my son will be moving up to juniors next September. We love the school and he, and I, have made some great friends.

We have had an offer accepted on a house we really like, older property with lots of character but all recently refurbished. It's about 3 miles away from where we currently live. However, secondary school catchment is quite poor and we would be highly unlikely to secure them a place in the very good secondary school we are currently in catchment for. We've seen another house, that's local and keeps us in catchment for both junior and secondary school, but it's small and I don't love it - it's a fairly functional house, nothing to particularly dislike except the size. And it's more expensive than the other property. I feel so conflicted. Wondering whether just to back out and start the search all over again.. but also we are technically first time buyers so feel that we can't expect to move into the ideal home (whether that's location or size of property) straight away and our budget is quite small for this area anyway.

Is it crazy to move into a property knowing we might have to move again in 4 years due to school catchment? FWIW I would feel terrible for backing out but I guess it's better to do it now rather than later.

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

OP posts:
LIVIA999 · 17/09/2018 14:09

Knowing how awful the whole buying and selling process is I'd probably ride it out.
How awful is the secondary school?
I guess that's why house prices are lower in the area maybe as the school isn't as popular. Saying that he isn't there for four years there is a good chance school will have improved in that time.
I wouldn't be inclined to but I house I didn't really like tbh. Maybe pull out and start looking next year?

ForgivenessIsDivine · 17/09/2018 14:11

3 miles away from your current school would be a pain... no walking , playmates difficult.

If you move, will your son still get into the Junior school?

Given your comments about secondary.. I would look locally

Magstermay · 17/09/2018 14:25

I would go for location personally, you don’t have to buy the house that’s on now though. If you don’t want your son to go to the other secondary you would be needing to move again in 3 years because of the application deadlines. By the time the purchase has completed for this one you could only be there for a couple of years and have to pay stamp duty twice (if appropriate).
There is no guarantee you’d be able to sell in 3 years depending on the market so it does all hinge on whether you can live happily in the new area.

SecretMouse · 18/09/2018 12:32

Were in a similar predicament and have decided to prioritise school catchment above all. We are looking for houses in a TINY 0.18 miles radius around our chosen school and will compromise on the type of house we buy. I can’t compromise on school. It’s taken 6 months of house hunting to come to this decision. I don’t love any of the houses I’ve seen so far but will pick one soon for applications next year.

SoyDora · 18/09/2018 12:34

In your situation I think I’d probably prioritise location and school catchment. It doesn’t matter how nice the house is if you’re all unhappy with the location.

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