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Property/DIY

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Original poster

Location v Size

15 replies

Countrysidegirl · 08/12/2018 20:03

After some MN wisdom...

We currently live in a 2,500 sq/ft house with 1/4 acre garden. We've been here 2 years and have spent a lot of time and energy trying to make it habitable. But it still needs a lot of work. My husband is unwell and realistically we need to downsize to reduce our mortgage (it's a stretch for us), get a house which needs no work and move closer to his work as he's commuting 1.5 hours each way. We would like to live in a village and be near good schools. However its a desirable area and our new budget means we're likely to get a house which is 1,200 sq/ft. 3 instead of 4 bedrooms, 2 instead of 3 reception rooms and a much smaller garden. I've found a place in the right area which needs no work but I'm worried if we'd regret the loss of space. DCs are 5y & 3y. Has anyone done this? How did it go?

OP posts:

GemmeFatale · 08/12/2018 20:23

Not quite the same scenario but when we moved countries (US to UK) we downsized from a large four bed place to a smaller three bed.

I would, in an ideal world, like a bigger master bedroom and maybe a bit more kitchen or a separate utility space. Husband misses having a large attached garage/workshop space. But overall we are happier. I didn’t realise how much effort it was to keep clean. I hate that we kept clutter ‘just in case’ because it fit in the house. Location wise this is better for us (not so reliant on having two cars so we don’t). We can walk to do a shop, have lunch at a cafe or a drink in the pub.

We have discussed moving again, and we might at some point. But that big house taught me I don’t want a big place. It’s just too much cleaning and maintenance.

I say go for it. You can always move again when the kids are older if you want to.

Original poster

Countrysidegirl · 08/12/2018 20:44

@gemmefatale I know what you mean. We can't afford a gardener or cleaner so it's a constant battle keeping on top of everything plus the DIY! It feels like the whole place is a chore and it would be nice not to feel like that! Yup a mega declutter would be needed too....

OP posts:

another20 · 08/12/2018 22:12

Go for it. Life is too short to be managing "stuff" - downsize to take out the stress and give yourselves more time to live an easier higher quality life. Kids have less toys and clutter as they get older past age 7 or so. Is there the option to end out or up or build a garden office / shed etc down the line if you needed to?

RollerJed · 09/12/2018 00:52

Absolutely move. I was just saying this yesterday that our house was such a size that it took me 30 mins to vacuum, dust and deep clean the bathroom twice a week.

A friend had a much larger house and it took her days to clean from top to bottom.

We are moving to a slighted bigger house than our last but cleaning and upkeep should still be minimal.

BalthazarsAThirstyBitch · 09/12/2018 07:56

Perspective from when I was a child; I grew up in larger homes (between 2-3,00.00) the happiest home for me was the last one which was 1,000sqft at most.
I liked this one the best as I felt more connected to my family, in the bigger homes we all had our own spaces, apart from the odd mealtime we didn’t spend a lot of time together inside really, in the smaller house with just a sitting room and kitchen/diner we spent more time together and enjoyed each others company far more.

I think it’s very easy to get caught up in what we think we should have and doubt what would actually be best for us as individuals or as a family.

Workreturner · 09/12/2018 08:01

Does it have to be quite such an extreme change? Somewhere around the 1500 mark perhaps?

SushiMonster · 09/12/2018 10:25

If you can’t afford to live in the lovely big house, and your DH is sick, and has a massive commute - you don’t really have an option do you?

namechangedtoday15 · 09/12/2018 10:35

What Sushi says. Move.

The children will value time with their dad (which won't be lost by the commute or DIY) far more than a bigger garden / 3rd reception room etc.

greenberet · 09/12/2018 10:41

I would move to a smaller house - your dc will be fine - the stress of having to keep up financially, plus your DH being ill and the time and energy needed to keep on top of a large house - is it worth it? Sometimes radical life changes although scary can turn out for the best - and I’m talking from experience - give yourself a break and spend time with your kids and DH rather than cleaning or DIY - no one knows what’s round the corner x

lll77 · 09/12/2018 10:41

I'd move too.Financial pressures are horrible to live with and if your husband is ill they are extra worries you could do without.

A three bed two reception room place will still give you plenty of space for your family and a reduced commute for your husband will mean you have more time together. Good luck with the move

NotCitrus · 09/12/2018 11:06

The 3-bed still gives you a bedroom for each child and one for you and DH. Two receptions should be plenty - what do you do with the other bedroom and 3rd reception at the moment? Downsizing and maybe getting a quality sofa bed for guests sounds like a good idea.

grasspigeons · 09/12/2018 11:15

it will be hard but you have to focus on the positives of less commute and being able to afford to live which far outweigh space.

People I know that have downsized said to factor in things like buying new furniture as sometimes the table that fitted in the big dining room, doesn't fit in the kitchen diner for instance.

I also think they are good ages for beginning to have so much less stuff and the stuff they have being smaller.

Original poster

Countrysidegirl · 09/12/2018 13:17

Thank you everyone. It's hard to see the end result with hubby being so poorly at moment.

We use the 3rd reception room as a playroom currently and the spare room for family visiting as they are not local. We also have a workshop that DH would have to get used to not having but with no DIY I think that's no essential! There's still a garage!

I talked to the children and said their toys would have to be in their rooms and they would have a much smaller garden but they didn't seem bothered!

Yes I've realised we'd need to budget for new furniture and will need to get rid of some along with a fair bit of clutter!

OP posts:

triwarrior · 09/12/2018 13:28

Definitely move. We downsized two years ago from 4,800 sq. ft. to 2,400 sq. ft. and it was the best thing we ever did. Apart from the fact that we have so much less cleaning, etc. I feel that we are happier as a family by living closer together. Each of our children seemed to have their own "wing" of our old house and I hated that we seemed so separate. I love our new place (although I would still kill to have a room to myself for me and my books 😄)

PurpleFlowersInMyHair · 11/12/2018 08:44

1200 sq ft is a fairly large 3 bed house where I live- is be very happy with this. We’re in a 950 sq ft 3 bed and it’s absolutely fine. You just need decent storage, a commitment not to hoard and keep on top of the tidying. A smaller house is easier to tidy and clean. Family life is better when you’re closer together imo. My nephews have a playroom (now den) they spend hardly any time with us when we go around- they never watch tv or just hang with their parents - unless they go for a day out- which I find quite sad. It’s not just because they are teens- it’s been like this since they were little. I’ve decided against a bigger house because I don’t want this to happen to my family.

Location is everything in my book.

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