Moving house

[Pajamamum]

We are moving house. I wish i could be more excited but i am worried and scared and anxious! I love our current house!! It is big and in the town and within walking distance to almost everywhere. I have so many memories in this house mainly because of my children, its where they took their first steps and said their first words etc (they are 2+5) so i get it there will be plenty more lifetime memories to make in the new house but i am a very sentimental person haha! The new house is further away. It is also alot smaller but with potential to extend and has a massive back garden which is something we have always wanted for the kids and our dogs. The only reason we are moving is for the kids, to give them more freedom to venture outside and play and be safe! The new house needs alot of modernization and the rooms are alot smaller (ive made peace with this). The driving part worries me as ive just passed my test and not particularly fond of driving. I guess i am asking for some advice or even tips for moving. Am i talking myself out of the move? Are these worries normal?

Are you committed to this move? I’m not sure it sounds like you should be.

It sounds like you'll swap one set of compromises for another but I'm not sure you'll feel happier. Being far from amenities + small rooms in exchange for a large garden doesn't sound that appealing.

Have you had a look at a range of properties in different areas? Perhaps there's somewhere with decent sized properties that's walkable to amenities? And has big gardens?

I am uncomfortable with change and it takes along time to get used to something new. I know the kids will get much enjoyment out of the outside space which is giving me something postivie to look at. There is not much going around the area that is within our price range. In fairness the new house is about 10-15mins away. Im sure if i keep at the driving i will be ok. Ill be further from my family which is also putting me off. I feel confused. One minute i think it could work and the next i am having major doubts.

10-15 mins away by car or on foot?

How far is the new house frI’m school, some basic shops etc?

Ffs it's a house teens spend like 2% of their time in a garden btw... they don't care

I'm 4 hours away from My family 🙄 10-15 minutes is genuinely nothing

10-15 by car as its off a main road so there is no foot paths. Same distance again with local shops. I know its not overly far i think im talking myself out of it because of th driving.

Blackprism- i think ive along way to go before my eldest turns into a teen saying as she is only 5! I know th time/distance is generally nothing but im very close to my family is all.

20-30mins round trip to get a pint of milk or fetch some Calpol...
TBH, I'd hate that.

It sounds like a polar opposite of your current house. Isn't there a bit more of a middle ground? A house that's within walking distance of amenties but with a good garden? (Children don't really need acres and dogs will probably need walking regardless). At least your children could hop on a bike or scooter to go places rather than need driving everywhere.

Its definetly giving me more food for thought. We dont have much outside space at all in current house. I think ill keep looking. Something is bound to come on the market soon and if not we will just have to wait. I know I'll doubt this decision too just no winning lol

You'll have to take them everywhere for years and years. I wouldn't want to be isolated and not be able to walk to the local shop or school safely.

Have you made an offer on the new house OP?

OP I have a thread running here too with cold feet before moving, however the house we have bought is very near the DC's school, local shops and our friends..we are only moving a couple of streets away from where we are now.

My anxiety is to do with the state of the house currently/the amount of work needed and generally hating change, but I have to say I don't think I'd move if the actual location/proximity to school/shops etc troubled me.