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Original poster

Location over size?

19 replies

ItsElmosWorld · 02/07/2019 21:23

Would you buy a house that was a stones throw from a good school, but considerably smaller than the house you currently live in?

OP posts:
Zarara · 02/07/2019 22:17

Depends how old are the children and how much smaller is the house?

MountainPeakGeek · 02/07/2019 22:20

Impossible to answer without more information.

PlatypusPie · 02/07/2019 22:22

Yes, we stayed in a smaller house that was in the catchment for an excellent school rather than move a bit for a bigger, more affordable house that would’ve been in the catchment for a failing school. London. It was not a hard decision and not one that we have ever regretted.

Upfeet · 02/07/2019 22:28

Depends on far away from school, work, family, friends and amenities the house you currently live in is and how much of a difference in size between the 2 houses there is.

AllBirthdaysMatter · 02/07/2019 22:38

I would.

Our first criteria for our current house were the right schools and commute to London. We didn't get that much for our money - the schools are excellent, but we can always move when the kids have finished.

I wouldn't have moved into a studio flat, but a much smaller house is what we have.

JoJoSM2 · 02/07/2019 23:09

What school are you in the catchment for now and how much better is this school? Have you compared Ofsted reports, progress scores, attainment and been round to see how they feel and what else is on offer? (Eg clubs, sports etc, wrap around care etc).

LoveMyNewHome · 03/07/2019 02:44

Bought a house that was a lot smaller than my old house & far too small for my family, but a LOT more expensive in order to get into the right school. Lived there for almost 8 years & only this year, now the DC have finished college, we finally moved to a house twice the size! Grin

mum2015 · 03/07/2019 08:08

Yes for secondary. Depends how much is size compromise for primary. Still prefer not next to it for noise and parking issues.

CrumpetyTea · 03/07/2019 08:13

Would you need to stay there all the time the children are in school or just when first one starts?

MrsMoastyToasty · 03/07/2019 08:16

For me it would depend on whether there is the possibility of extending the property.

Finfintytint · 03/07/2019 08:16

We moved from a six bed to a two bed to be in a desirable village ( school catchment not an issue for us anymore).
For me it is about the location. Still a very pretty cottage but with fewer rooms!

Original poster
ItsElmosWorld · 03/07/2019 11:09

Children are 5, 6 and 3. Older two already attend the school.
I live about a 10 minute walk from it atm, currently renting but wanting to buy. Obviously can't move too far as I want to get my youngest in the same school.
The house for sale is one road away from the school. Upstairs is ok but the downstairs is considerably smaller than what we're in atm. Teeny tiny kitchen, much smaller lounge. I would have to get rid of my sofas. Potential to extend.
The garden is also very... well, not private. Tiny fences.
The garden we have now is completely private.
Really not sure. Seems daft to downsize when we feel the house we're already in feels a tad too small. But the bigger houses round here go for big money so there's not much chance of us affording one unless one comes on the market at a decent price.

OP posts:
ForestDad · 03/07/2019 11:11

Why not just stay in rental in catchment then move wherever you like within drop off distance after that?

JoJoSM2 · 03/07/2019 11:34

Don't they have sibling priority at the school?

I'd much rather own then rent forever so I'd buy even if all you can afford is a smaller house. Once you've been paying your own mortgage for a few years instead of rent, you may be able to upsize.

Original poster
ItsElmosWorld · 03/07/2019 11:44

There is sibling priority but only after allocating on location. It's a very oversubscribed school.
I agree about buying being better than renting. It's just dead money atm.
Can't stay here anyway, landlord is selling (and it's out of our price range, I've tried! 😭)
I don't drive so moving further afield once my youngest has a place isn't an option.

We could extend... but that's more money again and a lot of upheaval.

OP posts:
JoJoSM2 · 03/07/2019 12:19

Frankly, it sounds great that there's a house in your budget near a very desirable school. :)

jackparlabane · 03/07/2019 12:36

One more year, then move nearby after dc3 is in, as Brexit will probably have hammered house prices further?

Honeyroar · 03/07/2019 17:25

Would you have enough bedrooms? Be able to fit sofas in big enough for you all to sit on in the living room? Be able to make the garden more private (higher fences or plants)?

I'd rather own a smaller house than rent a bigger one if I could. The nicer area is an added bonus.

Original poster
ItsElmosWorld · 03/07/2019 21:22

Yes to all your questions @Honeyroar although I'm not sure where we'd stand on the garden fences (are you always allowed to just make them bigger?)
I like your point about owning a smaller house rather than renting a bigger one though 🤔
The area isn't 'nicer' though, it's just closer to the school. I currently live on the other side where houses go for big money.

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