Size or location... growing family what would you do?

[Leleophants]

Moving out to the suburbs near the countryside and family (but still commuting into London for now, so our days are long). We have our first baby on the way and hope for a few more in the future. Left London as sick of noise, busy lifestyle and cramped flat. Once baby is here, I may stop commuting into London but my partner will not.

Like most things, always a compromise with the budget! Also moving is so expensive, we don't want to do it again for a looong time!

Option 1.)
PROS

• Beautiful area and views of countryside, why we moved really!
• Good schools
• A reason to come back each night!!
• Commute still just doable

CONS

• 3 bed (tiny second bedroom!) Smaller property in general.
• More car bound and longer commute
• Need an office as longer commute, but then the rooms are running out?
• No chance of extension - biggest concern! Worried we'll outgrow too quickly :(

Option 2).

PROS

• 3/4 bedroom with room to extend. Big garden! Could 'technically' live there for a long time.
• Slightly shorter commute, office space at home as more rooms.
• Area might get nicer

CONS

• Area much rougher, not sure how in love we'd feel coming back each night after a long day. :S

• Obviously we can't make the area more beautiful! Definitely no country views.

-We've moved out for a reason and concerned if we don't like the area and don't love our home.

What would you do?

As lovely as option 1 sounds I think you would outgrow it once you have more than one child.

Option 2 sounds like a great house but if the area is unpleasant it sounds too much of a compromise.

I think neither really work for you as a family and I’d keep looking.

Honestly - neither!
With a new baby / young family, I would look for somewhere with good primary school and the ability to walk to park/shop. You will be so glad of this when you have young kids!!
Then look for the house size and commute balance. I'd choose smaller house for shorter commute, especially if it had extension potential.

I’d keep looking. I think you need the first option but a four bed.

Same opinion here: keep on looking.

Personally, country views are a lovely 'nice to have' but I'd definitely compromise on those to get a bigger house. I'd never live somewhere rough, though.

Isn't there a bit of a middle ground somewhere? I think you should be able to find somewhere affordable but decent near London: safe and family friendly even if not that glam.

Where are these two areas? Is option 2 really that rough?

I think the areas could be helpful. I mean is rough an estate in Canning Town or is it just not “naice”

Option 1. Sounds like you it would work for now and for the next few years. Then I would consider moving. Don't try and guess what you will need forever, things change.

Definitely keep looking. Neither house sounds right. I know there's always a compromise somewhere but when looking to start a family overall house size and location are actually two areas which are really important. If there was a gun to your head I'd go for option 1.

I'd probably rent for a bit in your situation. Neither of those options sounds ideal and renting would give you a chance to get to know an area properly while on Mat leave.

Between the budget and the London commute, there are so many things to consider. You might find it helpful doing a search on this website which can take both those factors into account, as well as other location amenities (e.g. must be close to green space) - it may unearth a better option C for you?

OP - you need to keep looking. There was a poster on this week who bought in an area she doesn't like as it was a bigger house and now she hates it. So keep looking.

Location every time. As long as you can make it bigger.

@househunter19 I’ve just tried the app again and for the first time ever I managed to actually get a result in my area.
Perhaps you could make the app a bit more specific? Eg how do you define ‘close to public transport’. It’s also be good to have a choice of ok with a flat or need a detached, garage, parking etc