We are just finishing off a house extension/renovation that was a stressful 2 years with builder running off, living in a mess for far too long etc. We have build a rather large house (really too big for a family of 4) with a massive (and hard to look after) garden. We've done it all perfect for us, designed it to every single detail, as it was meant to be a home for long years we could sell when the children have grown up to help them to get some equity etc.
The problem is: the city we live in is not nice. Despite us being on a nice street in it, I hate the feel of the centre, the lack of shopping facilities, the people and being a minority here.
We've changed schools foe our children last year as our local secondary school is not good at all, the though of sending my children there scared me, especially after hearing about older kids selling drugs in the alleyways etc.
We've put an offer down on a house in a city that I've always liked. The house is in a crowded estate, in the catchment of a very good school. Our current budget in that area only allowed us to buy this house. It's a bit dated, the garden doesn't compare , neither does the house but I know it's doable.
In this area I feel a lot better about the children going to the school on their own/with friends, it has a lot more to offer in terms of shopping and culture. Also the demographics of the area is much more of what we're looking for.
But my heart is bleeding for the lovely house we're leaving behind.
(And also for the fact that I know the local market and how everything that we like about it - decor and feel-wise will be ripped out. I'm quite environmentally conscious.)
Please can anyone who have had to make a similar decision in the past share their positive stories on why they didn't regret making a change like this?