New vs period property

[mamaduckbone]

I'm looking for a bit of insight if anyone has moved from a period property to a new (or nearly new) build.

We're selling our Victorian terrace as we need more space, and for our budget by far the best move would be to a newish house.

We completely gutted our present house and did all the work ourselves, then when ds2 came along we had the loft converted - it's exactly how we've chosen to make it and I love it. I absolutely know we couldn't cope with that kind of project again but the only way we'll get a period property where we want to live for the budget we've got is if we buy a doer-upper.

So, we've looked at various newer houses which we wouldn't have to do anything much with, which have the space we need and it should be a no brainier. But I just feel like it isn't 'us' and we'll feel like fish out of water on a new estate.

I suppose I just want to know if anyone has done this and was it a terrible mistake or did you adjust to the different feel?

We've moved a few times over the years. Both of us fantasise about a new build but in practice we always buy a wreck. I always think if we moved I to somewhere done by someone else I'd want to undo it and make it our own which would be a waste of money. Some friends moved from a beautiful Georgian house to a neo-Geo and it took the wife a long long time to settle but I think she's happy now.

I did although to one of two new builds so not an estate. I never settled in it, I missed my old place and one of the benefits (or so I thought!) was that new place would be easier to clean. It wasn't. It was just as dusty.

Plus side though. We sold it on 5 years later and made a great profit.

I lived in a period house and while beautiful, I hated the practicalities, e.g. Poor insulation, drafty floorboards single glazed original windows, living over 3 levels, narrow plot etc. S of horses for courses. In your case, you'd probably be much happier with a period fixer upper.

I'm pretty certain I'd be happier in a period property but can't face the prospect of the mess and work - I also think ds1 (14) would up sticks and move out if we expected him to go and live in a wreck!

Dh is veering towards new as well for less maintenance and just for a change...I'm feeling a bit outnumbered at present .

We just need another £150k to buy a period property in our ideal location where someone else has already done the hard work...

We recently sold our period house and moved to a 20 year old one. A practical choice for us, getting older and not wanting all the maintenance both inside and outside with the big garden. However we knew an estate would be a step too far for us and managed to find a lovely house with a non-overlooked small garden which isn't on an estate. It is on a road though, which wouldn't suit some people. We're happy here. So many fond memories of our other house, but we did so many improvements, new electrics, central heating, windows, plumbing etc. etc. we couldn't face that again anyway. Our heart wouldn't have been in it. Financially we did well, while not strictly downsizing as we have a four bed detached we made a good profit from our period house, a nice cushion towards our old age! I think you'll know when you go viewing houses what is right for you. Head or heart or hopefully a combination of both - hope you find something lovely whatever age it is!

That's the other thing Lizzie... I wonder if I could do it for 5 years or so whilst space is the most important factor (with bikes, rugby kits, PlayStations, friends etc etc...) then move again when dcs are a bit older.
I wanted this move to be our 'forever home' vomit but it just isn't working right now - all that's on the market is either new or a wreck.

Moved from a Victorian villa to a new build. I do miss my beautiful old home and the new one will never look so good no matter how much I spend. But - I don’t have to worry about the roof, the electrics , the boiler. It’s a much nicer , and warmer, house to actually live in. My ds much prefer it. There is lots of storage space and it’s easy to clean . But I am still very jealous of friends in period properties.

Moved from a lovely Victorian terrace which I loved to 1950's semi as we needed the space with 2 kids. I miss the features, and atmosphere of the house but I am happy here. There is a little work to do but I have always known this isn't forever. Once the kids have left I can but with my heart not my head.

We moved from a Georgian grade two listed house to a Victorian terrace and then to a two year old house. We left behind mice, plaster that crumbled every time we tried to fix something to the wall, draughty windows noisy plumbing. We loved having a low maintenance home that we didn't have to constantly spend money and time on. We loved it so much that we have just bought a brand new house. I'm so over period properties now we have children! Life is too short to spend it doing DIY!

All your comments are really interesting. Everyone we know will be really shocked if we buy a shiny new build, but it's so tempting to just be able to move in and maybe slop a bit of paint around, even if it might seem like we've sold our souls a bit.

The mistake we've made is staying in this house too long. I'm so emotionally attached to it, moving will be such a wrench even though it's the right thing to do.

We moved from an Edwardian terrace to a 2 year old property. We had a toddler, and it was perfect for not having to do anything to it. But after 13 years, we've just moved out to a period property (which doesn't need anything immediately done - we can do it when time (and finances) allow. I've always lived in old houses, and I'm so glad to be back in one, it felt like home immediately. However, I have to admit to being slightly nervous about energy inefficiencies, and potential roofs needing replacing etc etc

If the price differential is £150k, could you possibly rent temporarily while the new wreck is done up? Hopefully you can find somewhere that doesn't need months and months of work, so it would only be for a sdhort time, and then you'd have the house you wanted?

Yes, we went newish house, period house, period house, brand new house, period house, which is our current house,

I was fine in the new houses, they have their benefits in terms of efficiency etc, but seldom can look as stunning as a good period property with its features intact. I can't say I love them though and do gravitate to older properties.

No option of renting really - apart from the upheaval, can't afford to pay for rent, mortgage on new property and renovation costs.
Our buyer is getting stroppy, but that's tough - we were very upfront about the fact that we hadn't found anywhere yet.