DH and I currently live in a small 3 bed on estate A. It's a typical new build estate commutable to London. Fairly diverse mix of people, mix of owned houses and social housing, a few shops and lots of play parks. We enjoy living here, have a good bunch of friends and it feels pretty safe. It is walking distance to a train station that goes straight into central London (important as DH will commute a few times a week when his office opens up again).
We want a bigger property as we plan to have children and also have a fair few pets. A lovely 5 bed (shall call it house 2) has come up for sale on estate A, a stones throw from our current house.
However, estate B is a 10 minute drive away and is beautiful. We have friends on this estate as well but not as many. Houses come at a premium here because the estate is smaller and more established and doesn't have any social housing. A lovely 4 bed (House 2) has come up for sale in our budget. It's smaller in every way compared to House 1, apart from it has a nice fenced front garden and a bigger back garden (more scope for extension etc). It's not as modern as House 1 and things like bathrooms and kitchen will probably need updating the next 5-7 years. Also DH would have to drive to the train station.
I really had no desire to live on estate B, I like diversity and we are happy on the less fancy estate A. But I cannot get house 2 out of my head! It has kerb appeal in bucket loads, the location is beautiful and quiet and it has more potential for extension if we felt we need it.
We don't really need a 5 bed house, but it gives us lots of flexibility with regards to having a room for the animals and a great size study for DH as well as a playroom for future children.
So what would you go for, House 1 or House 2?