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Original poster

Is a garden important?

32 replies

cooperbug · 26/07/2020 22:39

We have seen a house we really like but it doesn't have a garden. It dies have quite a large outdoor terrace with bifolds that open out into it but no grass area.

We have two young children and currently have a garden for them to play which is not massive but it’s green and they can run around a bit.

Is not having a garden too much of a compromise to take and would we struggle to sell a house on without a garden in the future? The house itself is perfect for us.

OP posts:
Original poster
cooperbug · 26/07/2020 22:41

Does not dies!

OP posts:
Lavendersquare · 26/07/2020 22:42

I think if you have children you do need a garden for them to play in, it doesn't need to necessarily be grass but it does need enough room to play. If you've got a garden at the moment I think you'll find just having a terrace a difficult compromise.

askmehowiknow · 26/07/2020 22:42

Depends on the age. But when younger yes massively

catchyjem · 26/07/2020 22:43

Is the terrace big enough for them to run around and play on?

ShyTown · 26/07/2020 22:46

I’d be ok with that if the terrace is a good size and you have parks/open spaces within a short walk. In addition to seating for 4 we currently have a water table set up on ours and have previously had a small slide. Selfishly we’ve always prioritised city centre living over a proper garden and I don’t think it’s doing 3YO DD any damage!

ShyTown · 26/07/2020 22:48

Also whether or not you’ll sell it on ok would likely depends on whether the outside space is the expected norm for the area, or whether that sort of price in that area would normally get you a garden and it’s a case of the house being over extended for the plot.

ILiveInSalemsLot · 26/07/2020 22:49

Whatever suits you. Personally, I think a garden is really important. Not just for dcs to play in but for me to sit and relax in too.
I’ve been so thankful to have a garden when we were in lockdown and I was too busy to take dcs out.

madcatladyforever · 26/07/2020 22:51

My sister has two young children and bought a house with no garden and regretted it massively. The children were bored stupid with no outside space and they were not near a park.

QuiltingFlower · 26/07/2020 22:54

Yes

Codexdivinchi · 26/07/2020 22:54

For me it’s really important. It’s basically another area I can escape to when inside is manic. I get a lot of comfort out of my garden but I know I’m odd Grin

Northernsoullover · 26/07/2020 22:55

I never had child friendly gardens but we had outside space which we used creatively. So sand and water table, playmats. My sister only has a balcony which they used similarly (under watchful eyes). It wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me.

Mychitchatdays · 26/07/2020 23:03

Realistically we have a large terrace only. It suits me as I hate gardening and I open my gate to acres and acres of green which I don't have to maintain!

CostaCosta · 26/07/2020 23:06

We bought in a desirable area and got a house with a small garden. We compensate with regular trips to the park

JW13 · 26/07/2020 23:13

I think this 100% depends on location/the local area. If it's central in a city where people are willing to sacrifice outdoor space for the central location and there are big communal spaces (parks/shared gardens) nearby then it's not a real problem. I know several people who grew up/are raising children in mansion block flats with small terraces in zone 1 London.

However, if you're in a less urban area where most houses have gardens then I think it will impact your ability to resell as families will be less interested. I'm in zone 2 London and I wouldn't consider a house without a garden despite having a big park nearby.

Lindy2 · 26/07/2020 23:14

My garden is pretty vital to me and my children. I would regard it as an essential in a property but not everyone feels the same. Some people would be happy with access to other outdoor spaces but not necessarily a garden.

AriettyHomily · 26/07/2020 23:14

I wouldn't begin to consider a house without a garden.

Mmmmycorona · 26/07/2020 23:22

For me, yes! Without a shadow of a doubt.

niki26 · 27/07/2020 10:12

I have a 4 year old and another on the way - we have looked at some lovely properties but the garden hasn't been big enough in our opinion! We all use the garden a lot!

We live 20 mins walk from a lovely big park but I disagree when people say that means we don't need a garden - I can't pop to the park in my pjs whilst daughter is in bed to enjoy my morning cup of coffee! And can't leave her by herself in the park whilst I have a tidy up in the kitchen!

Tubbyinthehottub · 27/07/2020 10:19

I also think it depends where you are. London maybe not or if you are very close to a big city. I live in a suburban area so most people have a garden. I've found as I've got older that green space has become more and more important to me. I crave the countryside a bit for weekends and holidays and feel like I just want to see prettiness and green. I've lived and worked in cities/urban areas for most of my life.

LordOftheRingz · 27/07/2020 10:20

Look at the threads over lock-down from people who had no gardens.

ChicCroissant · 27/07/2020 10:25

There is a world of difference between opening the door to go outside to play, and going out to a park IMO - I prefer just opening the door!

I appreciate that not everyone has a garden and if you have never had one, you won't miss it. Families are generally looking for outdoor space IME so I do think it would affect the resale value of the house (and make it harder to sell).

I'm going to guess that the house is quite cheap for the size of it, which is what is attractive about it at the moment?

thegcatsmother · 27/07/2020 11:10

We deliberately bought a house with patios as we don't like gardening. We live in a village with a play park and other green space. It didn't worry ds not having a garden growing up, as there were play areas and extensive grounds at his school.

I like planting up pots etc, but mowing the lawn and weeding doesn't it for me.

JoJoSM2 · 27/07/2020 11:17

I can't pop to the park in my pjs whilst daughter is in bed to enjoy my morning cup of coffee! And can't leave her by herself in the park whilst I have a tidy up in the kitchen!

Exactly. However, if the terrace is large and you can create the adult and child areas you need than I can’t see why you’d need grass. And if you want a genuinely large garden then you probably wouldn’t even have viewed this property.

BarbedBloom · 27/07/2020 15:52

I would never buy a house without one, but I love gardening. It is worth considering how much your kids use it at the moment and whether most other places in the area have gardens as if so, it could be harder to sell later

FlamedToACrisp · 27/07/2020 16:12

I hate gardening, but I'd never buy a house without one - especially a family-size house. For one thing, it would be hard to sell on, and for another, without any garden space, a lot of the house's potential is already maximised, so you can't invest and extend if you want to. Also, you may think you don't need a garden now, but your life might change. Is there a storage shed for outdoor chairs, etc? Does the front of the house have any outdoor space?