Another location v house (price) question

[tinselvestsparklepants]

We're trying to decide between living rurally and moving between a few small towns which have a choice of things to do. We currently live very rurally and I adore the countryside around here but I'm sick of tractors thundering past and I'm sick of being an hour away from anything interesting!

My dilemma is that an area we have found which is great for things to do (in a triangle of things all about 15 mins away) where we could still get a house with a large garden (my ideal) is generally priced at about £150k- £200k more than the houses we could get rurally. It's known as a naice place! So rather than buying for £450k we'd be looking at £600k ish, which is a stretch.

We can afford it but we'd have to get a mortgage of about £250k which is more than hoped. We are in our mid 40s with secure (as far as we know) jobs. Half of me thinks the bigger mortgage is worth it for the new area and my other half (And my dh) isn't sure we should stretch. But I'm not sure I can do another decade of fields, and think that this expensive area would at least stay expensive so we'd not make a loss (but improvements, which this house needs, may not add much value - and it does feel very overpriced coming from where we currently live). We've got no kids to consider so just ourselves to please. Would welcome opinions. Blow the budget or be sensible?

[GiraffeNecked]

Interest rates are ridiculously low at the moment - which is what tipped us over when we did the maths - borrowing has never been cheaper and likely to stay that way.

Back of our new house - in town - is very dark when the neighbours have gone to bed and turned their lights out - can see a lot of stars still.

And if I ever want real dark skies it's only a 10 minute (nice) drive.

Being able to walk to the pub, cinema, walk past a good range of shops on way home, choice of restaurants and being able to walk home from them. It's all good.

We'll probably end up moving again in about 10 years time so I can get my much longed for view - and I would like a slightly larger garden when I retire.

[JoJoSM2]

If the house that’s come onto the market is priced to reflect the work needed, then you won’t have much to lose. You’ll pay minimal stamp duty and add value by doing work. If you change your mind about the new place, you should make money on it or at least break even unless the market really really crashes.

[tinselvestsparklepants]

Spotted another house today that went into the market yesterday. Slightly smaller by one room and garden smaller but £100k cheaper. I think they price via chicken entrails / smoke signals round here. Bonkers! Viewing booked.....

[Ariela]

Do be aware that edge of village quietness can easily be spoiled. My friend has been in her house about 25 years, it was rural, outside edge of village and very very quiet. Over the years 2 or 3 large housing estates have been built in the fields, so now instead of 2 or 3 neighbours you get the light overspill from a hundred or more windows facing her way. The bats have all but gone, the deer and the badger no longer visit, it's noisy, people walk past every day from the estates, dog poop everywhere etc.

[tinselvestsparklepants]

Yes, very aware of that. It's happening a lot round here. Thanks for the reminder though!

[tinselvestsparklepants]

....and the first house has sold before we got to view it! Ok here's hoping that our viewing tomorrow will still go ahead. Market is hot round here!