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Original poster

Detached vs Semi detached

77 replies

Finsburyman · 15/12/2020 22:53

Hi all, We are about to purchase a new house to the south of London and I am really struggle with our two choices. I think we would purchase one of the two properties for sure. Both houses require alot of work / modernisation and we plan to extend both in the same way with side and rear extension. Both have an existing garage that I plan to convert to a side extension.

Detached house - 1930s, 3 beds two large reception larger rooms, smaller garden at 80 feet, Price £550k

Semi detached - 1930s, 3 beds, one long but narrower joint reception, smaller rooms, larger garden at 150 feet. Larger plot in general. Slightly nicer road. Price £520k.

We are really torn about which one to go for as they are both near stations, outstanding schools. Is it worth going for a smaller plot but detached house?

Which one would you go for?

OP posts:
jackstini · 15/12/2020 23:01

Detached. Every time
You never know what the neighbours will be like, you spend more time inside than out so more reception space is good and 90' is still a really good garden

Any difference in schools/commuting etc?

LightDrizzle · 15/12/2020 23:02

Detached. Otherwise you are at the mercy of whoever might move next door.

Bad neighbours can make your life hell.
Also if you have a crying baby/vocal puppy/ musical instrument at any point, it’s a lot less stressful not having to worry about whether you are annoying your neighbours.

The larger reception rooms are a big plus, and beyond a certain size, additional garden has little value for me. I want sun and shade and room to eat and have some perennials and culinary herbs. I’m not a keen gardener though.

NotABeliever · 15/12/2020 23:02

It's a tough one! I guess it depends on what sort of neighbours you end up with in the semi detached which is not something you can assess easily beforehand! My tendency would.be to go with the semi detached because it's a larger plot and in a slightly nicer road. Also 30 k cheaper. Good luck whatever you decide!

Icantfindausername · 15/12/2020 23:02

Personally I would go for the bigger house and plot.

DramaAlpaca · 15/12/2020 23:02

Detached, without a doubt.

CoronaIsWatching · 15/12/2020 23:02

Detached. Don't like semi's, in fact I'd rather a terrace than a semi.

Icantfindausername · 15/12/2020 23:02

It wouldn't matte your me if it was semi or detached. Sometimes the semis are bigger than detached.

AntiHop · 15/12/2020 23:04

I'd give my right arm to live in a detached house.

BackforGood · 15/12/2020 23:06

Detatched

80 foot is hardly a 'small' garden

24hrpantypeople · 15/12/2020 23:10

The first one, not because it's detached but it sounds like a better house. The rooms are bigger and you have more reception space. Also, 80ft is a big garden.

SupposeItCouldBeMe · 15/12/2020 23:25

Detached, plus more reception space. We had good neighbours in last semi but much l ss of an issue/concern now in detached. No annoying noises either!

boltingthestabledoortolate · 15/12/2020 23:27

I've had detached, semi - detached, and terraced ,
We are moving and my main looking criteria is detached - says it all really !

PickAChew · 15/12/2020 23:32

The most neighbour problems I've ever had were in a detached house. Sometimes non-linked neighbours can be a bigger problem.

If the detached house meets your needs best, go for it. If the semi meets your needs best, go for that. I'd choose based on the house now, in case things go tits up.

IHeartNiles · 15/12/2020 23:34

Depends what you mean by “slightly nicer road”?

SlopesOff · 15/12/2020 23:36

@BackforGood

Detatched

80 foot is hardly a 'small' garden

It is when you have had a big garden before. However, detached is better but if the houses are close with just a narrow space between you still hear noises, our neighbour slams the toilet down every time and the other side run through the hallway like a herd of elephants.
Pipandmum · 15/12/2020 23:38

Detached. 80' garden is big enough and how much garden do you need?
You can have problem neighbours even with detached houses, but at least you don't have to share a wall with them.

Original poster
Finsburyman · 15/12/2020 23:38

@jackstini

Detached. Every time You never know what the neighbours will be like, you spend more time inside than out so more reception space is good and 90' is still a really good garden

Any difference in schools/commuting etc?

Thank you all for your comments so far. The semi detached is slightly closer to the station for our commute - 10 minutes walk.

The detached house is 16 minutes walk to the station.

I would add photos but since I am new can't really add the floor plans for more context.

OP posts:
josben · 15/12/2020 23:39

Always detached

Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel · 15/12/2020 23:41

Detached. No question. There's nothing like it. Ours is a very very old detached in a large plot and we don't hear a sound .

Original poster
Finsburyman · 15/12/2020 23:43

I forgot to mention, the detached house is inches from a neighbour on one side and about 2 foot from the other neighbour's house. So I am not sure whether it is worth it to get that kind of detached and forgo a much bigger garden.

OP posts:
PickAChew · 15/12/2020 23:43

6 minutes is nothing. 16 minutes, I'd be thinking harder.

Frenchdressing · 15/12/2020 23:44

Detached. I live in a semi. My neighbours are annoying. And noisy.

Frenchdressing · 15/12/2020 23:44

@Finsburyman

I forgot to mention, the detached house is inches from a neighbour on one side and about 2 foot from the other neighbour's house. So I am not sure whether it is worth it to get that kind of detached and forgo a much bigger garden.
You’re still not sharing a wall though.
NewHouseNewMe · 15/12/2020 23:56

Detached.
There's a reason that there is a price cap on semis in most areas compared to detached. Even if you don't mind either way, future buyers will.

DonttouchthatLarry · 16/12/2020 00:00

We sold a semi and moved to a detached when the neighbours complained about our dogs barking - would never buy a semi again. We also like films on with the surround sound floor shakingly loud Grin