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Original poster

Downsizing from detached to terraced

149 replies

downsizing · 21/02/2021 13:19

We’re in the process of downsizing from a large 5 bed detached house to a mid terrace 1960’s townhouse that will see us become mortgage free.

I’m starting to worry we won’t be able to cope with the change particularly as we have 2 teenage DS’s coming with us.

Looking to see if anyone has positive experiences of a similar move.

OP posts:
Motnight · 22/02/2021 12:52

We live in a Victorian mid terrace. Can hear the neighbours on occasion, but not often. Am very aware though that this could change if new neighbours moved in!

Previously had awful issues with noisy neighbours, and it adversely affected our whole family. They were so loud that our floor used to vibrate at times and I once had to ask them to turn the music down as we literally couldn't hear each other in the same room!

LunaHeather · 22/02/2021 13:00

@RestingPandaFace

It is so dependent on the house, we are in a 15 year old semi and almost never hear next door. The odd stair stomp and bit of diy but honestly it’s maybe 2/3 times a week that we are even aware of them. Their DC play drums and we can watch TV through it happily.

Before that we were in a 60’s semi and never heard a peep.

Drums? OMG that's my worst nightmare 😱😱😱
LunaHeather · 22/02/2021 13:01

I've only ever lived in flat

When I go to mum's detached house, I love the quiet.

BasiliskStare · 22/02/2021 13:09

Ah well - my only point a terraced house can be very quiet. My worst nightmare would be to live somewhere more remote to be detached. You can hear noise from detached properties. But very very much each to their own.

Original poster
downsizing · 22/02/2021 13:11

Such a mixed bag of responses.

I think it’s just going to be a case of “suck it and see” and if it’s awful consider taking on a mortgage again to move back into detached.

OP posts:
LunaHeather · 22/02/2021 13:14

@downsizing

Such a mixed bag of responses.

I think it’s just going to be a case of “suck it and see” and if it’s awful consider taking on a mortgage again to move back into detached.

It might be fine!

How many bedrooms will you have?

Original poster
downsizing · 22/02/2021 13:18

We’ll have 4 bedrooms, it’s a big enough house. I’m not worried at all about the size of it other than possibly the kitchen.

My only concern is noise transmission between the houses.

OP posts:
Singlenotsingle · 22/02/2021 13:22

This is madness. Most people aspire to have the best house they can afford while the dc are still at home, then downsize after they leave. You could live to regret this, but then it will be too late.

LunaHeather · 22/02/2021 13:28

@downsizing

We’ll have 4 bedrooms, it’s a big enough house. I’m not worried at all about the size of it other than possibly the kitchen.

My only concern is noise transmission between the houses.

That's good. Hope it goes well for you.
dottiedaisee · 22/02/2021 13:32

We moved from a detached 4 bedroom house to a semi detached Edwardian house a few years ago . I can honestly say we never hear our neighbours and they are a delightful old couple . I love the fact that there is often one of the closer neighbours outside and have enjoyed a chat particularly over lockdown. It’s good to see other people. The only downside is not having off road parking...so occasionally I have to park away from our house but generally it is not a problem.

Bimblybomeyelash · 22/02/2021 13:33

I get Teds point. All these people golly goshing that they could only live in their large detached house (with utility and drive and garage etc) and could NEVER live in a terraced house. Well, I reckon that most people live in terraced homes, it’s a perfectly normal way to live. And I find it a bit offensive actually the HORROR that so many mumsnetters have at perfectly normal people leading perfectly normal lives.

PrtScn · 22/02/2021 13:40

I think you’ll regret it. I live in a mortgage free terrace. I’d give an arm and a leg to be able to afford a detached with a mortgage. I’ve had some ghastly neighbours, it really affects your mental health.

DavidsSchitt · 22/02/2021 13:42

"In all my 32 years, I’ve only ever had one noise issue"

So you're only 32 and already you've had a noise issue with abusive neighbours and music?

OP - you'll hear the neighbours, they'll also hear you.

Hadenough21 · 22/02/2021 13:47

@Bimblybomeyelash it’s not that at all, the people commenting HAVE lived in terraced houses and had bad experiences with noisy neighbours. What they’re saying is that if they’ve had the money to move to a detached then they wouldn’t choose to move back. Of course lots of people live in terraced houses, and loads will have no problem with noise. But a lot of people do and if you have then you’ll know it can really impact your life. So IF you can afford detached then that’s preferable for some people. Nothing wrong with that.

NoGoodPunsLeft · 22/02/2021 13:53

@Hadenough21 exactly!

Our old house was mid terrace, old lady one side who we never heard except her pet birds when it was very quiet, young woman on the other who played very loud music 10pm onwards, very loud sex at 4am, ruined our fence piling her crap up against it, we moved to a modest detached as soon as we could afford it because we couldn't fucking sleep! We always say we'd never go back to being attached if at all avoidable

14down · 22/02/2021 13:55

We live on a terrace and I can't hear our neighbours when they're in their house and they shout a lot. Garden is different but to be expected

anotherlongwalk · 22/02/2021 13:57

I think, as per a pp, it's not just about the noise your hear but also the noise you're likely to make, also added to the fact that you're not used to neighbour noise.

I grew up in a semi so have always had to be reasonably considerate of neighbours and also am used to neighbour noise.

My DH grew up in a detached and had never had to consider how loud he is when he's up at 6 banging around downstairs with his morning routine, or how loud the music or tele is, or even how loud to shout when watching football... or arguing with me! Grin I'm constantly having to remind him that we have neighbours. He moans that our neighbours are constantly banging (they're the kind of people who redecorate every year so feels like can always hear them sanding or banging something! I don't notice it because to me neighbour noise is white noise... but if you're not use to it you can end up becoming obsessed that you have horrible noisy neighbours, when in reality you just have neighbours!

You say you have 2 teenagers.. depending on your new neighbours your teens may have to put their music on quieter etc.

Hoppinggreen · 22/02/2021 14:02

@Bimblybomeyelash

I get Teds point. All these people golly goshing that they could only live in their large detached house (with utility and drive and garage etc) and could NEVER live in a terraced house. Well, I reckon that most people live in terraced homes, it’s a perfectly normal way to live. And I find it a bit offensive actually the HORROR that so many mumsnetters have at perfectly normal people leading perfectly normal lives.
No, I think the horror is the at the entirety voluntary choice to be attached to people who might be making noise. It’s fine if it’s what you are used to but going from nobody on the other side of your wall to potentially noisy people either side might take some adjusting to.
Hoppinggreen · 22/02/2021 14:04

And of course having to be quiet - DH plays the trombone, I doubt he would be popular in a terraced house

JammyDozen · 22/02/2021 14:08

@Hadenough21 totally agree. Being able to choose a detached house is definitely a luxury, but the op has that luxury. Yes, lots of people live in flats, etc, but many would move somewhere with less potential for neighbour disturbance if they could.

hatedbytheDailyMail · 22/02/2021 14:30

I get Teds point. All these people golly goshing that they could only live in their large detached house (with utility and drive and garage etc) and could NEVER live in a terraced house. Well, I reckon that most people live in terraced homes, it’s a perfectly normal way to live. And I find it a bit offensive actually the HORROR that so many mumsnetters have at perfectly normal people leading perfectly normal lives

Well, for another perspective, I'm in social housing with subsidised rent...in a detached house! I totally agree with all of the posters.
Sure, most people can't afford a big detached house in the country or whatever, but a huge number of them would have it if offered. No noise is better than noise, that's a given. I used to live in a terrace and hated it!

hatedbytheDailyMail · 22/02/2021 14:31

also you have to remember that some people are much more bothered by noise than others, and can't help it. The same level of neighbour noise can be fine and barely noticed by one person, yet cause another person severe distress. It's not funny and it's not their fault.

Snowwaiting · 22/02/2021 14:37

OP I’ve lived in a number of terraces and semis over the years . Our last semi was awful we could hear so much noise from next door - they were very musical! We are now in a detached house and will never risk an attached property again. This is despite previous terraces being nowhere near as noisy.

Give careful consideration as to which rooms are attached . One house we lived in had corridors attached and another our kitchens .

bigfluffydog · 22/02/2021 14:43

Definitely wouldn't do it out of choice, not with teenage children!

Space is valuable and there is time later to pay off the mortgage, particularly with interest rates so ridiculously low.

averythinline · 22/02/2021 14:56

I wouldn't move to a mid terraced....
Live in a semi ..hall's adjoining which is mainly ok...that would be my minimum..soundproofing makes rooms smaller and also costs a lot unless you are completely gutting so have to replaster anyway..

I would have small mortgage to nit be mid terrace