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Original poster

Move or not WWYD

36 replies

Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 22:28

Hi, just trying to decide whether to move house or not, so WWYD?

DH, myself and 2 DC 6&8 live in a nice terraced house. 3 bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, not pokey. The kids have about 5 good friends on the same street. The doorbell is constantly ringing all the kids are running in and out, and we are really friendly with their parents and everyone in general. It's a nice community. When we moved here 3 years ago we though we absolutely love it and never want to leave.

But then covid happened. I've been working from home and DH lost his job and has started an online retail business that requires holding onto stock. Suddenly our house seems too small. There's not enough storage and I have no office. Garden is small too. I'm stuck working in the lounge for the foreseeable future and it's really hard to concentrate.

A detached house has come up for sale near us, with an extra bedroom and loads of storage. We are currently mortgage free, and moving would mean a 100k mortgage. But, the kids could stay in the same school, it has a big garden, could get a trampoline etc.. But the kids would be further from their good friends, no idea what kind of vibe it would be living there. Our current house has interesting features, it's quite attractive, whereas the detached one is not too special.

So.. WWYD?

OP posts:
PickAChew · 29/03/2021 22:32

It would depend how permanent the situation with your dp's business is. Would renting some premises be a better way of getting your home back?

Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 22:35

Renting premises would just be another cost we are not too keen on. The business is still in its early stages, so wouldn't be justified..

OP posts:
Ladyof · 29/03/2021 22:40

You sound in a similar position to me. We have decided to go to a detached and bigger house as the children are nearly needs now and also I want a bigger kitchen and garden for entertaining. My garden isnt great and no dining room just kitchen and lounge.

I weighed it up over months and 8 months ago decided to go for it but cant find anything we like argh. Write pros and cons and go from there. Property investment is always good and a detached, certainly in my area sell really well.

Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 22:47

@Ladyof that's what I'm also worried about. Not finding anything in this catchment if we miss out on this one. Properties don't come up that often in this neighbourhood, and I feel like we need to make a decision now, or it might be another few years before anything like this comes up again 😣

OP posts:
WaterBottle123 · 29/03/2021 22:49

Presumably you've explored an extension?

Ladyof · 29/03/2021 22:54

You could always go for it with an agent that no sale no fee and just takes yours down if you font make the house in time. View it and if you like it offer spending sale of yours

Ladyof · 29/03/2021 22:54

Pending that should say!!

Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:02

@WaterBottle123 extension is not a possibility unfortunately..

OP posts:
RainingBatsAndFrogs · 29/03/2021 23:06

Loft conversion?

HerMammy · 29/03/2021 23:09

Can the garden fit a decent sized shed for storage? or rent a storage space, my DD did this when waiting on her flat to be ready, only £30pm(varied prices)

AntiHop · 29/03/2021 23:10

How far away is it?

Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:11

@RainingBatsAndFrogs unfortunately not. Its a listed building, so nothing structural is allowed. These rooms are all there's ever going to be. No garden office either as the garden is too small..

OP posts:
Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:13

@AntiHop it's only half a mile away. They would still see their friends in school, but wouldn't be a part of the same community iyswm

OP posts:
Embracelife · 29/03/2021 23:18

Your street friends may also move.
Don't stay for them .

MeanMrMustardSeed · 29/03/2021 23:20

I’d definitely move. No brainier for me.

DianaT1969 · 29/03/2021 23:25

I wouldn't want to take on a mortgage unless the e-commerce business proves itself and turns a profit.

BrieAndChilli · 29/03/2021 23:29

You say you don’t want to take on the coat of renting storage doe the business but are happy to take on a mortgage Hmm if you are otherwise happy with your house then surely paying for storage (which would be same cost as mortgage) would be a good solution - plus it can be short term if business doesn’t go anywhere or upgraded of it does

Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:32

@DianaT1969 I could afford the mortgage repayments alone. DH's business is making a profit albeit a small one atm.. We're both early 40s.. A new mortgage was not a plan, but here we are now considering it..

OP posts:
Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:37

@BrieAndChilli it's not only the storage. I would love an office and somewhere for guests. DH's mum lives overseas and it would be nice to be able to have a guestroom when she visits. And a trampoline for the kids, and a drive instead of street parking etc.. Writing this it's mainly the community and kid's friends I'd miss..

OP posts:
prosecco13 · 29/03/2021 23:39

I'm currently looking for a house where the kids can play in the street and have neighbour friends as where we live there isnt really anyone. I would stay for them and look at other options personally.

prosecco13 · 29/03/2021 23:40

of course you may find a nice detached house in a cul de sac where there are lots of children for them to play with also!

Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:42

@prosecco13 friends are important.. Especially for kids. It's so hard to decide 😭😭

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Original poster
Toothpaste123 · 29/03/2021 23:44

@prosecco13 the detached house is in a cul de sac.. No idea who else lives there though

OP posts:
Embracelife · 30/03/2021 08:30

People move. Your neighbours may be thinking the same if houses all same.
Can you ask your neighbours long term plans? Perhaps not. But you have no guarantee they will stay! You stay for them then they all move. What then ?

Embracelife · 30/03/2021 08:34

And half a mile is nothing when kids are a bit older