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Property/DIY

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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:

SeasonFinale · 30/03/2021 08:41

I would move. The cost of a mortgage is paying towards an asset you would keep. The costs of renting space is money out the window. It is still close enough for your kids to see their friends although not in the same way. As someone else said those same families may also one day announce they are moving. Also once they are secondary age you will find friendships change and also be grateful of the extra space.

Even the most feature less house can be made to look great with clever decorating. I say go for it

Goleor · 30/03/2021 09:01

Could you visit the cul de sac a few times and see what the vibe is , over easter holidays you will surely see the kids out playing etc.

Gemma2019 · 30/03/2021 09:12

I would move - it would be a no brainer for me. Half a mile is nothing and the kids will be able to cycle over. A lot of the playing out stops when they get closer to secondary age anyway.

Mistressofmany · 30/03/2021 09:31

Older kids will walk to meet friends, for ones the age yours are now that's not so easy. We've only once had a "street friend" for one of the dc and it was lovely. No families around us now at all, even though we have loads of neighbours there's not a single child in the street. I'm not sure if this is a "now or never" house - ie if you hung on a few more years until the dc more independent would you get somewhere as nice?

Original poster

Toothpaste123 · 30/03/2021 10:29

Great opinions, thank you all!

I walked past the house today, and tried to see what the neighbours are like. No trampolines/kid's stuff outside, so looks like mostly grown ups or families with older children around.
I went ahead and booked a viewing for tomorrow, DH is not convinced, but thought we should at least have a look. I'm dreaming of the amount of space we could have to be honest. It's not a now of never opportunity, but if we don't go for this house, it might be another year or two before another one pops up in this catchment, and cul de sacs are quite a rare find here.

OP posts:

FlyNow · 30/03/2021 10:35

I'd go for it. Neighbours move, kids fall out or grow apart, and "playing out with the next door neighbour" only lasts so long.

FlyNow · 30/03/2021 10:37

Who knows, one of your neighbours may even want to buy the house too. You may see them at the viewing!

LadyDanburysHat · 30/03/2021 10:37

Go for it, as others have said, your kids won't be little forever, and they will make different friends too.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 30/03/2021 10:38

[quote Toothpaste123]@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..[/quote]
I think you have your answer.

As the kids grow you'll be wanting more space too. £100k mortgage at 40, that you can afford on one wage isn't a huge deal.

You can make the new place nicer surely?

Yes it's a shame you'll be leaving such a mice little community, but there's nothing to say the kids will be friends in two years or they wouldn't have moved away.

Plus a big garden with a trampoline sounds good for summer BBQ's! You wouldn't be moving far!

kwaziseyepatch · 30/03/2021 10:45

View the house at least. I'd consider renting premises though as it would be tax deductible, counting as a business cost, then if the business doesn't work out just finish the lease. Even a storage locker for now would make the house seem less poky as if you were selling up you'd need to stash it for viewings anyway. I'm definitely guilty of house covid fatigue myself despite loving my house

emmathedilemma · 30/03/2021 10:55

Move!

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