Better house or better location

[ginfuelled]

Help me out here please! I've been struggling to find something I like for a while since selling my place but finally have seen two houses.

One is smaller, nice enough house, but the location is way more preferable. Also a lot cheaper.

Other is much bigger (and more expensive), lovely house, but location is much less preferred.

I probably only want to live there for 3 or 4 years, it's not a long term plan but never say never and all that. Saying that, which would you choose.

Another vote for location.

Location
Every. Single. Time

I absolutely hate where I live purely due to the location. In fact my poor gorgeous house and garden have been neglected because I hate where I am. I have no love to give the house and garden. It’s sad but it’s reality.

We are looking to move next year and one thing I know for sure is that location will be my number one priority and I will not compromise on it.

I will live in the ugliest most horrid house as long as it is in the perfect location.

Location every day of the week. Resale will be so much easier in a desirable location. I've seen gorgeous houses go for pittance because all the interior design in the world can't compensate for a shitty neighborhood xx

Obviously gentrification happens but it's better to let the rental market do the graft as it's a hell of a gamble.

Personally, another vote for location here. Sounds like the smaller house gives you enough space, good access to local shops, and convenient access to your family. Also it looks like it'll be cheaper to run and is more likely to appreciate in value due to location. Sounds like a house to live in overall!

The other house only wins on the size; if your weigh the other aspects, it's equal (local shops) or worse off (family access). But is there a good chance that area will shoot up in value due to gentrification?

On the other hand, have you viewed both houses? Which one feels more like home?

Location location location.

You can improve the house, but you can't do any

Posted too early by accident!

You can't do anything about the location, but you can improve the house while there. If you are planning to sell in 3/4 years time, the house in the better location will sell much more quickly, particularly with proximity to the station.

I bought a house in a location I hate due to partner at the time. Have managed to sell it 4 years later for a decent uplift, but only because I've done a good amount of work to the property. When I buy the new place it's all about location, location, location. Kirsty and Phil are spot on with that.

Location.

I once made the mistake of going for best house poor location. I was burgled twice and scared to death on my own after that so had to move. I lost a fortuneX

A big thanks to all of you who replied. Really good to hear various perspectives.

I got a call that the bigger house had an offer put in and did I want to make an offer. I said no. I then put an offer in on the smaller house and waiting to hear if it's been accepted, but I went in at asking price and there haven't been any other viewings. Wait and see now.

We have recently, two weeks ago, moved into the less favourite house in the much better village location, than the favourite house in a town. We love it, and the children love the area, and the dog does too. I've not even plugged the tv in yet.

Location, every time for me.

Location.

Like the title says "Location, Location, Location"

Unless you need the bigger space, always go for the better location.

Offer has been accepted. It's the right decision, still have a few doubts, but it's more about downsizing from my current place and making sure everything will fit. I always say I have too much stuff anyway, so it'll be good for me, assuming of course it all goes through. Nothing is certain about house moving at the moment.

Thanks again all.

Great decision, I’ll bet you love the house once you are in, and I’ll bet that you will love it’s location even more!

FFS ignore the typos, not sure whether they are software or wine related 😂

If the space works I’d go for location. We are looking to downsize slightly to get a better location.

Good decision OP. Other benefits will be lower running costs so more money to put towards the mortgage and/or pension etc. so you will come out better off

When we last moved we were tempted by some amazing houses - huge, with great big gardens, games rooms, even the odd pool - but went for something more modest ina great location.

Being able to walk to shops, pubs, cafés and - most importantly for us - the children's primary school has made the most enormous differenc and meant we've made friends and really feel rooted in the area. The fancier houses were more rural and we'd have had to drive everywhere. There'd be much less of a sense of community.

I don't think you can have a general rule that the location is always more important, after all a house that just doesn't meet your needs won't work however great the location. But in your situation it sounds like location is probably the better thing to prioritise.