Page 2 | Move or not? How small is too small?

Toolateplanting · 2021-08-12T14:28:14+00:00

We live in a big (rented) flat. Secure tenancy. Have found a house with a garden in budget to buy (rare). Also it’s within our secondary school catchment (also rare). It is only 69square metres. 2 bedrooms one of which looks titchy (2.5m wide). There are four of us - me partner two girls of primary school age. Any thoughts? Our flat has probably close on 100square metres but no outside space whatsoever, not even shared. But how would it feel living with so little indoor space?

Teddansononmyown · 12/08/2021 18:52

This is basically my house.
I bought it for DD and I after marriage broke down. DP moved in with us last year.
There is more than enough room for DD. She has a mid-sleeper, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Storage will be your big issue as I can put DDs toys under the mid-sleeper.
The main bedroom is a great size and the sliding cupboards could be used to build up? I used a portion of the main bedroom to build stairs up to attic, which I floored and decorated. There's no heating or water but DP and I use it as an office and for much needed storage.
There are ways go be creative with the space you have. I'd love a third bedroom but we simply can't afford the jump up in our area.

orinocosfavoritecake · 12/08/2021 18:57

If you look through the apartment therapy small/cool contest, your house would be at the larger end of the ‘smaller’ section. Might give you an idea (however idealised) of what can be done with a space that size.

orinocosfavoritecake · 12/08/2021 18:59

Here, for example: www.apartmenttherapy.com/contests/2020-small-cool/smaller-501-750-square-feet/597936738

mumwon · 12/08/2021 19:30

Desks can be small or reduceable or folding into wall when not in use
Does it have an attic which could be boarded for storage? or a garage

SciFiScream · 12/08/2021 19:45

Rooms may be small but are the ceilings high? You can do so much with wall space. Look up the tiny house movement for ideas on how to live small.

I think you should go for it, get on the ladder, have outside space (makes such a massive difference) and be in the catchment for secondary. That all sounds like a brilliant thing.

Our house is only 4.9 meters wide. I don't know how long. Smallest room is small and has the stair bulk head taking up space.

mistermagpie · 12/08/2021 19:59

I'd probably go for it. I have a very small three bed, it's basically the same as 'your' house with a box room, and there are 5 of us in it. My two eldest children share a room and have bespoke bunk beds with loads of storage and my youngest is in the box room. Our house is about half the size of a lot of my friends houses but it has a big garden and I like the area, we won't stay here forever but it's absolutely fine and it got us on the property ladder.

mistermagpie · 12/08/2021 20:03

This is similar to the bed we have. Check out CB playbeds on Facebook for inspiration, they can make lots of designs which incorporate storage.

Jerseygirl12 · 12/08/2021 20:04

I’d go for it.

mmmmmchocolate · 12/08/2021 20:25

This is the same as my first house. 2 DC’s in the big room and me and DH in the smaller one. We had wall to wall fitted wardrobes. It was fine and all we had ever known. We only moved because it was a horrible street or we would have stayed there. You just need to think about how much storage you will need to put in and how much it will cost. It’s totally liveable- if you are able to cope with living in a smaller place than you are used to.

Leonberger · 12/08/2021 20:26

We had a house of this layout and it was the downstairs space that made us move rather than the lack of bedroom space.

Not being able to fit in a table to sit round as a family or space to let the children set up toys etc while we watched them play was really was annoying.

C8H10N4O2 · 12/08/2021 21:10

Its not that small - its bigger than our first house and when we bought that there were families moving out of them.

I'd do it to get on the ladder, have a garden whilst remaining the an area I liked. Look at pictures of the smaller rooms on Pinterest or Houzz for ideas.

How many years would it be before you can add the garden office and extend? What extension potential is there? Those would be my main questions as you are really buying for potential as well.

parietal · 12/08/2021 21:52

if you plan to extend, can you extend upstairs too to make the 2nd bedroom bigger?

are the ceilings high enough to allow loft beds / storage up by the ceiling?

I think it sounds pretty tempting. go for it.

tattychicken · 12/08/2021 22:36

If you're a secure tenant can you exercise your Right to Buy on your existing flat and get on the ladder that way?

lastqueenofscotland · 12/08/2021 22:40

Could they share the big room and you have the small one and just sleep in it

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 12/08/2021 22:43

The size of the second bedroom wouldn't put me off!

Candyapple49 · 12/08/2021 22:47

I lived in a very similar sized house for 10 years and it drove me crazy ! It really depends what type of person you are though . I have a tendency to hang on to lots of possessions and clothes and but the kids way too many toys . If you are neat and tidy and minimalist it would be much better .
If you are tidier than me I would go for it because it is a step on the property ladder . It will sell again as affordable small first time homes will always be in demand . Being in a catchment area for a good school is also a massive bonus .

ilikecheesecake · 12/08/2021 23:36

my house isn't much bigger. your second bedroom is the same size as my daughters and I do have a very small third bedroom 6x6 feet which fits a bed in and some draws for my other son. mines basically the size of a two bed.
I would defiantly go for it, there will be lots of people out there with houses the same size as yours. it also gets you on the property ladder instead of you renting and paying someone else's mortgages.

kids can have space to play in the house/ garden, mine rarely play in their bedroom they prefer building dens all round the house and as they get older they don't play as much anyway so just need a room to chill out in and watch Tv.

Original poster

Toolateplanting · 13/08/2021 07:39

I’m so glad I posted about it - all your ideas and points to think about are great.
@tattychicken in Scotland right to buy was abolished for new tenants a few years back which is unfortunate for us but great for the country in general :) Our circumstances have changed such a lot since we moved in in large part thanks to having a stable affordable home! Which is another point, life can be unpredictable and it might be a really bad idea to give up this place.

Roof /attic space - I can’t figure out from online details whether it has any. I guess I can put up a shed for some storage pretty quickly.

Distance from school - right now we are 5 mins walk from primary school. This place would be half an hour walk or 10 min cycle (adult speeds).

OP posts:

StrongArm · 13/08/2021 07:46

I lived in a house like that for years (it was only 12 foot wide) but I was a single parent with 2 kids. Are you sure there's no space in the loft to create another room with time? It's rare that there wouldn't be?

it was absolutely fine when my kids were younger and when they got older, I did the loft and created another bedroom so everyone got their own

my kids loved that house! and never really felt the smallness of it!

I would double check the loft space as you will probably need room for expansion as everyone gets a bit older. Even if you don't do a full extension now, you could board the loft and you or your dh could work up there in the interim if there's space.

Onfire · 13/08/2021 07:51

I’ve lived in tiny houses (50sq m) and that would have been fine for 3 of us

There’s now 4 of us in 80m2 and it’s plenty big enough.

We don’t work from home (have done occasionally and it’s not a problem though)

I’d buy a smaller house if I loved the house

I’d also prefer a smaller house with garden than a larger flat

My DH would prefer larger flat but it’s all personal opinion

Onfire · 13/08/2021 07:52

@StrongArm

I lived in a house like that for years (it was only 12 foot wide) but I was a single parent with 2 kids. Are you sure there's no space in the loft to create another room with time? It's rare that there wouldn't be?

it was absolutely fine when my kids were younger and when they got older, I did the loft and created another bedroom so everyone got their own

my kids loved that house! and never really felt the smallness of it!

I would double check the loft space as you will probably need room for expansion as everyone gets a bit older. Even if you don't do a full extension now, you could board the loft and you or your dh could work up there in the interim if there's space.

@StrongArm What age were your children when you decided to do the loft conversion?

(Sorry for thread hijack)

FartleBarfle · 13/08/2021 07:59

@Toolateplanting

I think this is a real opportunity to get on the ladder which is ultimately meant to be a first step onto better things.

I had to post as it reminded me of our first home so much! It was a two bedroom end terrace with a lovely garden, around 50sq m. We had two children. Admittedly they were younger than yours but we managed just fine.

We bought it for 120k. We lived there for 2 years, 9 months. Our mortgage was lower than the previous rent was, so we overpaid every month and knocked a lot off the balance in that time. We sold it for 155k and moved to the most amazing home (new build, 3 storey, 117 sq m, backing onto our school playing field). We have been very lucky, but I am so glad we didn't underestimate the need to take that first step. We still look back fondly at our old house. I wish you all the best with your decision.

Camandmitch · 13/08/2021 08:42

I'm viewing a 2 bed house tomorrow with an identical layout (although I think it is slightly wider as a table can fit into the kitchen). I currently rent a house with the same downstairs layout but 3 bedrooms. I also have 2 DDS almost 4 years apart. I am a little apprehensive about it as I find our downstairs too small. My living room is full of toys. It will only work for us as a long term home if we can extend/conservatory downstairs and attic in the future. My main concern is that even though I'm in the SE the prices on this particular Street seem to be fairly stagnant over the past 5/8 years so I'm concerned about financing any extension and it is unlikely we'd break even if we ever needed to sell. However, on the other hand we really need to buy something (I'm getting on too!) and everything is so expensive where I live or want to live (I'm happy to move away)

SciFiScream · 13/08/2021 08:52

Being in the catchment area for a good secondary school is maybe/probably more important than a longer walk to primary?

Given that you have a secure tenancy, this sounds like council or housing association? How much is your rent? Have you worked out how much your mortgage will be?

Home ownership is expensive for lots of costs not associated with the mortgage. There always seems to be something to fix.

Remember the outside space is like having another room.

When my 2 DC were younger I'd pitch a tent in the back garden to give them play space/a den/shelter from the weather while they played. Not all the time, just often enough to be exciting.

I'm still, just, on the buy it side.

RichTeaCheddars · 13/08/2021 08:55

I'd go for it so you're on the property ladder. You can extend the kitchen as you say and you can check if you can do a loft conversion. They are not as expensive as other extensions (apparently! I'm hoping to do one on my house in next 5 or so years)