Sang to the tune of 'should I stay or should I go'.... 😁
Help me find some clarity, please MN'ers!
I'm often here with a house dilemma so bear with me (or ignore me).
I had a v unsettled childhood with many house moves, so I do think 'settling' is hard for me, despite craving nothing more through my teens and twenties.
Scenario:
DH, two DC and I live in a large terraced house in a London 'burb (Zone 6). Busy busy busy. Main road, no parking, buses etc. House is cracking. Space and grandeur galore. In Catchment area for outstanding secondary. New Neighbours moving in soon and will be embarking on a long, big renovation. Mortgage is v comfortable because the house was a bit of a steal. We did a lot of work here and have it just as we like it. Been here 4 years. It was meant to be long term home but... see my intro above!
Option a) stay put.
Or: Move 500m up the road to a side street, where houses are detached (some have drives). Character of houses is similar but would likely be a bit smaller than this. Still in catchment plus good chance of another outstanding school which has better (amazing) results.
Obviously this option will cost more but we earn well and can up the mortgage easily. I personally think this option would be a better longer term investment too as the ceiling price on these houses seems infinite and has risen more % wise than ours has in 4 years. We would look for a project and use our skills (construction and architects) to increase the value too.
DH is reluctant but will let me lead because I drive us both mad with indecisiveness. Stamp duty is huge, school catchment would be his only reason to move. He might like to retire earlier than me and he is also much more cautious and risk averse when it comes to finance than I am. I think he also believes I will change my mind again in another 5 years. I'd like to think this wouldn't happen - they are sort of the dream houses.
WWYD wise people??