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To move or not to move! Location (both nice) or space?

14 replies

Yorkie64 · 26/12/2021 13:29

I feel stuck! Any thoughts or experiences that might help are welcome!
I’m wobbling on whether to move.

We have a 19 month old son and are hoping to have one more child if we’re so fortunate. Currently, we live in a 3 bed terrace with a long narrow north facing garden that doesn’t get much late afternoon /evening sun but does get some in the day time. We’ve done quite a bit of work on it over the years - a loft conversion, moved the bathroom upstairs, new kitchen etc but we haven’t done a side return extension. If we did this, it would give a less narrow kitchen but wouldn’t give any extra rooms. We love our house (mostly! - it can also be a bit cold, the neighbours are nice but a little noisy and the parking is getting worse on the street). We LOVE it’s location - riverside walks at the end of the road with a beautiful park 10 mins walk away and town is 10 mins walk in the other direction. We decided to move originally for two reasons: one is that my husband is now working full time at home in one of the bedrooms and this is likely to be permanent. If we have another child, we’d like them to have a bedroom each and so need a study space. The second reason is that at the top of our road, just over the main road, they’ve just approved almost 400 student flats and I worry that our road is going to become a cut through from the walk from town by the river to the flats. I was worried, (maybe unduly but just being honest!) that we might get more shouting at night etc.

We have sold our current house subject to contract and had an offer accepted on a 3 bed detached house in a nice village that is about 10-15 mins drive out of town. The new house is a few doors up from my sister and her two boys which would be amazing. It needs a little work but would give us 3 beds, a study, a small garage and a large westerly facing garden. My sister would be nearby and our son could go round to play sometimes giving us a little extra help! The village is nice, has a nursery and when he’s older, a school that we could walk to - so lots of positives.

I’m wobbling because of location. I will miss enormously just being able to walk out my door and have a beautiful walk on my doorstep, the possibility of ambling into town when he’s bigger etc. The village doesn’t really have many green walk options. But to find a bigger house near where we are is £££££!

Will life change as our son gets older - is a bigger, sunnier garden worth more than a great walk? Has anyone else done a similar move and found that it is actually fine? Or perhaps regretted it?! I know we have to make the right decision for us but I’m just curious to hear if anyone else found a way of working out what tips the decision when you’re really stuck!!

OP posts:
Taoneusa · 26/12/2021 13:37

I would stay put and install a garden office for DH.

wonderstuff · 26/12/2021 13:41

I would definitely move. As your children grow, especially if you have a second, you will really appreciate the extra space. We moved a little while ago from a small 3 bed terrace to a 4 bed detached and the improvement on quality of life is fantastic. A west facing garden will be lovely too.

FurierTransform · 26/12/2021 13:42

Sounds like a good move to me

Bimblybomeyelash · 26/12/2021 17:25

I’d move. It’s tough moving away from what you know and love, but you aren’t going to get a better option than a detached house, with a lovely garden, near family. That’s a lot of ‘ticks’. If it’s in a village then surely there must be some nice countryside walks close by?

oftenbaffled · 26/12/2021 17:29

Location for me
Always location
And now mine late primary early secondary …. So so glad I made that call

gukvguk · 26/12/2021 17:42

Are you sure there are no walks ? In a village?

Winterspangles · 26/12/2021 17:50

The garden office is a brilliant suggestion. I would also stay put.

emmathedilemma · 26/12/2021 17:56

Move, it sounds like you've outgrown the terrace

Frederica852 · 26/12/2021 18:02

I'm not sure you're getting enough extra for the hassle of moving - a small study and a bigger garden.
Plus I would favour location with small children. Mine are primary age and being able to walk to everything as they've grown up has been really valuable. I've bought garden toys over the years but they've always preferred to go to the playground and park and never been v interested in the garden.
It also depends on how you feel? Are you a stay at home person or would you need to get out everyday? I'm the latter so village life would never really be for me
Would it be possible to hold off until you can afford more space where you are?

Ilikewinter · 26/12/2021 18:16

Detached house wins it for me

Tal45 · 26/12/2021 18:21

400 student flats going up just up the road and moving from a terrace to a detached house close to your sister would be a no brainer for me. I'd be gone in a shot.

Didiusfalco · 26/12/2021 18:25

I was thinking no, until you mentioned the 400 student flats. I think this could make a huge difference to the parking, traffic and general busyness of the area. Meaning that if you stay you might feel it was the wrong decision.

junebirthdaygirl · 26/12/2021 18:26

I would move as the student nice will devalue your present house. You are sure to find a nice walk near your new village. So nice to have chats and back up with your sister. Don't look back..just go!

junebirthdaygirl · 26/12/2021 18:26

Student noise!

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