How long did you stay in your first house?

[Shurl]

As a ftb I'm just wondering what other people's experiences are/were? And what prompted the move? There is so much talk about a housing ladder that it almost seems expected that people move out of their first house quite quickly

For me (I'm not a journalist!)
I bought my property just after I met my dp, we both own places, so will probably pick one to move into together as a trial at some point and then sell both to fund a family home. I expect to be in my house under 5 years, but still think it was better to buy than stay renting, as my monthly costs are so much lower

Still in it 21 years later. It was a 2 bedroom end terrace, and we extended to get 3 double bedrooms and a bigger kitchen/diner. We could probably have got something a bit bigger if we'd moved, but not in this area, which we love.

When I bought my house at 27 I didn't expect to be there long. I thought I'd meet someone, we'd buy together...

As it happens I was there 16 years through a marriage and out the otherside with divorce.

I sold when DP finally got full time remote working and we decided to move further North for countryside and buy together.

2 years first house, 3 years second house, 11 years 26 years.

25 years and still going!

We were in our first house which was rented off family members for 7 years, bought current house 3.5 years ago and are moving again next month - still love this house and we've made loads of improvements to it but we are upgrading from terraced to detached so looking forward to not having shared walls and it's a much newer house so hopefully not as cold/damp in winter!

7 yrs. then bought a bigger house in a better area for schools etc. Stayed there 18 years. Kids now left home so I'm off to the sea side!

We're presently in our 7th year, but looking to sell this summer to buy something that will do until dc(s) move out.

First home was a new build flat, we stayed there just under 3 years.

We then bought a wreck of a house which we renovated and added a ground floor extension and stayed there for 16 years. We couldn’t easily extend upstairs though and the third bedroom was tiny with a low ceiling, ideal for a young child but not suitable for an almost teen so we sold.
We’ve now been in this house for 11 years. I expect both sons will leave home in the next couple of years, they’re both in their 20s, and it might feel too big then.

11 months. We bought a flat in London and then I fell pregnant and we decided to move out of town (changed jobs, etc) to raise a family.

Owned my first house for 3-years before I managed to move to my next one where I lived for 31-years.
First house was in a horrible location but it was just a stepping stone and I knew I wouldn't be there for long.

Parents on the other hand bought in 1955 and we sold it a couple of weeks ago following their passing.
Shows that not everyone moves on.

4.5 years I bought it myself after a very good pre- uni job earned me the deposit and rented out the spare rooms to other students (I was at uni for 7yrs)
I met DH and we decided to buy and move in together so sold it then.

10 years, by which point it was paid for.

9 years. We completed the day before the 2008 housing crash!
We were stuck there for years in negative equity, had two children and were desperate to move as it only had two bedrooms. Thankfully the market recovered, we made a significant profit and we now live in a lovely spacious home that I can’t see us moving from.

52 years and still counting

5 years. Moved because I was pregnant and we needed more space.

4 years semi detached, moved due to noisy neighbours.
12 years semi detached, moved due to noisy neighbours.
Happily detached, 6 years already and no plans to move.

We stayed in ours for 9 years. We were ready to move after 7 - needed more space and a garden, but we waited to get into the school we wanted which had a tiny catchment.

21mths
Then 11 years
Next house 18 years
This one 14mths so far, not intending on moving again….but never say never, right!

We stayed in our 1st house for 8 years. Decided to move to a bigger property, as we were planning to have our 2nd DC and managed to find a doer-upper with lots of potential. We've been in this house almost 8 years and can't see us moving anytime soon, as 4 bed houses in our area are extortionate and we're still hoping to do a loft conversion in the next few years.

Three years, after which time we were very fortunate to be able to sell it for 40% more than we'd paid despite spending nothing on it. We then moved to a different area, to what we hope will be a true 'forever home'.

Nine years and it was nine years too long for me. I hated the house and the area. When we moved I was so happy to have more space, privacy and live somewhere pleasant. I'm still here many years later.

I’ve been living in my first time home for 7 months. I plan to live here indefinitely. Spacious garden, big rooms, very good suite en-suite and bathroom, excellent transport links with lots going on locally.

10 years. Moved to get away from main road and to have a garden for young child mainly. It was a good little house though and I loved it. It was sad to leave!

3 years (my flat)
7 years (house with DP)
25 years so far (family home)
My parents were in their 2nd house over 50 years (first one maybe 5 years)

6 years.
I bought (a flat) as a single woman and we moved after we were married and were starting a family.
It seemed the next logical step. We wanted more room, and easier access, and a garden, and we could afford it as the interest rates had dropped considerably.