Which house - DH & I different opinions!!

[Cinnabomb]

Firstly I realise this is very privileged and a lucky position to be in. Discretion if you recognise my situation please! 🙈

DH and I like completely different houses, both in the same village which is 100% where we both want to be.

1. we offered on what we thought was our ‘dream project home over a year ago. Vendor accepted but since then very much messing us around, hasn’t seriously started looking where he wants to move to. Very demanding and rude.

House itself on edge of village down unlit country road (60mph) but no footpath. However plot set well back so no road noise. INCREDIBLE garden ‘woodlandy’ of about 1 acre but tiny 2 bed cottage which needs massive extension and loads of work. Unliveable in current condition . Can’t walk into village easily (2km+, dangerous road). Plus is no neighbours.

1. New house just come on market in “posh” quiet street in centre of village. Could walk everywhere but quiet so wouldnt get anything more than usual neighbour noise. Edwardian large house with medium size garden, not overlooked but do have immediate neighbours. I’m concerned about usual neighbour noise/ inconvenience as wanted somewhere bit more private. Needs redocorating and kitchen diner knocking thru in long term but otherwise suits us well. Very “prestigious” property. A lot less work but nearly twice the price, altho probably nearly equal once you factor int be work number 1 needs. Kids could walk everywhere

My heart is with number 1 as I love the beautiful setting and dont know how I feel living on a street. Also more me as I don’t love paying for the ‘grandness’ of property 2. However I see the benefits of being able to walk out the door and go everywhere, and the kids therefore being able to be a bit more independent. DH likes number 2 and doesn’t think a huge project with 2 small children is a good idea.

Thoughts?

House No. 2 .

Is house #2 detached?

I'm with your husband, especially since it doesn't sound like you're ever going to actually get to own house #1, either.

2 for sure - but I would hate to be isolated.

I wouldn’t live on a busy road myself. I’d rather be in the village. Although if it’s a street rather than a lane it would probably not be quiet enough for me!
We are moving from a larger house in a 30mph road on the edge of a village that is too busy for me to the bottom of a dead end single track lane in the middle of a different village. The bonus for us will be DD will be able to walk to school and play with friends when older.
So it would be house 2 for me. Or probably neither! I can’t believe you’ve waited over a year already for house 1 though.

1. No 1 sounds like a nightmare and are you ever going to actually get it?

House 2 definitely

Can you send us links?
What do you mean my village? I fed up on Devon so a village to me is a church, village gall and small post office shop. Sometimes a small primary school. Other people think a village has a full high street, secondary school etc!!

I’m asking because it will affect my answer. If you mean a true village you end up driving everywhere anyway so you will find you won’t end up walking anywhere. If you mean a small town then walkabiliry for older kids is a deffo good point.

I'm with your husband.
We used to live in a small village where you would have to drive to get anywhere. Was a lovely location but after a year or so the novelty wore off and I hated not being able to walk to the local shop.
It was manageable, just took a lot of organisation as if you ran out of milk you couldn't just pop and get some.
This was before children, now I have young children I think it would be even worse as its nice to put out shoes on and have a walk to the shops/ park / school and also run out and grab some milk if needed

I'd say definitely not #1.

I'd choose #2 only if detached. If it's not then neither of those two properties.

#2 - do not underestimate the convenience of being able to walk everywhere, especially as the kids get older

Potentially neither, if you can’t both be happy.

1 Sounds like it’ll never happen due to vendor. All that work with young children….

2 Would be the one I would go for, but I wouldn’t like the isolation of 1 and it’s handy to be able to walk everywhere imo.

No 2. It's a complete no brainer. Building work is so expensive right now. Plus the vendor sounds like a complete nightmare.

So he accepted an offer over a year ago? He must know how much property has gone up since then. There’s no way he’ll be happy buying now surely?

Number 2. When the kids are older they can walk safely, you wont need to take them anywhere on an unlit 60mph road

In addition if number 1 owner is still pushing you about it’s not like it will be quick, and living in such a small space whilst you do it up will be horrible

I think House 2 as well.

The vendor of House 1 is never going to sell.

Number 2 if it's detached.
Your kids will not be able to walk home from their friends/from school bus safely/ from bus back from town etc as they get older. They will be isolated and moan about it. You will be pestered constantly to be a taxi and still you will get grief anyway because they will still be hindered when you are at work.
Also, house one will cost far more than you think. They always do. And don't underestimate the strain of living in a building site for months on end.
As you might guess, I bought house one. I really wish I didn't!

Number 2

It is so brilliant to be able to walk everywhere and so good for DC to be able to walk instead of being driven

I def would not want to be somewhere so isolated as 1 with no footpath on a busy road.
Your day to day life will be spent ferrying them about.

House 2 sounds dreamy!!

I’d have pulled out of No 1 about 8 months ago. Surely if it’s been over a year it’s not happening? Pull out forget it and buy No. 2.

Country road no footpath? Think twice. Your children will be shut in with you. They will only be able to go anywhere at all if you drive them. Don't sacrifice your kids' independence and make a rod for your own back.

House No 1 is for when you retire.

Wow so many responses already. Looks like I’m clearly in the wrong - my husband will be thrilled 😬

Number 2 is detached.
The road on number 1 is a single track farm road so not busy but I wouldn’t feel comfortable with kids walking down it. Yes vendor from 1 absolute nightmare. Also my concern he might try and renegotiate. Also concerned that building right now seems a nightmare.

Kids ages currently toddler and pregnant so will be small for a while.

Number 2
House number 1 is never going to happen because the vendor is going to mess you around forever.

Otherwise wait for house number 3 to come onto the market.

2
The not being to walk anywhere wouldn't work for me kids riding there bikes and friends coming to play .
Be even worse when they are older ferrying them all the time and then worry of them passing there test and driving on that road .