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?

You don't need to keep kids quiet in the garden, it's usual to be able to hear children playing, as long as they don't scream endlessly or very early in the morning.

I'd go for 2 too, although I like the sound of the woodland garden and relative seclusion of 1, life is better with young children when you can get places on foot.

2 , the inconvenience of house 1 will drive you insane. , children will always ask for lifts etc as they get older but in house 2 , they will have more freedom , and therefore you won’t be the taxi

2, obviously. No 1 has messed you around long enough.

If these are the only options, then 2.

OP when you go to get your mortgage valuation for 1, is there a good chance you’ll end up with an over/ up valuation that means he can ask for more? Wouldn’t put it past him to get an independent valuation himself. Hasn’t his property increased in value a lot over the past year?

Second house, hands down.

If you buy house 1, your kids will hate being so far from everywhere when they're older. They won't give a toss about the wooded acre. You will end up driving them all over town all day every day.

Plus the second house sounds gorgeous.

1 is never going to happen anyway so walk away from it. The question is 2 or keep looking.

I bought a fixer upper which needed everything doing. It is hell. I love the location and will stick with it, but I would go more expensive and less to do every time!

DH is correct and even if you can’t get 2 would ditch 1.

House 2. House 1 sounds completely impractical and possibly not even available. And your kids will hate you having to take them everywhere when they’re older.

No 2 definitely. We bought similar to no 1 position and walking on the road is a hazard as you would be amazed at how fast farm vehicles drive! You will never be able to let your children walk anywhere so will need to get the car out all the time. And how about when the toddler has a play date and you have to get the baby from their sleep to drive and pick up toddler! I could go on. Too much hassle for us to move but would in a flash . As for major work on house 1. Prices have rocketed and all the nightmare that goes with renovation. Been there big time and was a nightmare!! Solid advice from someone who knows not trying to put a dampener on your dream.

Absolutely most definitely 2. Unless you are happy to have to drive everywhere and become a permanent taxi driver

No. 1 for me.

For all those saying your dc will hate it, my dc grew up in a place like that, now as teens we are having to move and they are desperate for the same kind of setting (sadly much harder to find in our new area). We are temporarily staying in a detached house in a village where they can walk everywhere and they hate it.

They long for the woodland.

You don't have to keep kids quiet in a garden. Just no constant screeching and no lawn mowing before 9 on a weekend. And don't let a dog bark endlessly either.

Have you ever had neighbours before, OP?

We have 3 young children and neighbours each side. I don’t keep them quiet… they know know to scream/screech etc but I wouldn’t let them do that even if we lived in the middle of nowhere because it would drive me mad!! Normal play noise and chat is fine in a garden.

House 2.

I thought your DH would be keen on 1 and you would prefer the certainty of 2. Usually it's the man who isn't thinking of the discomfort to the family 😀

House 1 sounds like a knock down, a year in planning and lots of financial risk. Single track road that might flood, expensive to maintain. Drainage, utilities could be much more of an issue...does 1 have mains drainage?

Neighbours can be lovely, friends for the children, people around to make you feel secure. Just screen your garden if you are concerned.

2 without doubt.

Leave 1 for a purchaser for whom it’s the right size.

House number 2 definitely

No never had neighbours except for where we are now….. and I don’t like it! Not used to it but maybe I will come round …

Well I have been unequivocally told!! 😆

Are there foot paths through fields for number 1? If not it’s really only a practical option once both your children are 17 and can drive. The woodland sounds amazing.

2 sounds practical and a good investment with minimal hassle. A good option for younger children playing out with friends and then early stages of independence.

Do houses come up often?

100% House 2

The thought of living in the middle of nowhere with woodland behind me gives me the creeps . (Too many horror films I reckon)

I lived in a small village (9-22) and the lack of buses , havig to walk or rely on lifts (or later being able to borrow a car ) or taxi .....gets very old very quickly .

House number 2.

Definitely and whatever happens ditch house number 1.

Number 2, I wouldn’t even consider number 1. I don’t like being isolated and would never buy a property that meant I had to drive every time I wanted to pop out for milk or whatever. Really important if you have kids too that they can walk to meet friends, get to a shop, get to bus stops, park etc.

I agree Number 2, but then I grew up in a rural area and it was such a pain.

Would be even worse now as parents would feel they had to tote you everywhere (my parents didn't) which would be a nightmare. Unlit single track road? No thanks.

I live in a heaviliy populated suburb of a small city with buses and schools and shops close at hand tho and I like that. This made me smile OP Didn’t want to live on a street with neighbours both sides

Maybe you need to keep looking for a house 1 that actually will happen.