How to decide on 2 very different houses

[killerqueue]

Narrowed our shortlist to 2 properties but they are opposite ends of the spectrum. How do you decide between them?

1st house

1960s build, not my preferred style
Good size rooms & proportions
Bigger property - 1300 sq ft but not much scope to extend & I think unlikely to be able to do a loft.
separate garage at back
semi detached
Small garden but wider
Smaller drive
Excellent location for shops
In catchment for secondary schools but primary may be a problem. The closest primary is excellent but no spaces yet so would be on waiting list however should be close to top of not top due to proximity.

2nd house
1930s house
950 sq ft but able to do good extension & loft conversion if needed.
very long beautiful garden with garden office
terrace
space to park 2 cars - only have 1
high ceilings
closer to the rail line so potentially more noise.
Further away from shops
closer to primary schools but not my preferred one but more options.
Not great for secondary so may have to rely on catholic (we are) or private so less options.
cheaper

Ideally we would move after 5 yrs but conscious of what the market could look like then.

House 2. The garden office is a great selling point for when you move on.

Big garden for the DCs.

Schools can improve - or equally go the other way.

RC secondary would suit you.

I would prefer to be a bit further from shops personally.

1930s houses are built to last.

I would choose option 1, but it is you who has to live in the house and not me.

I think your gut is saying option 2

my head says 1, my heart says 2. my gut as of yet doesn't know

I was in a similar situation and chose house 1 - not very pretty 60s property but as others say you don't look at it very much, and you can make it prettier with plants - and/or really embrace the 60s aesthetic.

At the moment building work is so expensive it's unlikely to add more value than the cost, plus you have to deal with building works.

Location, particularly for secondary, is really important.

And equally sized kids rooms saves headaches as they grow up.

60s properties tend to have lovely large windows, so they feel really nice to be inside because they are so light and airy.