Stay/ move dilemma!

[Rrrunrunrunrunrun]

Will try to keep it brief.

Currently - live just outside of London and have outgrown our dream 3 bed semi. Lovely area, lots of friends and commutable. Can’t afford to upsize locally. DTs are 2, new baby coming in Aug. Nanny has just resigned and we are struggling to find childcare. DH suggests we juggle/ move in with my parents until we have a solution or Ive started mat leave, both of which are far from ideal. DH works away 2 days a week close to his hometown. My parents help occasionally but are 2 hours away. DH’s family don’t help but are 3 hours in the opposite direction.

Option 1 - stay put and deal with lack of space and support.

Option 2 - move to my hometown (not particularly nice but ok).
Pros - My parents are there and could provide some adhoc support. Could afford a decent sized house but would need to compromise on location.
Cons - DH would need to change jobs. I don’t love the idea of a proper train commute if I return after mat leave. Not ideal but I only just coping now and baby hasn’t arrived.

Option 2 - move to DH’s hometown.
Pros - He has lots of friends there, could do current job. Lovely area.
Cons - It is too far to ever commute to London and has limited job prospects for me. No family support network. House prices going through the roof.

so…what would you do?!

Can you extend your current home? Go into the loft? Convert a garage?

I’d stay put. In the short term could you and your husband both request compressed hours to each get a day at home to reduce your need for childcare. Then look at an agency for a temporary nanny until you’re on maternity leave. In the longer term maybe look for a nursery/pre school instead.

I would stay put for now and move when the children are older and you don’t need to pay so much in childcare. This is the most expensive time but it does get easier eventually!

Stay put 100%

If you've got twins and another baby arriving how do you feel you've 'outgrown' a three bed? I don't understand.

Ok pretty unanimous! Yes we could do the loft to create more space…
@heldinadream bed 1 us, bed 2 twins share, bed 3 is currently an office (we both work from home). When bed 3 becomes a nursery we will both have to work from our bedroom (and DH has no sense of inside voice).

Should have replied to all. Can’t convert the garage, its on the level below/ not connected to the house.

Yes to pre school when they are older. Unfortunately my firm said no to compressed hours - apparently we are expected to work above our contracted hours anyway so it would be unfair (sounds ridiculous but it’s a law firm…!).

and yes, good reminder that this is short term and childcare costs will go down!

Can you put an office in the garden? We have done this and it has vastly increased the time we will be able to live in our flat and it is so great to work in.

@talktalktalkallthetime good idea, thanks! we do have a summer house (currently full of stuff) and had an electrician round to quote for putting electrics in so it could be an office….need to chase up the quote!