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What to consider when searching for forever home

79 replies

yellowduckredduck · 21/12/2022 17:13

I appreciate this is very personal but my husband and I are currently viewing houses, looking to upsize to our 'forever' home, and I'm interested to know what people find really important. What could you not live without? What do you wish your home had?

OP posts:
RamblingEclectic · 25/12/2022 20:38

Consider those at where your 'not quite forever' ends and what they need, considering those less able and whether it's adaptable if those needs come up. We'd all like to think we'll be fit as a fiddle when the kids leave, but statistically, some won't.

My forever home has a ramp out the front and back doors and has an adapted shower with a seat built in. It has handrails in many important places. It has space for an adapted bathroom downstairs. The kitchen is large enough for multiple to be in there without driving each other crazy (lived with a very tiny kitchen for a dozen years, I'm enjoying the elbow room).

It's a couple minutes from one set of buses and 10 minutes from another set which lead to cities and all of my teens have bus passes so they can travel our area as they wish, giving me some breathing space and them some freedom. The first shop is within about 5 minutes walks, and within 20ish minutes we have several shops including a chemist and banks. We have a big green field out front and woods and walking/cycling paths within sight.

We have a south facing front garden and it's not the big boon many think it is other than it's nicer sitting out there for more of the year. I'm hoping to simplify and add more seating out there. For me, it's more is the garden and home space something you can manage, we've struggled a bit with the garden as we have surprise fruit trees and we bought knowing it will take years to improve much of the energy efficiency in a 1950s all electric house.

As for the kids not having moved out - I already have one lodger, I'm open and like the idea of the others being used for other lodgers or foster children or for supportive housing or as a shared lives carer as long as I'm able, and then in retirement to rent out to some of my friends who intend to continue renting so they have an adapted house as adapted rentals are so hard to come by. Leave the box room for carer equipment or visitors. I live near a lot of bungalows, but really, my house is already adapted and adaptable for most of the benefits. I can only see us moving if all the kids move out fairly far away and my husband and I wanted to move closer, and at the moment I've an adult child who thinks a university 4 hours away 'seems a bit much' so unlike potential infirmity, I find that harder to imagine at this point.

newtb · 25/12/2022 21:08

Cellar
Walking distance to basic shops, pharmacy, doctor, dentist
Mains drainage
3-4 beds separate dining room

However, I'm going for a second visit to a house
In a village with over 100 houses, but not even a boulangerie
No mains drainage, not even a fosse septique so, basically uninhabitable
Only 1 bedroom but space for at least 1 more
Needs rewiring
Shower room moving upstairs
New stairs, current ones like a ladder. Think it must've been the hayloft

BUT, it's only 57,500€ and I think I can afford it. Looks like something out of Darling buds of May. I'll see !

JustMaggie · 25/12/2022 21:19

A pantry, laundry room, lots of storage space so everything can have a place, a walk in closet.

Pipsquiggle · 26/12/2022 17:48

OK having been to various family homes over the last few days, these are the elements I love about my 'forever' home

4 double bedrooms
2 ensuites
Downstairs loo
Pantry
Utility room
Big kitchen
Separate lounge
Garage - being used as a garage
Parking
Log burner
Underfloor heating
Office space for WFH
Village with good primary schools and in catchment of good secondary schools
Located within walking of a decent local shop and pubs /restaurants
Good area for dog walks

Also what I found equally helpful was going to houses and noticing things I really didn't like e.g hate open plan

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