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Original poster

4 floors?

51 replies

insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 12:57

We are currently deciding between 2 houses. 1 is in our ideal location, smaller than we would like (but still a decent size) and needs some work (which I really desperately wanted to avoid)

The other is in our less favourable location (lovely area but just a bit further from my daughters school and both mine and my DH's parents who we help out a lot). However it's immaculately done and significantly bigger than the first one (50% bigger!)

Price wise once we do the work on the first house I would say we will end up paying the same. In fact the second house would be a bit cheaper. Another point is that the first house is north facing and does feel a bit dark.

Just to clarify the 2 houses are about a 15 min drive from each other so not far. However the first area has a high street within walking distance with coffee shops, supermarket etc. the 2nd house you need to drive everywhere although the station is probably a 15 min walk from both houses. As previously mentioned, both are in lovely neighbourhoods.

On paper I think the second house seems to make sense but there are 2 things worrying me. Firstly it's on 4 floors and there is a flight of stairs to get to the front door. I worry that this isn't v practical and would get annoying quickly especially as we grow older and when parents visit. You can access the lower ground floor without climbing the stairs from the side of the house though which has the kitchen/diner/family area and also a wc and another 2 rooms so elderly visitors could come in that way. Has anyone ever fit a v small lift in their house?!

Secondly the drive is on quite a slope and I worry that when the weather is bad/icy it may be tricky to get out? Although my DH thinks I'm being lame 🙄

I appreciate what a great situation we are in to be picking between 2 great houses and am v grateful. But I'm going round in circles as to which house we should go for. Any thoughts? Thank you all in advance!!

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 29/01/2023 13:12

Personally I'd go for the one with amenities nearby. I think the location sounds significantly better and in the long term that is pretty important.

HelebethH · 29/01/2023 13:45

FWIW I have lived in 17 rented houses in my lifetime due to having to move with work. They have all had one or more features you mentioned in house 2 and we're on my list of deal breakers when we looked to buy our permanent home.. I would go for House 1 without any hesitation. I will explain why not house 2.
Firstly never under estimate easy access and distance for grandparents. They will age and even if fit now being closer , especially with childcare is a bonus. They may not want to travel further as time goes on.
Secondly, Never again will I live in a house with 4 floors!!!!! I have done it 3 times and trust me you will grow to hate those stairs . I guarantee whatever you need, or forget as you go out the door will be at least two flights up. If you do buy it get a cleaner. Hoovering and dusting them alone is a nightmare. How old are your children? I assume not teenagers if you need childcare. Carpet does not stop the noise and the stairs become an untidy dumping ground for stuff when people can't be bothered to go up and down several flights .
Thirdly sloping driveway. 5 houses and never again, No way if it's steep. Icy frosty weather it's a pain. Some delivery companies won't deliver if it's steep. Putting bins out was a nightmare. I certainly developed strong upper arms and stomach muscles. Slippy when wet and a pain if trees nearby when they shed their leaves.
Fourthly. Even if it is immaculate you will change the decor to suit yourselves, so why not just do it in the first one which I think is the better option. It is closer to amenities and as the children get older you will appreciate them being close by within walking distance.
Last of all I wouldn't worry about it being North facing at the front. You can make it feel a lot lighter with decoration and furnishings. It will have a nice sunny back garden and offer a cool area at the front. If you meant it has a north facing back garden you will still get sun and shade in the back if it's a
decent enough side. The only gardens I hated were the two houses that had east facing by back gardens with no sun after mid afternoon. The houses that had north front or back were fine.
I hope this helps you. They always say Location, location, location.

HelebethH · 29/01/2023 13:47

Ah predictive text😡Meant were on our list

Julen7 · 29/01/2023 13:53

Lived in a 4 floor house for 18 months and just ended up loathing those stairs.

BreadInCaptivity · 29/01/2023 14:02

Houses with 4 floors can be a great set up depending on your circumstances (and how they are laid out) but tbh I think for most people the disadvantages outweigh the plus points.

For example I friends with teen children and for them it works really well as the children have their own floor at the top of the house.

The driver for me would be access to the local shops etc. Location as they say is everything and that's a clear reason why the smaller house is more expensive per square foot.

So on that also I'd go for the smaller house.

custardbear · 29/01/2023 14:02

First house, second sounds awful, driveway will be horrific, as will the stairs

Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:04

Thank you everyone for your input. I think you've confirmed my concerns! I was considering potentially putting in a small lift if we went for the 4 floor house but perhaps it's not worth it.

Annoyingly the immaculate house is exactly to our taste and so we genuinely wouldn't do any work but I guess that's not reason enough to buy the house!

Sorry yes the first house has a north facing garden with loads of trees surrounding so it did feel dark but when we renovate we will plan the lighting carefully to help with that. And I do agree being close to amenities is great, especially as the kids grow up. I have a 7 year old and a 2 year old but both mine and DH's parents are 75+ so starting to slow down so we need to take them into account.

Thanks again. You've been really helpful!!

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 29/01/2023 14:05

If neither one is ideal then I would keep looking.. But first house soinds better. Steep drive a no no.

Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:06

We have been looking for 9 months now and are paying a ridiculous amount of rent in the house we are currently in ☹️

OP posts:
CellophaneFlower · 29/01/2023 14:07

Hmmm it's a tricky one for me, as I tend to prioritise space and 50% is significantly bigger. Is it just the high street that's a drive away, are there any nearby shops at all?

It seems not to be that bad for elderly relatives, if the main things they'll need they can access without stairs.

CellophaneFlower · 29/01/2023 14:10

Oh and I forgot about the garden. House 1 would almost certainly be ruled out for me, but garden orientation is a massive priority to me, to you it might not be a big deal.

Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:11

Oh the other thing is the first house is on a cul de sac with only 2 other houses and the garden backs onto a school field - I love both of these factors

OP posts:
Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:11

Ughhh why can't the perfect house just come up 🤣

OP posts:
CellophaneFlower · 29/01/2023 14:13

insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:11

Oh the other thing is the first house is on a cul de sac with only 2 other houses and the garden backs onto a school field - I love both of these factors

This is a massive plus. How far is school? Is it walking distance from house 1 but not 2? Is this primary? If so, what about secondary?

Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:15

So it's not walking distance unfortunately but about a 5 min drive (30 min walk). It's an all through school up until 18.

We could walk but there's not a proper pavement so not that easy but as kids get older they could cycle!

OP posts:
Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 29/01/2023 14:19

The only people who enjoyed our four floor ‘town house’ were the cats, who chased each other up and down them. For everyone else, they were a pain.

CellophaneFlower · 29/01/2023 14:22

insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:15

So it's not walking distance unfortunately but about a 5 min drive (30 min walk). It's an all through school up until 18.

We could walk but there's not a proper pavement so not that easy but as kids get older they could cycle!

Is that house 1 or 2?

Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:24

House 1

OP posts:
Original poster
insomniac1 · 29/01/2023 14:24

House 2 is a 15 min drive.

OP posts:
Imogensmumma · 29/01/2023 14:27

House 1 easily , small cul de sac and close to amenities. As your kids get older being close to School and shops will become more and more important.

CellophaneFlower · 29/01/2023 14:28

If house 2 is a 15 min drive taking into account school traffic, this isn't that bad, taking into account house 1 isn't an easy walk.

MrsMoastyToasty · 29/01/2023 14:31

Keep looking!

PinkPanther50 · 29/01/2023 14:34

House 1. 4 floors sounds like an absolute nightmare

RidingMyBike · 29/01/2023 14:35

I'd go for amenities close by and fewer floors! It makes life so much easier if you can just pop out to shops or whatever without having to drive there.

Currently renting a three storey house and there is NO WAY I'd do this again, or even contemplate a four storey one! It does depend a little on which room is on which floor but ours is so impractical and I hate it - the living room is a floor above the kitchen so if you want a drink whilst watching a film you have to traipse up and down the stairs. The bedrooms are two floors above the kitchen so something as simple as brushing teeth after breakfast and before going out becomes a big annoyance.

We have just bought what is technically a 3 storey house(!) BUT the top floor is a loft conversion that'll be used as a spare room so I'll be up those stairs once a week or less.

RandomMess · 29/01/2023 14:44

Does the 50% bigger include all those stairs and landings? That isn't usable space.

Having to drive everywhere is hideous.