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Original poster

Small house in nice area or bigger house in decent area?

95 replies

Marghe87 · 04/02/2023 19:24

DH and I are considering options for our first house. We work in London and need good
commute and good schools as we have a toddler DD.
Budget is limited considering the costs of SE so we ca either afford a small 2 bed in a very nice area (very small and with maximum budget) or a slighthly bigger property in a not so nice area.
We recently went to see a couple of “not so nice areas” and realised we don’t feel particularly excited about living in a place like that, even though we’d be able to get a slightly better house.
I do worry though that DD might not enjoy growing up in a small house (I did and always wanted more space) despite the more “premium” location. Equally, I think the area you live in makes a huge difference in the overall quality of life.

DH and I are late 30s and although we earn a hood wage, we are not on high paying careers so our earning potential is relatively limited (what I mean is that we wouldn’t be able to magically upgrade to a bigger house within a few years unless we manage to gain a huge amount of equity because of house prices increases).

What would you do/what did you do if you were in a similar situation? I’d like to hear what is it you compromised on if you had a relatively limited budget.

For reference, budget is £480K max and nice areas I am referring to are Weybridge, Hersham, Esher and surroundings.
Less nice areas are some parts of Redhill and Sutton.

OP posts:
Nsky62 · 04/02/2023 22:53

Tonbridge ( note not Tunbridge wells) is good, esp near the station about 40 mins to London, fairly good area

JoonT · 04/02/2023 23:05

trader21c · 04/02/2023 20:03

Always the nicer area without a doubt

I agree. So long as it remains a nice area! Unfortunately, that is something you can’t control. You can’t control how many houses are built, or who moves into them. When I moved here, for example, it was a quiet village. In the last ten years, however, so many houses and flats have been built that my village is now more like a town. The traffic is beyond a joke (we can’t be far off having to book time slots to use the roads), night and day I can hear the banging and exploding of modified exhausts, and ‘problem families’ from the new estates are making people’s lives a misery. It’s terrifying how quickly an area can go downhill.

Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 08:54

@Nearlyamumoftwo over there we could either afford a spacious 2 bed or a modest 3 bed - we need to be near the station and ideally town centre so I wouldn’t be looking at bigger houses that are situated in more remote parts of Sutton (I saw some beautiful properties driving around but being so remote doesn’t suit our lifestyle)

OP posts:
Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 08:55

@Nsky62 that area is not great for DH’a commute and overall we decided we’d probably prefer to stay around Surrey as that’s where the majority of our friends are and also DH’s family. We just feel more familiar with the area

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Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:01

@nca89 I completely see your point and that’s why I am struggling. We currently live in a very desirable area which probably reflects what you are saying re the coffee shop culture etc. But it does suit our lifestyle and we feel very sad with the idea of moving away from it. We don’t use our car much unless it’s needed, we walk a lot and like having amenities close by, cute cafes etc, we really get enjoyment out of all that so whilst I appreciate it might seem superficial for some, for us it’s important as it affects our overall lifestyle and mood as we step out the door.
If it was only the 2 of us, I would definitely have no doubts and choose a small house in the best possible location. But having DD makes me wonder whether she will resent us for the lack of space as she gets older.
I appreciate that selling and upgrading is still an option potentially, but not something we could do within a short timeframe and I don’t want to make a choice just based on that.

OP posts:
FurierTransform · 05/02/2023 09:02

If the less nice areas are still objectively not that bad, I'd do that. Having enoigh space to live is a massive quality of life bonus.. Is it a Waitrose vs Sainsburys situation, or Waitrose vs Iceland?

OliviaFlaversham · 05/02/2023 09:02

We have downgraded area for an upgraded house and so happy we did. Have foregone a train station but gained woodland on our doorstep. Children have more space which has made a huge difference to them and us!

It is regularly described as an up and coming area which we can see it is but patience is going to be needed for some amenities.

ShandaLear · 05/02/2023 09:02

I think you’re asking the wrong question. I’d be more interested in being in the area that’s most commutable and has the best schools and amenities, because those at the things that will have the biggest impact on your quality of life.

Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:03

@ShandaLear all of those areas are good in terms of schools, amenities and train connections

OP posts:
BearKey · 05/02/2023 09:04

Have you thought about West Byfleet? We moved to London to Hersham to a small house, and a few years later moved to the West Byfleet area as we got a lot more for our money. It's not as posh as Hersham / Esher, but still very nice.

Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:05

@FurierTransform We are talking cute Surrey village with lots of green spaces, nice cafes, cute houses, etc vs slightly more run down high streets, overall feeling of a town being a bit “rough” (althought not dangerous) with a few more council blocks, more cheap takeaways type shops on the highstreet etc

OP posts:
IheardYouButDontWantToAnswer · 05/02/2023 09:06

Have you heard of the programme Location, Location, Location? Area is always the most important factor.

A friend of mine lives in the only detached house on a really scruffy street, surrounded by factories and a lot of council flats. She can't sell it.

Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:06

@BearKey yes, I have, although when I check on RM I can’t see much for that budget whereas Walton/Hersham seem to have the odd 2 bed cottage every now and then. Will keep checking though!

OP posts:
Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:07

@IheardYouButDontWantToAnswer yes I think that’s a very good point re the seeling.
Although the less nice areas I am referring to are not very dodgy or unsafe, just less pretty overall with a few more rundown streets

OP posts:
Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:08

@IheardYouButDontWantToAnswer selling

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BookwormButNoTime · 05/02/2023 09:08

Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:01

@nca89 I completely see your point and that’s why I am struggling. We currently live in a very desirable area which probably reflects what you are saying re the coffee shop culture etc. But it does suit our lifestyle and we feel very sad with the idea of moving away from it. We don’t use our car much unless it’s needed, we walk a lot and like having amenities close by, cute cafes etc, we really get enjoyment out of all that so whilst I appreciate it might seem superficial for some, for us it’s important as it affects our overall lifestyle and mood as we step out the door.
If it was only the 2 of us, I would definitely have no doubts and choose a small house in the best possible location. But having DD makes me wonder whether she will resent us for the lack of space as she gets older.
I appreciate that selling and upgrading is still an option potentially, but not something we could do within a short timeframe and I don’t want to make a choice just based on that.

As the mother of teen girls, they don’t worry at all about space so long as their bedroom isn’t a shoebox and there’s room for a sleepover. What they do care about is having independence and friends nearby. Being able to meet friends for a Starbucks, go to the cinema and great transport links are key to happy teenagers!!!!

midgetastic · 05/02/2023 09:11

Location location location

But it's not the most expensive area - indeed they often suggest a good location that's moving the right way rather than the poshest area

The area has to work for you and your future you - young couples buying in a vibrant area then turning into small family find they need different things from their area

Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:11

@BookwormButNoTime thank you! Things is, all these areas more or less offer that. It’s just the overall town vibe of slightly run down vs cute that I am unsure about.
I’s rather picture her as a teen in a nicer and potentially safer town but again, it doesn’t mean the other places would be dangerous, just not as desirable

OP posts:
Michellexxx · 05/02/2023 09:13

I would always go area too. Are there any that offer options for loft conversion etc in the future? Then you could look to staying in the nice area with the potential to add a bedroom without moving costs/jump on price?

Nearlyamumoftwo · 05/02/2023 09:19

Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 08:54

@Nearlyamumoftwo over there we could either afford a spacious 2 bed or a modest 3 bed - we need to be near the station and ideally town centre so I wouldn’t be looking at bigger houses that are situated in more remote parts of Sutton (I saw some beautiful properties driving around but being so remote doesn’t suit our lifestyle)

Yes some beautiful houses if you go a bit further out! Although I commute into central london most days and door to desk is an hour - I don’t live in the town centre, so a reasonable commute is do-able without living right in the centre, which probably isn’t a great place to live. Esher, Merstham into central london much more than an hour

nca89 · 05/02/2023 09:19

If it was only the 2 of us, I would definitely have no doubts and choose a small house in the best possible location. But having DD makes me wonder whether she will resent us for the lack of space as she gets older.I appreciate that selling and upgrading is still an option potentially, but not something we could do within a short timeframe and I don’t want to make a choice just based on that.

Our bigger house has meant we've got them a second living room which is great for having them not confined to their rooms but still in their own space. Teens value space as do we!!

When people come on to these threads they take it SO literally like you're saying live in a gang land or gated community. It's much more nuanced than that, as with everything that comes with house buying it needs to be a compromise depending on your lifestyle needs and budget.

I agree with prioritising (especially for teens) the ability to walk to places, go to Starbucks, cinema, a Saturday job, we did too going from our pretty village to a not trendy town; but this lifestyle can be achieved in plenty of less trendy areas. I don't know the places you mention, but from what you've said it doesn't sound like you need to blow your budget and lose space to avoid the cheapest area.

The "location" brigade drive me crazy because it's an oversimplification of a nuanced topic and really depends on what the locations offer.

Appleblum · 05/02/2023 09:20

The more you post the clearer it becomes that you prefer the nicer location. I'd say go for it then.

Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:22

@nca89 yes exactly, that’s why despite having a clear personal preference for a nicer location, I still don’t think it’s an easy choice at all when I factor in DD’s future needs

OP posts:
Original poster
Marghe87 · 05/02/2023 09:24

@Nearlyamumoftwo not sure if our budget would get us that though… do you walk to the station? I don’t drive and with schools pick ups, I’d need to be somewhere where I can easily walk between home/school/station

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Mummyme87 · 05/02/2023 09:25

I live in Sutton and can’t wait to move out. I have two children and don’t want to bring them up here. I don’t feel safe here and I don’t think we live in a bad area if sutton