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Original poster

Crazy to choose objectively 'worse' house

46 replies

Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 09:11

Dh, DD and I are moving house, yes it's a crazy time but we need to move and thankfully are financially able to do so.

We are stuck between two properties (same price) both nice areas with good schools.

A) semi detached, 4 bed, 2 bath, no garage, lovely garden,

B) detached, 5 bed, 1 bath and large garage, smaller but still decent garden.

On paper house B seems better and I worry we would regret not going for it but my heart leans to house A.

DH happy with either, we can't have any more babies due to a medical condition so DD will be our only.

Is it crazy to choose the semi, I see so many threads where people say you should always get detached if it's an option.

OP posts:
Evenstar · 22/06/2023 09:19

I would always choose a detached house if possible, and if you are unlikely to move again a small garden would be easier to manage later in life. You could always add another bathroom or use a bedroom as a dressing room with the extra space.

pendleflyer · 22/06/2023 09:20

if your heart is with and husband fine with that I'd go for that.
Can a garage be added to it later?

Have never quite understood the obsession in some quarters with being separate. Maybe I'm odd (and am in a terrace) but I like the idea of having as little wall area exposed to the elements as possible. As long as I have plenty of light.

pendleflyer · 22/06/2023 09:21

>>If your heart is with

I meant A

PuttingDownRoots · 22/06/2023 09:23

Depends why you like the other house better. We chose an old 3 bed semi detached over a new build 4 bed with garage, extra bathroom etc... but it was better school catchment, better size rooms, better garden, less claustrophobic, better public transport.... and just felt right.

NetballHoop · 22/06/2023 09:23

I'd much rather be detached if possible. Though I do think a 5 bedroom house needs more than one bathroom. Is there scope to add another?

Theunamedcat · 22/06/2023 09:25

You need another bathroom even with one child

HippeePrincess · 22/06/2023 09:27

I wouldn’t want no garage, however I wouldn’t want less than 2 bathrooms either. Being attached to another property doesn’t bother me in the slightest.

WittynotPretty · 22/06/2023 09:29

Go for B. You can add a bathroom and change the garden. In future you may not have the time or energy to keep up with a large garden and, being realistic, how much would you use it? Small children don’t need a huge garden. Older children generally won’t use it that much. A wrap around garden is generally much more private. There’s always somewhere that isn’t overlooked by neighbours when you want it. You’ll easily grow into the space. and a garage is so useful!
A sounds like it’s reached the limit of what can be done inside and you can’t magically choose your semi- detached neighbours. They may become your best friends or worst nightmare.

Original poster
Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 09:30

PuttingDownRoots · 22/06/2023 09:23

Depends why you like the other house better. We chose an old 3 bed semi detached over a new build 4 bed with garage, extra bathroom etc... but it was better school catchment, better size rooms, better garden, less claustrophobic, better public transport.... and just felt right.

The garden I think, it's stunning and has fantastic views, me and Dd both adore being outside.

Garden for the detached house is perfectly nice but more enclosed and far less scope!

Some really good pints to think about

OP posts:
onthefence23 · 22/06/2023 09:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

onthefence23 · 22/06/2023 09:31

WittynotPretty · 22/06/2023 09:29

Go for B. You can add a bathroom and change the garden. In future you may not have the time or energy to keep up with a large garden and, being realistic, how much would you use it? Small children don’t need a huge garden. Older children generally won’t use it that much. A wrap around garden is generally much more private. There’s always somewhere that isn’t overlooked by neighbours when you want it. You’ll easily grow into the space. and a garage is so useful!
A sounds like it’s reached the limit of what can be done inside and you can’t magically choose your semi- detached neighbours. They may become your best friends or worst nightmare.

This is true and something I think about, even if whoever is there now is lovley you never know who'll move in down the line

QuintanaRoo · 22/06/2023 09:31

I went for a semi as I could get a bigger house for the same money and a nicer area.

but for you it sounds like the detached is still big and in a good area.

so what is it about the semi you prefer? If it’s just cosmetic I’d go for the detached.

I can hear my neighbours through the walls at times and we are a halls together semi so probably less noise than most. But he has an annoying sound bar on his tv which vibrates through my head and makes me feel physically sick.

you could always post links. 😀

2chocolateoranges · 22/06/2023 09:32

Go with your heart.

I don’t see the big issue with a house being detached. We live in a terraced house and have no issues with noise.

id definitely go with the more bathrooms as we only have one and it’s a hassle when everyone is getting ready to go out at the one time.

Rainbowqueeen · 22/06/2023 09:34

Are they really the only 2 options? I think I’d keep looking

Aldo you haven’t said anything about their locations or how much work they need. I’d be taking this into account too.

And finally what way do the gardens face? A smaller south facing garden will get more use than a larger north facing garden

MrsFinkelstein · 22/06/2023 09:34

I'm in a semi-detached, I grew up in an end-terraced. Most of my friends are in semi's.

I didn't realise it was slightly frowned upon?

The one time we lived in a detached house with large garden we got burgled 3 times - once while I was at the bottom of said garden 😬.

I'd say go for the house you love. It's going to be your home.

QuintanaRoo · 22/06/2023 09:34

Post about the garden. My semi has a massive garden and one thing which sold it to us. In reality we use less than half of it, it’s a pain to mow all the grass. We’ve let a third of it go fairly feral. Dd once she got to about 9yo stopped playing out in it. Even when she did play in it she didn’t need all the space.

DibbleDooDah · 22/06/2023 09:34

Ask yourself if you are buying a house or a garden. It sounds like the garden is what’s swinging it for you.

I am a huge believer in gut reaction. You just know when a house is “the one”.

Tadpolle · 22/06/2023 09:36

Both houses meet your needs and sound lovely. I think in this situation I would go with my heart if no big factor like a better school was swaying the choice.

The 2 bathrooms and lovelier garden would strongly attract me to house A personally.

Original poster
Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 09:36

Rainbowqueeen · 22/06/2023 09:34

Are they really the only 2 options? I think I’d keep looking

Aldo you haven’t said anything about their locations or how much work they need. I’d be taking this into account too.

And finally what way do the gardens face? A smaller south facing garden will get more use than a larger north facing garden

No lots of options on the market but these are the favourites,

Both similar decorative standard, dated and need updating but no structural work likely (hard to be sure without surveys)

We're specifically looking for a project house as I love diy stuff and following a bereavement and secondary infertility I want to get stuck into this as something positive to focus on

OP posts:
onthefence23 · 22/06/2023 09:37

MrsFinkelstein · 22/06/2023 09:34

I'm in a semi-detached, I grew up in an end-terraced. Most of my friends are in semi's.

I didn't realise it was slightly frowned upon?

The one time we lived in a detached house with large garden we got burgled 3 times - once while I was at the bottom of said garden 😬.

I'd say go for the house you love. It's going to be your home.

I didn't until I joined Mumsnet. I've never lived in a detached house so maybe I don't know what I'm missing Grin

ChateauMargaux · 22/06/2023 09:38

It sounds like they are both good choices.

As a family of three, two bedrooms and one bathroom would be plenty.. additional guest and office space is a bonus.

Garages are mostly used for storage, a large garden will give you options to create storage space.

Many many people live in apartments, terraced houses and semi detached properties so if it feels OK, go for it.

You describe the garden and the views with passion.... there are always compromises with houses, better houses for higher prices and opinions that differ from yours. If the garden and views are what you want and you do not have a strong opinion about the neighbour issue.. go for the one you love.

Original poster
Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 09:39

I'm glad a few people think heart at least! I can't stress how much of an outside person I am so it really is the garden that sways it, we're going to do second viewings of both and drive by on Saturday night to check for things like noise etc

OP posts:
Beachywave · 22/06/2023 09:39

Well you don't need five bedrooms for three people so I'd go with the one with the nicer garden... no brainer!

Lochroy · 22/06/2023 09:40

Semis aren't frowned upon, it's just that (as with flats) once you've had a problem with noise from neighbours, you'll do everything you possibly can to avoid

MissGroves · 22/06/2023 09:42

After living beside the neighbours from hell for the last 3 years (on a good day we can have them drilling at 2am in the morning and woken by their alarm that goes for an hour every day at around 6am) I would totally take the detached. Doesn’t stop you having awful neighbours but may reduce slightly the intrusion and stress.