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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:

BoohooWoohoo · 22/06/2023 09:47

If I bought B I would have to add a second bathroom. I live with teens and it's been invaluable especially in the mornings. Would that mean one of the bedrooms being sacrificed?

I used to live in a semi but live in a detached now. Not being able to hear the neighbour or worry about disturbing the neighbour is priceless. If the house is very soundproofed and you live next to someone very quiet then that's great but I wouldn't want to bet on luck

NotEverORNever · 22/06/2023 09:50

Nice garden and a view would have a lot of value to me.

I'm actually sitting in my nice garden with a nice view outside my not amazing house right now!

pendleflyer · 22/06/2023 10:02

good luck with your viewings jellybean.
do report back.
I'd resist any temptation/calls to post any identifying pics.

kublacant · 22/06/2023 10:09

One thing that stood out for me is that house A has a lovey view from the garden.

Not sure of these particular circumstances but one thing to bear in mind is that you can’t buy a view.

Thelastofbus · 22/06/2023 10:46

a lovely view would be a winner for me.

Original poster

Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 10:52

pendleflyer · 22/06/2023 10:02

good luck with your viewings jellybean.
do report back.
I'd resist any temptation/calls to post any identifying pics.

No, won't be posting any links as I've also shared them with friends and family lol and will end up living in one hopefully. I haven't changed usernames for this so I feel like it would be too easy to piece together with my other info

OP posts:

Original poster

Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 10:52

Thanks all some really good points and food for thought in the coming days and weeks!

OP posts:

Lemonclub88 · 22/06/2023 10:53

Had a house like property one for 2 adults and one child. It was a nightmare for upkeep and heating. It was out of the way too so I had to drive everywhere. Also one bathroom is something I'd not like.
I now have a 4 bed townhouse and a small garden sans ExH. Cleaning is a dream, the bills are far smaller and I have plenty of storage in the house so I don't miss the garage.
Go with your heart if you enjoy the garden. Good luck!

RandomMess · 22/06/2023 10:55

We have a view from our house and love it. Just space and blue skies.

Go for your heart!

RandomMess · 22/06/2023 10:56

Actually can the view be ruined by future building works by neighbours or a whole new housing development?

NowItsSpring · 22/06/2023 11:24

It would be A for me due to the large garden - we love being outdoors. Have you compared the bills / running costs for the two properties - would that make a difference?

NeverendingCircus · 22/06/2023 11:38

Go for the view! You will never tire of it. My DSis and her family, DBro and his family and DH and me all moved out of London to different corners of UK but we all chose homes with an amazing view. Twenty years on, we still all get a thrill when we look at our views. You cannot beat a beautiful view. It's a daily pleasure, it connects you with the seasons.

You don't need more than 4 beds - Yours, DD's, guest bed and study/store room. You will bneed 2 bathrooms when DD is a teen (well, not need but massive plus. Also when guests stay.) Cars don't need garages any more.

theemmadilemma · 22/06/2023 11:59

Jellybean85 · 22/06/2023 09:30

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

Show quote history

Given this, I would go with your heart.

We could have had bigger properties, but the outside space here is amazing and it was important to us. I've not regretted a single adjustment to having slightly less room inside, because it's cosy in winter and in fine weather we just immediately pour outside and spend all our time out there gardening and enjoying the space.

All that said, provided you can live with semi-detatched. Detatched was a must for us.

Frenchfancy · 22/06/2023 12:08

I would always go for the garden with a view. Is the link between garden and house good? I mean are there French doors or a big window so you can make the most of the garden from the house. I have a lovely big garden but can't really see it and appreciate it from the house.

Buffysoldersister · 22/06/2023 14:18

The fact the 4 bed semi is the same price as a 5 bed detached makes me think there must be more to it than a slightly nicer garden / view - is the area better / more popular? Rooms larger? I would go with your gut and buy the house you love (plus the 2 bathrooms!)

parietal · 22/06/2023 21:56

go with the garden and go with your heart. you don't need the extra space but it sounds like you will love the outdoors.

Sarah1217 · 23/06/2023 11:37

I think it depends on what type of detached house it is. I grew up in a country where detached is the norm and to me the benefits are space and privacy. They usually come with much larger gardens and are farther away from neighbours so you're not overlooked and you can't hear them when they're in their garden. If that's the kind of house you're buying I would go for it.

But I would not pay a premium for a detached house on an estate where there is only a few feet between your house and the neighbours. In those cases you still have all the disadvantages of a semi/terraced. The only difference is you don't share a wall and are able to tell people you live in a detached house (if that is something that is important to you).

Maddy70 · 23/06/2023 12:52

B definitely But see if you can add a downstairs loo

Twiglets1 · 23/06/2023 20:28

No, you’re not crazy.

The balance is wrong on the 5 bed 1 bath house. It would probably be advisable to turn one of the bedrooms into a second bathroom anyway. And obviously the garden is hugely important to you.

Second viewings will be useful. Another consideration is whether the gardens are south/west facing.

strawberry2017 · 23/06/2023 21:08

Personally detached over semi any day.
Imagine if the people you are attached to are awful - you are literally stuck!

PimpMyFridge · 23/06/2023 21:10

Go with your heart. Sounds like your quality of life will be better with the superior outdoor space if A. if being outside is important to you (would be to me too).
Unless the neighbours are a nightmare, hopefully you'll get chance to reccy that.
Heading costs will be lower in smaller house with one side insulated by being attracted..

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