Better the devil you know. Move, stay or wait for something else?

[Poppie2023]

Hi guys,

Sorry for the essay.

I would really appreciate your advise on this subject. I currently live in a Housing Association (HA) property in a Greater London borough. The area itself whilst has nice pockets, is quite grotty and congested. My house is a mid-terrace on a small cul de sac. It has a new build look albeit was actually built approx 20 years ago. The general upkeep of front gardens is a real let down by the residents as they don't seem much interested in sweeping or keeping bins orderly etc so only contributes to lowering the tone of what could be a very nice cul-de-sac. I get on well with my neighbour's although one very intrusive (but a small price to pay, could be worse) and the the small cul-de-sac whilst does have the very occasional minor issues, is generally okay. Anyway, I decided to put myself on homeswap very early on into my tenancy as i yearned to get back to a street property.

I have recently been contacted by someone wanting to swap their home with mine. Their property is an end of terrace, street property with roadside parking in a more desirable area. To the side of their property is an an alley and an overhead train that runs through. The property is on a residential road of homeowners and all mostly Victorian style properties which I love for the character. However, unlike my property which is ready to move straight in (and only needing decorating if they desire) , their property would require quite a lot of work, including the bathroom which is completely rundown and falling apart. (and I mean that with no disrespect to them)

The council tax band and rent is also higher than what I currently pay.

There is no rush for me to move but I also don't want to pass up opportunities that don't come around often but equally I don't want to rush with doubts although i understand you can't have everything. I have listed below the features both in my current property and in the property i would potentially swap to and would love if you could offer advise on what your pros and cons would be and what you would do in my situation.

CURRENT HOME
New build style
Double drive (one for me and the other for my neighbour)
No work required - good walls, clean lines, bathroom and kitchen very good condition (like new)
Cheaper rent and council tax
Fogot to mention fantastic transport links
Nice neighbour's although the lady next door is older and has health issues - (don't want to lose her).
Cul-de-sac - All social housing tenants, mostly all in work

HOME I WOULD SWAP TO
Older home (Victorian style property)
Road parking
Work required - new bathroom
Council tax and rent more expensive
Overhead nearby and tube station but not as great as the transport links where I live
End of terrace
Homeowners street
Better location, lovely residential roads surrounding

I would stay put. You may well have someone else want to swap in the future and the property offered sounds a lot worse than yours. New builds are cheaper to run - that Victorian property is probably going to be difficult to insulate and it may be damp. Then renovations in older properties can uncover issues. Look at the cost of new bathrooms people on here are spending at least £5k, do you have that in savings and can afford to spend it? If you mean road parking as opposed to your own space then definitely stay. One day you may have an electric car - how will you charge it parked on the road? Then the other house is more expensive rent and council tax too.

Honestly I would stay where you are.

Victorian homes are money pits and it sounds like you will have noise issues. Stay.

In your situation I would stay and wait for something better to come up. I appreciate that might take time but that house sounds like too many compromises and potentially a risk of regret if it’s cold, noisy, expensive to run.

@HugoDarracott Thank you for your advise, really appreciated. 5k to do up a bathroom doesn't appeal to me at all especially when my bathroom is practically new, and yes I meant giving up a drive to park on the street. @KievLoverTwo Thank you for your advise, I thought old victorian properties would have been better sound insulated than new builds if i'm honest, but i have heard some say they can be noisy. @Karmatime Yes the expense does play on my mind, and as there is no urgency to move it might be worth waiting as appose to taking a risk that I may later regret. Thank you for your advise.