Location vs detached

[Zombienotion]

Same size, same price, similar condition.

I like to be able to easily walk to everything I need and dislike using a car unless I really have to.

House 1
Semi-detached
2 mins to school, 7 to supermarket, 15 to work

House 2
Detached
25 mins to school and supermarket, 45 to work

WWYD?

It’s what you want isn’t it. It’s sounds like you want the detached where the semi detached is

We lived in a detached for 17 years and now live in a semi,Edwardian very thick walls. Have never heard the neighbours. On the other hand they probably hear our dog regularly!!

Also depends on the size and build of your semi detached. We live on a road with lots of large, 1930s semis (ours included) and I’ve never heard our neighbours ever! I don’t allow my own children to make excessive noise in our house so our neighbours won’t be disturbed by us, but I wouldn’t allow it in a detached either as screaming and shouting is unnecessary.

Garden-wise, unless you have lots of land, you’re going to be next to another neighbour at least, so I don’t really see the difference?

I’d rather be in a nice semi than a less nice detached (whatever your criteria)

Definitely go for location.

Thanks all for taking the time to reply!

@UpsyDaisyMegaphone thanks especially for your post. I should have done this maths. I think it makes the semi a done deal!

@aswarmofmidges and @DaisyWaldron very good points!

@Quitelikeit haha yes, I see what you mean! I’d potter round for hours a day if I could, but the times given are for me on my own and will probably need, at minimum, doubling with small kids in tow. My current 5 minute stroll to nursery has been known to take over an hour with the 2yo stopping to pick up every stick, conker and dangerous piece of rubbish en route… 😂

@Persipan I think you’re right in that reading too much on MN has made me feel like I SHOULD go for the detached, given that it’s an option. In reality, we’ve been in a one-bed flat in London for years, so have always had multiple neighbours attached! Apart from the occasional party, it’s never been an issue. However, I have absolutely loved being within spitting distance of almost everywhere I want to go.

I was in the same situation and chose location. I love that I can walk to shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, dentist, chemist, schools etc. for me I've future proofed also as I have everything I need. Luckily my neighbours are lovely and the house is very private- long drive with thick hedges in between. We never see them.

If the houses are otherwise equal (eg both in an estate) then I'd go for the semi detached.

If the detached house had other advantages like a bigger garden, long driveway or more privacy then I'd go for the detached.

Is there another option? There are so many properties up for sale in my city at the moment and there will probably be many more soon.

After my last (probably atypical) experience I will never share walls again. I'm detached and it is honestly blissful.

Semi. Detached is just paying more for heating bills.

House 1.

But.

It depends what the neighbours and immediate area is like at night.

We've bought a semi, and I'm not happy with the area. I'd rather a skinny terrace back in the area I used to live, a few moves ago.