Moving dilemma

[lineandsinker]

I’m a single parent to a 4yo and I currently own a 2-bed flat in a desirable seaside location. 10 mins walk from the beach, 10 min walk to high street and 20 min walk to woods. I also have a shared garden and my own front door. I love it, though am constrained by lack of dining space (we have a tiny square table), kitchen size (galley) and bathroom size (no room for bath).

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2-bed house further inland - same town, around a mile further in. Has same size bedrooms but bigger bathroom, bigger kitchen, dining room, own garden, and opportunity to extend in the future. However, I don’t know the area very well. From speaking to friends, it had a ‘reputation’ around 15 years ago (it was predominantly council at this time and is now about 60/40 split in favour of private ownership) but seems to have settled in recent years. It’s not the worst area, by any means, but it seems to be just ‘okay’. I’ve checked out crime rates and they seem to be average. I’ve also driven around a few times during the week and in evenings and there is nothing that raises alarm bells.

The price is really at the top of what I can afford to move to an house and I’m limited on areas due to needing the proximity to DS’s Dad and schools, etc. I’m at the ceiling of my earnings now (teacher - top of UPS, no desire to progress higher) so I know that this is really towards the top end of my budget.

I really don’t know what to do - the old adage is to buy the worst house on the best street which is what I’ve done with the flat and I do love the location. Equally, I’m also realistic that I will have to compromise on where I live in order to upgrade to a house and the area isn’t going to be as nice as where I am now.

Is it worth upgrading to a house or should I just find peace in my lot? Is your own garden and dining space really worth compromising on the area you live in with a child?

I would’ve looking at school catchment areas to compare the two areas (primary & secondary unless you intend to move again in a few years time)

@Twiglets1 Schools are not an issue - low birth rate currently so my school of choice is only marginally further away and the catchment school is my second choice.

Secondary wise, it’s same catchment for the local secondary but my area is very grammar heavy so he may go there if he meets the academic requirements.

Many people find they don't use shared gardens much, is that the case with you? That would be a factor I would consider as with your own garden you do tend to use them more.

Looking forward, as your child grows, it may be that having more space takes greater priority over location. But for now you seem to be content, so maybe you don't need to trade up just yet? As property prices will tend to move in tandem, you may find that you can afford the same type of house in a few years' time, and there may be more houses on the market at that point. (The market in my area is a bit stuck due to limited supply - although everywhere is different.)

It’s shared between 6 flats, so no. I hang my washing out in it and that’s about it. I walk down to the park at the bottom of my
road when DS needs a run around.

That’s a really good point. There doesn’t seem a lot on where I am, either. Something like 8 houses within a 2.5 mile radius in my price range.

I found as my sons got older gardens were less useful. Unless they are massive of course. But small gardens are annoying as you can't cycle, can't kick a ball around for fear of breaking things, and can't run around.
I favour living near a park. We live minutes from a park and spent so much time with balls and bikes there. So useful.

Not sure where parks are in relation to these places you are talking about but just a view

Whereas I found having a garden meant they could be out there on their own, or with invited friends, and I, as an adult didn't need to be involved.

Then, once they get to be teens, they use it for BBQs and parties.

I'd go for the house, on the information you've given.

It's hard to say really what is better. Shared gardens can be amazing for kids, but it really depends on the set-up and neighbours. Also you have to wait till they're a bit older before they can go out alone. Is yours not very child friendly?
With our own private garden I found that the kids will go out quite a bit if there's stuff outside to play with from quite an early age (3-4 ish). If your child is self sufficient it's nice, but my eldest would never go out alone so it was a massive pita until she got a sibling.

There’s no gate either side of the garden so not enclosed. Not a big deal as I have to supervise him due to being a top floor flat. It’s not a huge garden but big enough to kick a ball around in. It’s not an issue with neighbours as they rarely use it, or if they do, it’s to sit out and eat dinner in during the summer.

The layout of my flat is another issue - the kitchen is at the back of the flat in one corner, whereas my living room is at the front in the opposite corner. Problematic when I’m trying to cook as I have to leave my son unattended and he gets grumpy about it. Only just reminded of that as it’s been hard work to cook dinner tonight!

That’s a good point to bear in mind as he gets older. I think it’s the lack of knowledge of the area that’s making me question it. But, it’s going to be the same whenever I decide to move as I can’t afford to live in the areas I know well.

The nearest playground to me is a 10 min walk but within a 3 min walk there is a wide green overlooking the sea which runs for a mile along the main road. We utilised this a lot in the summer for bike riding practice and ball games.

There is a playground and large green space a 2 min walk from the proposed house I’m looking at.

I'd go for the house. Sounds like you need the space, and has your son grows, he can play in the garden without needing as much supervision.

I moved to a less desirable place 25 years ago, again ex council. It was fantastic and we only moved because we had too many kids for the size of house. My friends bought it and are still there, 12 years later. Go off your gut, reputations can stick long after the 'trouble makers' have gone.

I'd say this isn't the best time to buy, and you aren't in a massive hurry. How long have you been looking? Maybe spend the next year exploring the local areas a bit more, spend time is the less nice area at the weekend, seek out local contacts familiar with it to talk to. You'll be paying off more capital (so more deposit). Prices aren't supposed to start rising for the next year or so.

As you’re a teacher, do you know anyone who teaches the kids from the new area? What are their comments?

I think the garden situation will very much depend on how your DS is as he grows. If he becomes football mad then a small garden will be useless to him anyway (I assume most 2 beds would have a modest garden). So I would not move because of the garden quite yet.

Bathroomwise, we've been without a bath since eldest was 3 and honestly it hasn't been an issue. Now at 4 & 9 it's actually more efficient to just shower. The kids occasionally say they want a bath, but the faff and having to stay in the room since youngest can't be left alone puts me off trying to reconfigure the bathroom (we'd have to move doors).

I think the galley kitchen is probably the biggest issue, since it's nice to be able to have the kids play or craft next to you when you cook. But as your DS is 4 you might find that sooner rather than later he starts playing in his room or watching TV. My 9 year old is rarely in the kitchen when I cook anymore, but I guess there's 2 of them so your DS might like to be around you for longer.

It's a tricky decision. In your shoes I'd spend a bit more time exploring the areas where you could afford a house. Maybe take your DS and play in the local parks, playgrounds, etc. You might meet some parents who could give you local info.

And finally think about how both areas stack up for teens. I know it feel ages, but they grow fast! 😄

I’ve been looking on and off for about 6 months but never seriously, as there just isn’t much about within my price range. I’ve viewed about 5 properties in this time but this is the first time I’ve liked somewhere: it doesn’t need major work and ticks all my boxes, so to speak (besides the unknowns about the area).

DS is a very active boy - not sure about the football, as despite much of his family being football mad, he’s not shown an interest as of yet. He loves nature and pottering around outside.

I think the bath issue comes from the fact that his Dad has a bath! I very occasionally would like to have a bath on a Friday night after a taxing week but it’s really not a deal breaker.

I’d say my current area is possibly better for teens due to proximity to beach, high street and train station but other area is close to bus stop, big open space and the woods. But what do teens need? I was a socially awkward hermit teen so wasn’t clamouring to be out all of the time.

I think for older children it's important that they can get around without a car so you are less of a chauffeur service. A safe route to school is good too, once they're 10 or 11 for the same reason.

Location, location, location IMO.

Would your life be better stretching your finances to a bigger home but with potentially less disposable income, or the current house and perhaps a greater disposable income?

Your location sounds perfect. By not moving could you afford a weekend away once a while to enjoy the luxury of a hotel bath?