Nice house, rubbish parking...

[Tatiepot]

Just that, I've found an otherwise perfect house (location, size, cost) in an old part of town which is known for parking problems. But there is a public car park five mins away that apparently some of the neighbours use...

Cannot decide if this is a compromise worth making (it's just me and DC10).

Thoughts?

London is very different to other parts of the country. Generally, you'll have far superior public transport options and also, generally, you'll have more facilities (shops, schools, parks, hospitals, etc) within a shorter radius of your home. All due to the population density (helped by better public finances to subsidise transport and higher wages etc). You can't really compare London with most other places in the UK.

Personally it would be a dealbreaker for me. I like to be able to see my car from the house and know it’s there and ok if there’s an emergency.

I have to park in a car park about 3 mins walk away. The good thing though is that I can park outside my house for 20 mins and there’s normally a space so it’s fine for loading and unloading. Otherwise it’d be a real pain.

Lots of really good points thank you everybody. Part of the reason for moving is to use the car less (currently very rural), this house is in the old centre of town so everywhere is walkable. Car park is well lit and £120 a year for residents, dropping stuff/DC off wouldn't be a problem (even if slightly annoying), and there is some parking just not much so I'd get a space sometimes, just probably not all the time. Selling might be an issue as you say, but that's possibly why it's within budget...Hmmm, maybe need to try parking five mins from current house as PP suggests...

It really depends on how often you use the car. I use mine 2/3 times/week so it wouldn't particularly bother me (you'll want to do your main food shop online)

For those insisting it will affect the resale value of your property that's just not likely - it's already factored into the price and also will be understood by people wanting to buy there.

Another Londoner here so I don't really understand why people are adamant that it's obviously going to be disastrous. I understand that Londoners have good transport etc but the OP hasn't said where she lives so likely that's the same in the 'old city centre' she's discussing?? Also, good for kids to learn to navigate and not be driven door to door all the time - DC in question is 10

Another Londoner here so I don't really understand why people are adamant that it's obviously going to be disastrous

I live in a rural town and it's still fine. I think it's pretty insane that people can't countenance being 5 minutes from their car. Deliveries, visitors, carrying sleeping children, all non-issues.

@Duttercup agree.

I live in the middle of nowhere. Could park in my garden if I wanted.

But I park about a five minute walk across a field and muddy paths in a shed.

So the car never needs defrosted, and isn't rubbed by cattle and sheep.

We have car shoes and walk wellies. We shop, carry kids, never a problem,

Of course everyone's circumstances are different, but it is completely insane not to buy a house because it would be a bit of a walk from the car park, and that might be harder if, at some unspecified time in the future, you develop a medical condition you don't currently have, even though you could still do the walk, you would just be a bit tireder.

Why stop there? Better make sure the garden's dog-proof, OP. OK, you don't have a dog at the moment, but what if you go blind and need a guide-dog?

Is the front door a bit stiff? Oh, no - what if your arms fall off, and you can't turn the handle?

@MissLucyEyelesbarrow ha, I think some posts are a bit catastrophising BUT I would say as a lone parent, who has unexpectedly come down with a chronic illness, I really value being able to park close to my house and my job. I would now really struggle if I couldn't.

I think it is more of a consideration if you are solely responsible for your child.

But just this week I had to take Ds to hospital and he couldn't walk from an injury in sports. Illnesses and injuries happen and it is less convenient if you can't park. It's just a thing to weigh up. For some it's a deal breaker. For others it isn't. But as I say, if you have no support network or partner and you have a child, I think it's really important to have accessible transport.

I couldn't do it! I had friends who couldn't park in their street and it was a stress to the every day!

I'd check to see the incidence of vehicle related crime in the postcode. A five minute walk is fine with an older child imo, although it is a chew with shopping or carrying anything really. At least if you've got a car park you're not going to be pissing around trying to find a space every single time you come back from somewhere; it's the never having eyes on your car for the whole time you're at home that would worry me. Cars left overnight in car parks do get vandalised and stolen, which is why I'd be wanting to know how frequently it happens in that particular place.

The car park might not remain though. So many boroughs are facing financial crisis . I know a couple of town centre well situated carparks that are now flats ...

Good point. Councils are increasingly 'discouraging' car use - while failing to ensure decent public transport.

Your car insurance will be higher too