Good school versus big house

[JolleyRunner]

Trying to decide whether we should buy smaller a house in a nice area that's excellent for state schools, or in a not-as-nice area where the schools are average at best and we can get a bigger house for the money. In the area that's good for schools, we can afford a terraced 4 bed. In the not-as-nice area can afford a detached 4-5 bed. Currently living in a 3 bed semi in the not-as-nice area. We have a nearly 3 year old and are planning one more child. Thoughts/experiences appreciated...

We sold our house before renting. Didn't need to have rented for a year.

@dennent In Bucks you would have done for most grammars. So it’s not always a great idea unless parents read admissions info.

Yes, agree with @TizerorFizz you need to read the admissions policies with a fine tooth comb. When moving areas (and not being able to co-ordinate sale & purchase due to area) we went into rented, but had to have at least a 12 month tenancy agreement and proof of disposal of owned property to support new address in catchment. Also for grammar schools here (I know that is a way off but just to answer a point further up this thread) its the address you have when you register to take the entrance exam (often in Year 5) which is used, and if in rented, you had to show that you were still there in December of Yr 7 (to stop people using temporary rented accommodation to play the system).

Also just to add - check the sibling policy in the admission criteria - lots of schools have put measures in place to stop people getting a place for the oldest child and then moving out of catchment. If you look at the Education boards on here, there are regularly posts from people where people have got 1 child into a school, moved slightly further away then there's been a change in the sibling policy meaning their 2nd child doesn't get sibling priority, it just goes on distance / catchment and they don't get in ending up with 2 children in different schools.