Can’t decide big garden/small house or small garden/big house

[Sparkles2295]

Hey all,

just wondering what option others would go for. We are a family of 4 2 adults and 2 children. Currently in a 3 bedroom corner house which has some awkward shape. We’re looking to move and stuck between 2 homes.
A 4 bedroom plus study town house on the ground floor there is no storage option only living room kitchen and WC. Long narrow garden no driveway. As the mortgage will be higher won’t be able to do anything to the house for a long time. House have a garage that isn’t attached to the home.

second option 3 bedroom with driveway and big garden will be brand new as a new build can choose all our options and upgrades. Rooms are the same size what we have now and a downstairs we and storage cupboard

we really are stuck both are nice in the own ways

thank You

2nd house. No storage would drive me insane.

New builds are notoriously badly made these days. Too focused on profit not durability. I would avoid them.

Neither house sounds quite right for you. Hold out for the right one.

House with big garden if you want to add a garden room for an office, gym, kids space.

I would go for the bigger house without a doubt (although maybe not this one if it doesn't feel a good fit?). As our children aged the garden didn't get played in and it was just a lot of work. Where they really needed (their own) space was indoors.

What size is the garden in new build?

Storage and garden. Every time.
I would avoid a new build though, so maybe keep looking.

Big house and big garden, is my preference ideally! Sorry, no help whatsoever. What is the market like in your area, can you keep looking? I am part of the MN hive mind when it comes to new builds unfortunately - not for me at all, for many reasons.

However, I am not you, and if you only have these 2 options and need to make a decision quickly, get the new build.

We did big house, small garden but it’s not actually that small of a garden just manageable. We both hybrid so need wfh specs and just don’t really like gardening.

Are you planning more children? Do either of you wfh or plan to with a future job move? Do you drive and is there parking with the big house? Is there enough parking if you stay there for 20 years and you (and some neighbours) have teenagers and young adults living at home and driving their own car? Do you prefer cleaning or gardening?

2nd is better for me as I couldn't stand a town house. But is there a lot of point in moving to a same sized house just because of awkward room shapes? Location?

Why the hurry if neither are quite right? If storage and space are your priority I wouldn't be looking at new build. Older houses generally have more of both.

They are 4and 6

current garden is really small just has the bins in and tiny area for them to play

You mention no driveway... what is parking like? Will it be a daily stress or is there loads (visit in the evenings to look)

What size are bedrooms? Will one have a tiny box and the other a double, or are they evenly matched?

Neither. It doesn't sound like the first house would work at all.

Out of the two I'd go for the 3 bed but I don't really like new builds and it also doesn't work well if you need a spare room/home office.

I'd wait if that's an option.

We get one space at the back of the house and then street parking but we drove by last night and it was all full.

In the town house the 2 rooms on the first floor are evenly matched and then the study which is a box room on the second floor 2 really big large rooms and one with a en-suite. Kids will be on the floor below as they want their own rooms however don’t know how that will work and if I even feel comfortable having them on a different level.

in the 3 bedroom the 3 rd room is bigger that what we have now as it can take a bed, cupboard and a desk/shelves
the second room takes a double and wardrobe and space to walk

Bigger garden every time .

I don't like new builds but I would rather have a 3 bedroom with a big garden than 4 bedroom without. You don't mention the size of the living space downstairs - the first house doesn't sound that big except for having an extra bedroom and study, but is the study tiny? The first house with the thin garden would have been a disaster for my football playing son, which is the only thing he ever did outside.

I would probably wait for another house to come up. It doesn't sound like you are asking that much, just for an average family house.

Small house and big garden.

You can extend a house, adds conservatory, add garden rooms etc if you've the outside space to do it.

Frankly, unless you are desperate to move, I'd take neither.

Both have serious defects IMO in terms of storage, parking, layout etc.

We wanted a big garden but struggled to find a house that suited us with one. Although it was important to us, we decided that we would go with "big enough". Our new house (1950s so not a new build) has a smaller garden than we'd like, but enough room for the kids to play, us to grow some herbs and veg, and socialise, and a small tree or two. We're happy with it now, you just need to make sure it's enough room for you.

I do love having more space and storage in the house. I wouldn't have a new build - the estates make me feel claustrophobic. Find a balance that works for you - neither sounds good unless you're desperate. Good luck.

I'm not keen on new builds but I dislike town houses more. If the new build thing isn't an issue to you, I'd definitely go for that one.

The new build doesn't have any of those issues though, going by info given from OP. It's the town house that has them.

I’m not normally a new build fan, but. Driveway and big garden would swing it for me definitely.