Stay or move?

[WalterHWhite]

This is a wwyd as I’m going round in circles at the moment! If anyone can throw some common sense at me, I would really appreciate it.

Would you leave a terraced house, no mortgage with most things done to it for a smaller semi detached that needed a lot doing to it? I still wouldn’t need a mortgage and have the money to do it up. I’m 63, dc still living with me but will probably move out in the next few years.

The street I’m in now has awful parking, the newer one has a drive. A part of me feels I’d be daft to move as it’s such a faff but i just can’t get this house out of my mind! Whenever I look at it on rightmove, it’s like going home!

I'd be asking myself whether "potential new house" is the house you're thinking of as "the forever house." Is it the "right" house for spending your final years in? A house that is fine at 63, might not be fine at 83 or 93.
I don't mind saying it was a consideration for me in choosing the new house I'm about to move into and I'm 40 in a couple of weeks!

Thanks for your reply. Yes the house is more suitable for my 83 year old self. I wouldn’t need to move again as it’s quite small so more economical to run etc. My house at the moment is bigger and although it’s in good condition at the moment, things will need to be replaced at some point. The thought of putting in another bathroom here one day puts me off staying. New house needs a new bathroom, kitchen, garden sorted straight away.

I would definitely plan to move if your current house will prove to be difficult in future years. But no way would I go for a doer upper at 63. I would wait for another house to come along that maybe just needs redecorating.

when you say needs a lot doing to it, what does that cover - decorative or major work etc?

Do you enjoy doing up? If so I'd go for it just for the parking and the fact you really like the house. It'll appreciate in value better than the terrace, so in time, when you need to downsize to the bungalow etc you'll release more ££ to keep you going.

@KievLoverTwo I thought it was a good age as in a better now than never! I won’t have the energy in say ten years time but I have now. Having said that- the disruption will drive me mad.

@SallyLockheart It’s an old ish kitchen, old bathroom and the garden needs attention. Sloping garden and massive trees. Decor is really plain so nothing offensive.

I enjoy choosing things for other people to put in for me! Part of me feels that I’d be mad to have to buy dishwashers and fridges again but it is a really pretty house.

I’d say go for it. The parking space will also come in handy as you age, whether it means not having to carry groceries as far or a place for carers to park if you sadly need them. The only tricky is whether you plan to stay in it while it’s being redone - I presume you can’t afford to buy it outright before selling your current home? Can your kids move out and you rent a one bed for a year?

From my own experiences with my parents I’d say the time to do it is definitely now - waiting to 70+ will be that much harder.

Move now would be my advice. I moved to a 2 bed flat when I was the age you are now. The thought of ever moving again now that I am 76 fills me with dread. I hope you can deal with the disruption of updating the new house though!

I agree, no way would I go for a doer upper at the moment less alone at 63. And no way would I move for parking reasons - why is walking a short distance such a problem? Wait for the right property - have you even been to see this place you like? It might feel very different in person than on Rightmove.

Also, getting trades in (especially good ones who will do a good job & won't rip you off) is incredibly difficult at the moment and won't improve whilst labour & skills are so short. Plus materials have shot up in price - quotes for work are coming in much higher than even a few years ago less alone pre Brexit.

To add to previous posters does the new location have what you need both now and later in life - bus routes shops doctors a pub or cafes. Access to activities you like, decent neighbours.
We moved in our mid 60s to a slightly smaller semi in a cul de sac jus off a main road, on bus routes to two city's - we have fields and woods nearby for walking our dog, a pub nearby and cafes and restaurants not far away. it's been exactly what we need - we have good friendly neighbours and it's fairly safe.

I also have a terraced house with rubbish parking. We are looking to sell but only if we can find something already “done”. Regardless of cost, it’s so hard to find anyone to do the work needed for renovations these days. Lots of those types of properties for sale near me as no one really seems to want a doer upper anymore.

It sounds perfect, I would move.

And why does everyone think 63 is too old to do a house up? My mum had a house built aged 65, I don't think doing one up at 63 is unmanageable.

My grandparents had a house built on their land at age 70! The old farm house had very steep stairs which they could no longer manage.

They lived in the new house for 13/ 15 years .
Part of aging is in your head....
Go for it OP! Moving can give you a new lease on life. ;)

Thanks for all your replies although I’m none the wiser! I’m trying not to think of 63 as old. I won’t do anything if I think like that.

If I stay I could also give up my part time job but leaving would probably give me a new lease of life- exh lives really close which I did for my dc for 15 years. It would be lovely to not have him popping in all the time! I didn’t mention that as it seems more of a relationship dilemma. It’s good to talk and hear other people’s opinions though.