Not so nice area but good sized house and MASSIVE garden or smaller house, small garden but in nice area

[Lauriefairycake]

We have our house on the market but am getting worried about where to move to - this has to be our last move (we can't afford where we live - we bought it to do up so we could sell and pay debt off)

I have moved 26 times in my whole life so want to stay somewhere for a long time. I'm nervous about moving into a not-so-nice area but I really want to grow lots of veg. (have had my name down for an allotment for 2 and a half years)

I'm just terrified of making a mistake and not being able to sort it because we won't be able to afford to move again.

Given the state of the market I don't think i can get somewhere to do up for our money.

Location above all else imo.

I'd go for smaller house and small garden - as long as the garden wasn't too teeny tiny?

I would prefer a better location.

I've always gone for location but I'm getting sick of rotating my clothes from the loft and having stuffed full sheds.

Nice area so long as potential to extend.

The Dunstable to Luton road - 3 bed generous 30's semi, 140 foot garden VERSUS village, 3 small beds, 20 foot garden, 70's house.

Both same price.

Depends on what you mean by 'not so nice'. If you mean a really rough area where you'd be nervous to let the DCs out of the door, then no. If you mean an area that is OK but not top notch in terms of house prices and general desirability, I'd say go for it. After all if you aren't looking to move again, you don't need to worry too much about selling on. And you have to bear in mind that areas can change - we have a 'nice area' a sort of suburb/village in this town until they drove a bloody great road through the middle of it. Not quite so desirable now.

Can't find crap house but with potential to extend in a nice area - lots of potential to extend in not-so-nice area (conservatory, loft conversion)

Depends on how bad the 'bad' area is, and how small the smaller house/garden is.

You will never like house if you don't like area as well. Better area every time.

that is a horrid area, and you have to think about resale ultimately. People will always want to live in a village

go for the smaller one.

do the loft? extend into the garden?

70's house and a mid-staggered terrace with small garden so no room for loft conversion or extension in garden.

Location . Your children will have to go to school and play out in the area. Less likely crime ect and more people take more pride in their houses in nice areas.

The location thing p's me off tbh.Who decides?There are some good and bad in every area Check it out day and night talk to locals and places will only improve when people stop fearing the unknown and move into these areas Same goes for schools

Location is important but so is having enough space (it sounds like you may be downsizing). Will you be comfortable with the location, fit in with the neighbours, close enough to facilties/schools/work.

Downsizing in price to pay off debt but moving from a very small 3 bed cottage to hopefully something bigger/big enough but out of this area (neighbouring cheap area)

I can't decide what will drive me more nuts, a house where I can't have all my stuff and do my veg or one that I have to drive everywhere.

The Luton to Dunstable road - the houses are set back off it but it is an A road

We will be moving to a less desirable (?) area when we buy We sold last year in a v nice area and are renting in teh same area but can afford to be mortgage free and well off in a marginally less 'posh' area and tbh I have lived in both and don't really care anymore there are pros and cons in both.People (despite what you may hear)are not better/micer in big fancy houses and there are not more bad people in lesser areas.It is all nonsense unless it is a really bad crime ridden estate which isn't what you are talking about.Don't move to another house where you may need to move again This is my big fear this time I have to make the right chopice because dp says thats it!

am glad there's someone else in the same boat.

I'm really bloody scared of making a terrible mistake and being stuck with it.

I even had a dream last night about being in a house that was round, with no heating, on a dual carriageway, with a river running under it.

The whole thing was a bloody simple metaphor

As opposed to me who frequently dreams of repeatedly doing and undoing kitchens til they are right.

Keep looking! It doesn't sound like you're sold on either house and you have time to look if you don't have an offer sorted on yours yet.

I moved from a very very very nice area... where my parenst lived in a quiet cul-de-sac in a very well known beutiful picturesque sea village

couldnt afford to live there myslef so live in a 'not so nice' area a few miles away

my neighbours are lovely and i have much less problems (ie 0) here than living in that culdesac in that village

everyone around is like OMG you live there for old house

the only thing i get here is slight road nosie that i am used to which is bound to happen when you live on a main road... however the location here is SO much more convienant

Ok just viewed house in not so nice area but still nice iykwim.Huge kitchen living room manky extension big wide halls and landings 3 large bedrooms and a lovely garden.Old lasy in a nursing home so cheap too but needs total overhaul It is a cottage 1930s style very quirky but I am use to victorian so different style .Otherwise we can afford for teh same price 2 bed flat with patio.Oh and house has big garage and loft room!Dp loves the house and sees himself pottering away with his drums etc I am still feeling weird that I am getting old (whch I am)

oooh, that sounds lovely noddy

I'm in a victorian too, it will be strange to move to a 30's style.