Compromising for a move

[Kkaayy]

We have recently sold our house to first time buyers and have started the search for our next house. We are looking at a 4 bedroom as we need more space and ideally want it to be in our current market town. However it seems we are being priced out as it’s quite an expensive place to live and there’s very little coming on to the market.

We're going to view a house tomorrow which is in a village 5 miles from us (8 min drive), it’s far bigger than what we would be able to afford in our current town.

My concern is that the kids (10&14) will no longer be able to walk to school themselves. I wfh so can drop them off and my husband finishes work at 3 so can collect them. My son loves to go out playing with his friends but he has friends in both our current town and the village we’re viewing a house in. My daughter doesn’t go out often but when she does her friends live in the next town along so I’m having to drive her anyway.

Both kids are keen to move to the village as they want bigger rooms and they love the village. I’m just not sure if it’s going to work logistically ie my son likes to get to school early, my daughter doesn’t. My son likes to play out after school, my daughter doesn’t. Not sure is drop off and collection times will align 🤦🏻‍♀️

Thoughts? Anyone been in this position?

I’d definitely move to the village in your shoes, it’s not far driving in reality and I’m sure you’ll work out the detailed school-related logistics which are only going to be for a few more years anyway.

I’d think future proofing before making a decision

what are buses like? Taxis after a night out or party which for the 14 year old is coming up fast
potential for driving lessons and a car - again for the 14 year old it is not long now
what about when they leave home - will you be happy there or will you move again

I’d probably go with the village anyway as you say nothing else is coming up but you should think these things through

( btw are transport issues one of the reasons it’s cheaper? )

Move to the village. Makes lots more sense. Your children will be fully grown and not needing the same things in a few short years, but bigger bedrooms are always good especially if they are going to stay home longer as getting on the housing ladder is tough.

Some villages have school transport if they don’t have their own secondary school and it is too far to walk / no pavements. Is that an option?

Can they safely cycle between town and village?

It seems there is a bus that runs and goes to some of the bigger towns around us and they certainly wouldn’t have issues getting a taxi. The quickest way from the village to our current town is along a busy road so not particularly safe to cycle, there is a back way but it would take longer.

Yes my worry is when they become mini adults. My son’s current room is a box room and we can just about get a single in there, not a chance a double is fitting in there.

We viewed the house in the village today and it was stunning. We have all fallen in love with the house and it’s far bigger than we thought we’d be able to get. If it was in our current town it would be perfect, but also about 150k more expensive 🤦🏻‍♀️