Smaller house close to DC school or larger house further away?

[hjjhouse]

We’re in the process of buying a beautiful detached house that will be a 15 minute drive to DC’s primary school (7 miles away by motorway). We currently live fairly close, 6 minute drive or 20 minute walk. The area we’re in is a lot more expensive and the type of house we’re buying would easily cost an extra 200k+ in this area. But now I’m having doubts as there are a few properties very close walking distance of the school but the houses themselves do not compare and we could only afford something smaller here. What would you do? Would you consider a 15 minute commute a long drive? DC has only just started primary school but it’s a fantastic school so we wouldn’t consider changing schools. DC2 will also be starting in the next few years.

I have had four go to the local primary a three minute walk door to door. More space would be great but these houses sell like hotcakes due to such close proximity to the local primary. I personally wouldn't move until they've gone onto secondary school then reassess the situation. It's so handy being close to the school!

If the house is for the long term then I would be thinking about secondary catchments and travel and children being able to travel independently as they get older. 8 years of driving 7 miles is a trek though.

Fifteen minutes would be pushing it for me. However, we are planning to move next year for a bigger house and we will probably go from a few minutes' walk to a few minutes' drive. The limitations of the house aren't made up for by the short walk, for me.

as the previous poster said think about the schools you might need to get into in the future. Are you likely to get into the right secondary school with their friends or will you have to go to your new catchment school/ college? Will your second child definitely be able to get a space at the primary? How will they get to secondary school and college from your new house?

Have you tried the journey at peak times in the morning and afternoon? Does it really only take 15 mins? (It can take me 15 mins to drive about 2 miles through my own town depending on traffic at 8.20am!)

Personally I would stay local until they are more independent, possibly college. Maybe invest in an outside office to create more space if you are WFH

are you going to move again when secondary age comes along?

motorway driving to get to a primary school sounds mad. First accident and you're stuffed.

Are you sure DC would still fall in the catchment area if that far away?

Having gone through this same issue, stating put at a tiny place and moving around secondary school was the best thing. School runs are a killer.

We declined a wonderful school because it was 4 miles away - 20 min drive. Primary school runs in the car and with traffic are a nightmare. Best avoided.

I would time that drive again at the times you’ll need to be driving there and back.

If I ever had to take my DC to primary school in our car it took 10 to 15 minutes. It takes 2 normally and the walk is only 10 minutes.