Would you move or not?

[KidsSchoolHouseMoveDilemma]

What would you do in this position? Been in my house for 18 years.

Single parent, two kids at a school they can walk to, two years left before they move on.

When they've left the school I am pretty certain that I will leave the town I live in to be closer to work (and sixth form for my youngest who won't go to the same sixth form as my eldest), I won't move a huge distance. I've also got a head office relocation on the horizon so work could end up being further away - unknown atm.

If I stay in my house I need to do a bit of work, probably £20k's worth. Nothing that would add huge value, roof on an extension replaced and new wooden double glazing in it, huge utility reconfigured to make a utility, downstairs shower/toilet and a small office.

A house has come on the market that I would love, but it is in the town I will leave in in two years. My costs would almost halve if I moved (but can afford my current mortgage and bills), moving costs are the same as I'd need to invest in my current house, new house completely refurbed - nothing to spend/do but also unlikely to make any money on it.

I feel like two years is a really short time to go through buying and selling for, but is that just because I have been here for so long?

Go for it. You may end up there more than two years, that will come around very quickly. Or you will spend 18months of it regretting not taking the opportunity.

Also, if you do move from the new place quite soon, if it’s transparent you are moving due to work relocation nobody is going to be concerned.

Stay put. Your moving costs will be money wasted.

Thanks - you are both like the two competing voices in my head!

If I invested the moving costs here I might get some of them back, but if I move then I will save the moving costs in reduced outgoings in three years (might want to move again after two). Plus hassle of moving vs hassle of having work done which almost seems equal again.

I wouldn’t move or reconfigure the utility room if planning to relocate in 2 years. Keep spending & stress to a minimum as you’re not planning to live there much longer anyway. Though some jobs obviously do need doing or they get worse like the roof replaced if it’s leaking.

I agree with other posters. If you’re planning to move in the short term - next 5 years - then I wouldn’t be spending money on works in your current home. It’s also the additional costs that come in to play possibly which may mean you end up selling for less than you’ve invested. Let the new owners change what they want to change!

If it was me, I’d sell your current home and move. It’s a house you can move straight into without spending any excessive amounts and besides, your circumstances may change in the next two years where you end up staying there!

I agree, better to stay put in light of transaction costs.