Downsizing with YA kids in London

[AllThingsAreGods]

We currently live in a large 5 bed on the outskirts of London, which suited us when the children were small and is close to their school. It’s a lovely place but we’ve always missed being closer to the centre, and the kids (20 and 18) also wish we lived more centrally and closer to public transport.

DS is leaving school this summer so school will no longer be a factor and all things being well will be off to uni in the autumn. DD is studying in London and living at home.

We are thinking about moving more centrally- we would need to downsize in order to to afford it. Our budget would stretch to something like this https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/169974410
(we’re not looking at this house- ours isn’t even on the market yet- it’s just an example
of what we could afford). We know this area
well and love it. We would also be able to walk to work from here.

Just wondering if anyone else has made a move like this. Did you find it hard getting used to the smaller space?

I moved from central to an outer London Borough last year. My old area is still nice enough - close to Royal Park but things like cycling on the pavement, lime bikes left everywhere, big increase in visible homelessness and general feeling it could be looked after better meant it was time for a change. Also I found grocery shopping very frustrating where I was, most stores are small and can be grimy. My advice spend lots of time in the area you want to move to and in my experience what central London doesn’t have can be frustrating day to day.

This is the dream! I would compromise on a lot to make that location work.

I would 100% do it, but with ruthless decluttering and would aim for a house with a more logical layout. That basement bedroom isn’t great. Would you be open to renting for a while to get the right house at the right time?

Are you open to moving again later on? Nearly all the houses will be over four floors - easy enough to ignore the top floor, but even living over three floors gets harder in time.

One sofa! One sofa! No room for more. No. Too small.

Thanks everyone- this is all really helpful. I’m only in my 40s so not worried too much about stairs etc at the moment.