The time old question... good schools or nicer house?

[HettyMeg]

We currently live in a 3 bed semi in a very desirable, relatively small area with excellent schools (pre school age child). We want to upsize and we are priced out. Can't afford an extension either. We can afford a slightly bigger characterless house near ish to here still near the excellent schools.

Considering a move to a larger area with larger, more attractive period properties, with excellent primary schools but an average secondary (years away as daughter not even in primary yet but we wouldn't want to move again). Family are hours away and work is equally commutable from both areas.

Both areas are "nice" ... safe, clean, good community, etc.

What would you do?

Realised I might be accused of drip feeding... we moved in here 6 years ago, small semi (really just one room downstairs) thought we would either move locally for a bigger house or extend - both are now out of reach. Perennially popular area with little stock & loads of competition.

Other area seems to have more coming up, nicer, bigger houses for our budget but is a 30 min drive away from friends here, groups, etc. Don't know anyone, would be starting again.

I’d go for the better secondary myself. Life is easier if your dc are happy. Move once they have a place. It’s such a relief if they get the grades to do what they want in life.

We moved for schools. Have never regretted it.

They are very strict on catchment areas where I live - you don't get to stay in the school if you move out of catchment.

Oh really. We do where I am. But I’d go for school over house. I’m currently sitting in my far too small crumbling wreck. Dc are grown now so we’re looking to move.

Stay and pay off some mortgage or save for a couple of years and wait for something to come up where you are that is achievable for you

Schools change.

you don't get to stay in the school if you move out of catchment

How do they kick you out of school for moving?

I would always prioritise schools.

Are you sure about that? I've worked in a lot of schools and never known that as a policy. Moving just after a place has been given yes possibly they would investigate to see if it was all above board but not further down the line.

I would always prioritise a school over the house to be honest.

Better schools. I’ve rented for years to ensure mine stayed in a good school area, youngest is 18 soon and i’m relocating to finally buy. Don’t regret putting good schools first, both done exceptionally well at school which will set them up for life.

Can one or both of you get a better paid job? Don’t look too far ahead, i’d focus on trying to achieve your goal of an extension or moving to a better area with good schools too.

never known a school to ask a child to leave as move out of catchment. Are you in the UK i assume? Where I am schools are heavily oversubscribed but once you’re in, you’re in. You don’t even really need to tell them as they never send anything to home address.

Better schools- but for secondary aim to move y4 or 5. Too soon to move for a good secondary now as so much can change in a school between reception and y7

I'd go for what I felt would make the best home, schools change so quickly.

No school will a child out for moving house. If it’s a state school once they are in, they are in. If you move during the application process that might be different.

I would always invest in my child’s future. We moved from a house I loved to the secondary catchment. I’m so pleased we did - my daughter is thriving and loving it. Having said that I’m not so sure it will be the best fit for my other two but we’re not there yet.

We got our daughter into the good school then moved! But we're only a 12-13 minute drive away from the school, which is more do-able for clubs and friends etc

It's hard as secondary schools can change from being the best to the worst and the other way round in a space of a decade. Also, some children don't get on within certain schools and change schools anyway. But, personally, unless the house is absolutely driving you mad, I would prioritise school over house.

This is incorrect. Schools cannot legally do this.

I'd pick the new area move in your case. Average secondary is fine. Best to move before your DC get too attached to friends and particular hobbies etc too.

You can only future proof so far as 8 -10 years from now when your DC go to secondary school you might have different jobs and have relocated anyway, they might need specific features from a school eg more focus on academics, sports, SEN, the current great school might have changed etc.

Moving is so expensive, I don't think a moderately bigger house where you are is worth it.

Location should always be the first consideration imo.
I would sooner live in a tiny flat in a good area than a big house and be worrying everyday about my dc going to school.

A vicar friend used to work in a deprived area and the vicarage was a newish house but on a rough estate. His house got burgled regularly. As his dc got near school age he moved to a lovely village with good schools. The vicarage was old, dilapidated and draughty but it was in a good location.

This is unlawful.

We moved for better schools, we chose a house based on top primary and secondary schools when dcs were nursery age, and the secondary is still one of the best in the country now they are in Year 7. Some other secondaries have shifted reputation over the years, but the top tier schools in GCSE league tables tend to stay the same, because the demographics don't change much within

We'd have a much bigger house if we moved elsewhere but my view is that an excellent education sets them up for life, teaches them independence and how to learn, determines their peer group and influences etc, so is far more important.

Better school every time

Update... I live in central Scotland, not sure what happens if you move out of catchment but even children who live in catchment are not guaranteed a place at your local comprehensive as schools are very oversubscribed in popular areas. The councils have obligations to accommodate children with a school place but it won't necessarily be in the catchment school.

They still can't kick kids out once they're at the school. Possibly if you move house before they start, but that would be easy to avoid.

House. Schools can change and anyway your DC will not be there forever.

Thanks for all the thoughts shared. We've done more research and the high school in the catchment area of the nicer house is better than I first thought as has higher than average attainment, is excellent for inclusion/wellbeing and got a glowing report 2 years ago, so we've decided we aren't put off by that - just need to decide if we want the house/new area.