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Which house should we go for, tell me what to do please!

28 replies

Flllight · 17/06/2008 16:27

Well things are almost completed on a flat we are moving to, but suddenly house we looked at a few years ago has come up again.

It is more expensive by a long way, but do-able as the flat is very very cheap so even though dearer the house is within reach. We shan't have so much for niceties though if we do it.

The reason I'm dithering is that the flat is on a nice road but there are no, or few, children nearby. There's also nowhere to play really, outside the garden. However it does have an enormous garden. It's got big rooms too so indoor play would be fine.

The house has small rooms, but is big enough - about like where we are now. But it is in a street where there are quite a few families with little children, and some go to Ds's school - if he goes back in the Autumn after his term off, he will know several.
It's got a big field near it as well, so lots of play potential all round. However it does have a much smaller garden.
And it's walkable to school, while the flat is more than a couple of miles so we'll need to drive.

I've already got things ready for the flat - planned where everything is going and bought curtains to fit etc. But this house coming back up has jolted me, as I keep thinking how nice it would be to be moving there, instead I like both but it is a big commitment.

Not sure if it is too late to pull out now anyway, but what would you do?

OP posts:
hanaflower · 17/06/2008 16:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WelliesAndPyjamas · 17/06/2008 16:28

will you always regret it if you don't go for the house?

WelliesAndPyjamas · 17/06/2008 16:29

snap

Twiglett · 17/06/2008 16:30

when you say almost completed what do you mean? Have you exchanged? If you've exchanged you'll lose your deposit (even if you haven't paid for it yet)

Flllight · 17/06/2008 16:30

To sum up:

Flat= Enormous garden, nowhere else to go nearby.
House= Small garden, but playing areas nearby plus lots of children.

Flat= Big rooms to play even if wet weather, very airy etc.
House: Small rooms, a bit cramped.

Flat= cheap
House=not!

Flat= drive to school (if we do school)
House= easy walk to school, and if no school, at least other children around.

Arghhhh

OP posts:
Flllight · 17/06/2008 16:31

Sorry x posted! We're actually renting, but it's costing a lot in terms of removals and packing is awful! Don't want to do it again in a hurry!

OP posts:
Twiglett · 17/06/2008 16:32

can walls in house be knocked through to create big space?

Twiglett · 17/06/2008 16:32

have you signed a contract for flat yet?

Flllight · 17/06/2008 16:33

We have signed TA but they haven't countersigned yet - landlord needs to do more things like sorting out electrics etc. We're meant to get the leys next Monday. It's the same agent though so maybe they might swap us to the house if we ask nicely!?

OP posts:
Flllight · 17/06/2008 16:34

keys! Sorry. No, can't knock through - I don't think we can do structural stuff.

OP posts:
Flllight · 17/06/2008 17:29

Any more thoughts please?

Am going round in circles...

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expatinscotland · 17/06/2008 17:31

I'd go for the house over a flat every time.

TracyK · 17/06/2008 17:34

Is the garden shared with the flat?
What floor is it on?
Is house detached/semi?
What's the parking like for both of them?

Council tax on each - the same?

Flllight · 17/06/2008 17:39

Council tax is paid on both so not a problem.

it's ground floor - so we get the whole garden, whch is like a football pitch

Also get the cellar which isn't up to much!

House is a semi. I think the neighbours might be a bit rough but the house next to the flat is a rehab for nutty people so no choice there!

Parking eaiser with house, get a drive with both but the flat has a shared one.

Expat - why a house?

OP posts:
Amphibimum · 17/06/2008 17:49

ooh thats a tough one! i am RUBBISH at decisions so no help there, but i do sympathise... this would send me into tailspin i think.

i think the house for the walk to school and other kids thing... but then big airy rooms and a lovely big graden are v attractive too... ouch.

Flllight · 17/06/2008 17:51

That's Ok, Amphibimum...sympathy accepted as well as advice!

OP posts:
forevercleaning · 17/06/2008 17:51

how many dc have you? and ages of dc?

Flllight · 17/06/2008 17:57

A very active 5yo and a slightly inactive 1yo...

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forevercleaning · 17/06/2008 18:31

difficult one, but I think i would go for the house.

Turniphead1 · 17/06/2008 18:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

TracyK · 17/06/2008 19:09

How long have you got to decide - can you hang around both areas at night and see if one is quiter/rougher than the other.

Has the house neighbours got a barking dog - or really noisy kids? that kind of thing.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 17/06/2008 19:14

I think the flat sounds a betetr long term option.

Children may move to near the flat. Children may move away from near the house.

Your children will only be little for a while and it won't be long before they're old enough to walk/cycle to meet their mates even if they're not on the same/next street.

If the flat has bigger rooms, big garden and is cheaper I would go for that.

deste · 17/06/2008 19:42

Friends of ours have rough neighbours, they still have inflatable christmas decorations up in the garden and they are worried because they cant sell it.

hullygully · 17/06/2008 19:46

House and areas to play out. My dcs are older than yours and they disappear every weekend to call for their friends and go off to play (large park at the end of the road, ideal for bikes, footy etc. Plus flat you'll be involved in freehold/leasehold issues and communal decisions - don't do it!!

LyraSilvertongue · 17/06/2008 19:52

I'd go for the house. I'd hate to have to drive to school every day.
Also you won't get neighbour noise from above.
But I'd also find the flat hard to let go of with big rooms and garden.