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Which house would you keep: Victorian terrace or modern townhouse?

108 replies

HouseXorHouseY · 30/04/2026 20:47

Please help, I'm driving myself crazy! If you were me, which of these two houses would you choose?

House X: in a great area of a vibrant city. It only has on street parking, which is very busy. It's close to cafes, shops, and friends. It's a terraced victorian, five bedrooms but two of them small, only one main bathroom and a downstairs loo under the stairs going off the kitchen. It has lots of niggly little problems and is a high maintenance house but also has lots of lovely features, eg log burner.

House Y: quiet area in a market town about fifteen minutes away from the city where the other house is. This house is terraced as well but with a slightly staggered design so it feels more private, and the road is much more spacious with a little green area in front of the house. It has a garage at the back. It's a modern house and has no niggly problems, but no great features either. It's a blank canvas and is easy maintenance. It has four double bedrooms, a downstairs toilet plus a main bathroom and an ensuite. It is a similar square footage, just a little smaller but better layout. It is closer to youngest DC's school (7 mins versus 20).

For context, I am 50, single, with two young adult DC and one teen aged 14. Both the adult DC will probably be bouncing back and forth from uni for a few years. I currently live in House X. House Y is from an inheritance. I need to sell one of these houses and I can't decide which. I am tired and going through menopause so the modern house appeals for the low maintenance, but I would also have the upheaval of a move. Of course, in this climate I might not be able to sell, but apparently in the area where House A is the market is still ok/resilient. What do you think? Thank you!

OP posts:
BePoisedPlumUser · 30/04/2026 20:49

I’d keep house Y

LizzieSiddal · 30/04/2026 20:57

I’d go for house Y too.

Arynaa · 30/04/2026 20:59

House Y

parietal · 30/04/2026 21:01

If you are happy with your current location and neighbours etc, then stick with X. If you are yearning for a change in life, then Y.

Kerning · 30/04/2026 21:02

If you take the house out of the equation how do you feel about moving from a vibrant city to a quiet market town?

And what does your youngest DC think about a potential move?

Tellmetomorrow57 · 30/04/2026 21:02

What do the kids think?

I think I like X for being more characterful and in the midst of a city for being close to everything. Easy access for walking everywhere.

badboss2020 · 30/04/2026 21:03

House X. You’ll ultimately end up alone in a house in a small town if you keep house Y.

presumably you’ll get a fair chunk out of it so you could always move completely.

susiedaisy1912 · 30/04/2026 21:03

Y

Fluffyowl00 · 30/04/2026 21:05

I’d buy house Z. A semi 3 streets away from bustling high street with a drive, nice garden and slightly closer to the school. You’ll be bored senseless out in the sticks and both have far too many/almost vertical stairs

Randomchat · 30/04/2026 21:05

House Y without a doubt. Sounds like a much better layout inside and out.

But area X sounds much more fun.

So I'm no help.

ReignOfError · 30/04/2026 21:06

Sell both and buy a non-niggly house in tbe vibrant city.

MaraScottie · 30/04/2026 21:06

Could you invest some of the proceeds from the sale of Y to improve the niggly issues with X?

One other important consideration is accessibility as you get older. Would X have a properly accessible bathroom and space for a downstairs bedroom maybe?

FruAashild · 30/04/2026 21:06

Moving is so stressful and if you wanted Y you could have bought similar when you bought X. Stay where you are.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 30/04/2026 21:07

I love the city and victorian houses 😄 so option 1 please x

Passingthrough123 · 30/04/2026 21:08

House X, then use the money from the sale of House Y for improvements. Your DC won't be at home forever and you'll end up stuck in a small town alone rather than a vibrant city.

HouseXorHouseY · 30/04/2026 21:08

@badboss2020 That's a consideration, but it's only a short drive from the city, or a bus ride. And the market town isn't tiny - it has a gym, yoga studio etc. Just not my current friends.

@parietal I think I'm yearning for peace, but not sure if I'll regret that in a few years when I could have all the action on my doorstep.

OP posts:
Thechateau · 30/04/2026 21:09

Stay in X and then find something that meets your needs when kids have gone

flymeawaytothesunshine · 30/04/2026 21:10

House y gets my vote

Passingthrough123 · 30/04/2026 21:10

HouseXorHouseY · 30/04/2026 21:08

@badboss2020 That's a consideration, but it's only a short drive from the city, or a bus ride. And the market town isn't tiny - it has a gym, yoga studio etc. Just not my current friends.

@parietal I think I'm yearning for peace, but not sure if I'll regret that in a few years when I could have all the action on my doorstep.

But will you be happy doing that bus ride or drive every time you want to go out when you're older?

Quokka2 · 30/04/2026 21:12

Do you 100% need to sell one or could you rent it out?

Meredusoleil · 30/04/2026 21:12

House Y. I am the same age as you with my youngest also being 14yo.

Tulipvase · 30/04/2026 21:14

Victorian house every day.

HouseXorHouseY · 30/04/2026 21:15

Fluffyowl00 · 30/04/2026 21:05

I’d buy house Z. A semi 3 streets away from bustling high street with a drive, nice garden and slightly closer to the school. You’ll be bored senseless out in the sticks and both have far too many/almost vertical stairs

An interesting third option! Not sure I could cope with the stress of selling two and also buying though! I would have to do it in stages, in which case staying in X while Y sells would be best.

OP posts:
Ireolu · 30/04/2026 21:17

What do your children think? 2 are adults and will have an opinion? I personally think house y.

HouseXorHouseY · 30/04/2026 21:17

Quokka2 · 30/04/2026 21:12

Do you 100% need to sell one or could you rent it out?

I don't want to be a landlord, though it would solve the immediate dilemma!

OP posts: