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

[HouseXorHouseY]

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!

House X for sure. Nothing beats being close to amenities and being able to walk everywhere and be near your friends. The social aspect particularly is important to me. House Y sounds like it could be isolating for both you and your teen. I’d sell house Y and stay in X until your child is out of the house and then revisit your needs and wants. You could then sell X and buy a new house based on your needs at the time with a view for this to be your forever house.

If you're not sure about the move, it means it isn't the right choice.

Do you really have to do this now? It's a lot of upheaval for your children and you, and you don't know where you want to be after they leave.

You're in a period of major life change (empty nest coming) - is it wise to disrupt everything right now?

‘Vibrant city’ = no parking, noise day and night, expensive bars / restaurants / cafes that you’ll never go to, feel squashed in.
It’s a no brainer!

Y with a view to selling that too and moving to the right place when you’re ready.
Id get rid of X as it sounds like it will have the bigger maintenance overhead.
Neither sounds right for you but I understand not wanting the stress of two sales and a purchase, especially with grief thrown in.

I moved from x to y but it was enforced (renting) and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. I love having so much nature on my doorstep. I’ve joined local groups and made a really strong friendship group. I’ve joined a running club and love being able to run in beautiful spots and not busy streets. And we have 3 loos!! The only downside is the time it takes to get to and from the odd nights out in the city.

Do you mean floorboards need re sanding and staining? Same for door - sand back, fill, paint? Or do you mean total overhauls? You definitely could have done a AIBU. 😀

House Y for the location. However i would love to pick house X up and move it to the market town!

It sounds to me like you and your DD would be happier in house Y really. You both sound ready for something quieter. I would move and pay for excellent removals to make it as stress free as possible. Sell house X while house prices are holding there. Decide later whether you want to or can stay in house Y and make it more suitable for the long term, or move again when your DD is fledged and you can make a choice about where you want to be.

It is mostly cosmetic. If I sold Y I could definitely get the issues resolved and wouldn't feel so overwhelmed, probably.

Someone asked about the value and saleability of each. X is worth about 200 thousand more than Y, purely due to location and character. It is also where the housing market is still moving, whereas the Y location is much slower.

ETA: the extra money from the sale of X would go towards house deposits for the DC in a few years, but this could also happen five/ten years down the line when they are ready to buy, so it's not a deciding factor now.

X, I live in Y and regretting it now I’m older.

This all makes X sound even more preferable!

Can I ask why? Is it distance to activities/fun/friends? For me the market town is big enough that I would be able to find good coffee and a good yoga class. There is also a lovely gym and pool nearby. But I would have to drive or bus into the city to meet friends or do decent shopping.

I'd sell both and buy a house I love in the vibrant city

I have had both valued, yes. X would probably sell much faster. I actually think your idea to stick both on the market and see what happens isn't a bad one.

I’d cosmetically refurbish Y whilst marketing X.

Move into Y then look at moving again when the youngest moves on/10 years. You will know for sure whether you want to live back in the city etc.

It means you can do a proper clear out now, much cheaper bills etc.

House X. It is a better location and older houses are usually better quality, so you won't be niggle free in the modern house.

I agree with you in general about newer houses but in this case I'm not sure. The relative who lived in it had it from new and looked after it and told me how easy it was to maintain and look after. Cheap to heat, too. Whereas my characterful Victorian has something to fix everywhere I look. Really silly stuff but I find I no longer have interest in fixing it, maybe because every time I get a workman in I lose another £500!

I agree with this.

I moved from an Edwardian house that was in a lovely spot, full of character, but a lot of those character features were actually things that needed a shit ton of money throwing at them.

I took my time finding a house that I really liked so there was more of a pull towards a new place rather than sadness at leaving the old house. It was a lot of upheaval but I’ve got rid of loads of junk and it has been totally worth it. I’ve only moved about a mile away so am still in familiar surroundings.

Neither of my young adult kids are bothered about the home they grew up in being sold.

I’d stay in x. It sounds like you love being near a vibrant city.
Actually what if really do is sell both and get a house in the best location that is cheaper to maintain. I had a gorgeous Victorian house. It really was beautiful but the maintenance was a killer and we had to go for something more practical.

for me I would want a x between the two but first you have to think;
which area are you happiest in?
where is easier for friends leisure and work?
i would sell or rent out the modern house and use the money to do the improvements you want to the house you are in?

House x - it sounds like mine. I love it. We are in a town centre - good transport links etc. Kids can be independent and do stuff without me having to drive them around etc.

I live in house X. The lifestyle keeps you young. Older neighbours who have moved to Y visit the street lamenting their loss.

I’d go for Y.

Stay in X sell Y - use some of the money from Y to make X as you want it and then sell X in the future for your choice of property. Only 1 move

Do not rent out anything. It’s difficult to get it back now to sell. So don’t do that. I assume you know the house in the market town if you inherited it. So what house suits your future life? What do you use in the larger town/city you cannot get in the smaller town? Would moving greatly affect your lifestyle? Who would not be happy about the move and why? Can you mostly replicate your life in the modern house?

By the way, life does not stop when you go somewhere a bit smaller not too far away. Friends can be maintained, clubs joined and local activities can be part of your life if you wish. If having more on your doorstep matters beyond other considerations, then you should stay but money for upkeep might make me think twice!