Location or house?

[applesandbanoonoos]

Would you rather have a large detached house further out of town but would need to drive to everything (including convenience store), or a smaller semi detached house that is walkable (less than 10 mins) to everything including child’s school?

I’m struggling to understand anyone who cannot drive, considering a house where they “would need to drive to everywhere”.

Shall you never go anywhere alone?

Of course, it’s ideal to walk to school and for DC have options to get around without needing to drive, too as they become more independent

Second. That's what we chose 30 years ago, never regretted less space/being a semi and it was great we could all just walk where we wanted, pop down to the shops without having to get the car out. Also, friendship wise, you're children will have more friends closer, so easier to see them.

In your case OP go for the smaller semi where you can walk to school etc.

I lived in a suburb where the nearest corner shop was a good 20 minute walk away and it was such a pain. Worth it for a beautiful rural location but not otherwise. Second one all the way

I'm struggling to see why people think walking 20min to the shop is too much. There's also the difference of some shops, and a lot of shops. I'm in a suburb now and it's 10min to tesco express, doctors, vets, a pub and the primary school. But it's a drive to the secondary school and 30min walk to the main bus route to cities. I drive everywhere. I love the quietness of this.

I grew up in the middle of a very busy city. It's 20min walk to a very large shopping mall, with ice rink, food court, multiple resturants, supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, multiplex cinema and more shops then you can spend your money at. The mall is also covered by two tube lines and is very central. It's one station ride to more malls and street markets and the coolest shopping for teens. It's very convenient but super expensive. I wouldn't want to go back to living there. I think a lot of poster who says they want a walkable to shops location doesn't really clarify what kind of walk to everywhere they really mean. Unless you are advocating everyone to move into London or Manchester.

I am moving from London to a much smaller city. Being in London I’ve grown used to never needing to drive and having everything I need within a 5-10 mins walk.
People from smaller towns and cities that are less well-connected by public transport are used to driving for everything.

Location every time.

I agree with this.

The OP can’t drive though!

Number 1 for me and we’ve lived here for over 10 years. I love having tons of space and peace and quiet when we’re home. Nearest neighbours over half a mile away.

DS catches a designated school bus to secondary school so we don’t have to drive into town every day. We’re too far out for delivery take aways but that’s a small price to pay for peace. 😁

I’ll only consider moving back into a smaller house in a town when I’m old and widowed.

I get it, but when your kids are teens before they pass driving test, you will be a taxi service.

we lived semi rural, it was great when our sons were little, but as they got older it was a pain tbh, nothing for them to do, along way from friends. We relocated & downsized a few years back, live just outside a small city now, best move we made.