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Original poster

Smaller house for 'nicer' area

41 replies

Birchgirl · 19/07/2026 22:26

Hello

Just looking for some opinions please.

My family and I (DH & 2 DS) currently live in a 4 bed house. Close to amenities, close to a great park and close to childrens school. Good size rooms and an amazing garden. However the location of the actual street is a problem. It's not a particular busy street but there's no front garden so people walking past the house and close to a main road so children can't play out the front.

I've always wanted to live on a new estate. I grew up on an estate and even though I'm aware times have changed, I want that for my children too.

There's a current development started near us now but the houses would put our mortgage amount up by an extra £500 per month (doable). It would be a drive to the school rather than walking (only 4 minutes drive though). Also as they're new builds the rooms sizes and garden would be smaller (not a huge amount but still)

So I suppose what I'm asking is wwyd? Is it stupid to pay so much more a month just because of the street my house is on?

I don't hate where I live I just wish it was on an estate rather than a street.

I know the saying is 'Location
, Location, Location' but what if you don't hate the location of your current house you just don't love it?

Help please

OP posts:
Original poster
Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 15:40

topcat2026 · 20/07/2026 13:25

So now you’re saying you live on a main road and not near one?

There's a main road at the top of my street but but my house is on a side road. So not on an estate. I didn't think I'd have to be this specific

OP posts:
Original poster
Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 15:43

Crikeyalmighty · 20/07/2026 14:47

My mother and her H live in a development with just 3 and 4 bed detached houses with just the one road built mid 90s - ( Charles church) it’s still convenient for town and very nice indeed - if I was having a modern/ish house then I see why it’s good choice but these huge developments with no amenities nearby aren’t always a good bet - so I think OP for me it would depend on the size of the development and whether you have to drive for absolutely everything - be it a pint of milk or a coffee

The development is approximately 150 houses. I'm not sure if that's big or not haha

Still close to amenities so that's not an issue either.

OP posts:
Crikeyalmighty · 20/07/2026 15:46

Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 15:43

The development is approximately 150 houses. I'm not sure if that's big or not haha

Still close to amenities so that's not an issue either.

Show quote history

It’s fairly big but not horrendous - for me the amenities thing would be a biggie - if you like it OP and don’t mind the driving to school bit then it’s down to you - not everyone values the same things- My gran actually did the reverse- lol! Was used to living on a road with traffic and people going past, moved to an estate and within 6 months had the bungalow up for sale!!

HelenAnerley · 20/07/2026 15:55

I would hate to live on a main road, and to not have a front garden, with a garden path to my door, so I really sympathise. I’ve a friend who lives on a busy road, in a semi. They don’t use their front door, and have one in the side. The problem is though people are always knocking on the front door, not the side door! It’s a bit rubbish.

Tortephant · 20/07/2026 18:08

OP, you are giving very conflicting information in your two posts.

please can you clarify what you want from your home and location and be very clear, from you perspective, of the pros and cons for staying and moving to this new estate. Also realistically what the alternatives are.

FlappicusSmith · 20/07/2026 18:42

But even if you moved to the 'new estate' there would be no guarantee your neighbours would a) have kids a similar age, b) would let them play out, c) even if they did, that your kids got on with them/ wanted to play with them.

Far to many unknowns and foolish to move for something that might (probably) not exist there anyway

Original poster
Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 20:32

HelenAnerley · 20/07/2026 15:55

I would hate to live on a main road, and to not have a front garden, with a garden path to my door, so I really sympathise. I’ve a friend who lives on a busy road, in a semi. They don’t use their front door, and have one in the side. The problem is though people are always knocking on the front door, not the side door! It’s a bit rubbish.

Thank you! I feel like you understand haha

OP posts:
Original poster
Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 20:34

Tortephant · 20/07/2026 18:08

OP, you are giving very conflicting information in your two posts.

please can you clarify what you want from your home and location and be very clear, from you perspective, of the pros and cons for staying and moving to this new estate. Also realistically what the alternatives are.

I really don't think it's conflicting at all. The above poster understood

I want to live on an estate rather than a street.

Amenities are just as good in both locations.

The main difference is the price. Also the new build would be a bit smaller. Still big enough though

OP posts:
Original poster
Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 20:36

FlappicusSmith · 20/07/2026 18:42

But even if you moved to the 'new estate' there would be no guarantee your neighbours would a) have kids a similar age, b) would let them play out, c) even if they did, that your kids got on with them/ wanted to play with them.

Far to many unknowns and foolish to move for something that might (probably) not exist there anyway

I've already addressed this.

It's not mainly about the children playing outside. I was using that as an example to explain what type of location Id like to live in as in estate Vs street

OP posts:
likelysuspect · 20/07/2026 20:43

Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 10:43

Ok so I think everyone is focussing too much on where I said for the kids to play out the front. I'm aware this doesn't happen but I was using it as an example.

The point I was trying to make is that a new build estate is more of a cul-de-sac living. So no strangers walking past your house looking in your windows, cares driving through as the road is a connecting road for residential streets.

If I opened my door and my children and dog got out they would be straight on to a main road (not as likely to happen with the children but I hope you get the point)

The new build estate I've looked at is with a very good builder, good size houses and gardens. Also the location is also near amenities and parks. So location wise it's the same

Also to add, my house does need work. It's an old house so we need new windows, gutters, render and a new roof in time. So is it worth putting all that money into this house?

So you said that the new estate houses were smaller but now you say they're good size houses

If you spend 500 more per month, thats 6k a year, 60k over 10 years. That doesnt count for moving and EA costs, stamp duty and any new furniture you need for the new house given its smaller. Plus a new build doesnt hold its value.

In my experience new estates now have such narrow roads that most cars park half on the pavements, they all look very scruffy

Not like 70s and 80s estates.

Im biased as i dont like new builds.

likelysuspect · 20/07/2026 20:44

I also wouldnt give up a walk to school to be replaced by a car drive. Thats not good for kids.

raquarita · 20/07/2026 20:48

Tortephant · 20/07/2026 18:08

OP, you are giving very conflicting information in your two posts.

please can you clarify what you want from your home and location and be very clear, from you perspective, of the pros and cons for staying and moving to this new estate. Also realistically what the alternatives are.

Apparently it’s rude to ask her that!

herbetta · 20/07/2026 20:48

£500 a month invested for 35 years is 250-500k. That would allow you to retire early.

Original poster
Birchgirl · 20/07/2026 20:49

likelysuspect · 20/07/2026 20:43

So you said that the new estate houses were smaller but now you say they're good size houses

If you spend 500 more per month, thats 6k a year, 60k over 10 years. That doesnt count for moving and EA costs, stamp duty and any new furniture you need for the new house given its smaller. Plus a new build doesnt hold its value.

In my experience new estates now have such narrow roads that most cars park half on the pavements, they all look very scruffy

Not like 70s and 80s estates.

Im biased as i dont like new builds.

Show quote history

I said the new builds are smaller than what I have now but still a good size

OP posts:
Whisperwhisper · 20/07/2026 21:09

I think it is dependent on the new build in question.

But also, I would find it hard to move to a smaller house/smaller bedrooms etc.

Supersleepysheepy · 20/07/2026 21:37

Whisperwhisper · 20/07/2026 21:09

I think it is dependent on the new build in question.

But also, I would find it hard to move to a smaller house/smaller bedrooms etc.

I think you are right, a lot does depend on who the builder is, as well as the actual house design and estate layout.

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