Would You Swap a Newer-Build for a Victorian House

[Luv2chat2U]

Looking for some opinions on a possible house exchange. I’m deliberately not naming the locations because I don’t want to give too much away, and I don’t want the discussion to become about the areas themselves. Neither location is especially desirable, although I’d say my current area is the better of the two.

My current home is a newer-build style house (not brand new). It’s on a close with its own driveway, and there are many things I like about it.

The property I’m considering is a Victorian house on a residential street. I’ve always preferred houses on streets rather than closes or cul-de-sacs, and I’ve always been drawn to period homes because of their character.

If you were in my position, would you stick with the newer-build style house on the close with a driveway, or choose the Victorian house on a residential street? Is simply wanting a change, and preferring a different style of home, a good enough reason to move?

Anyone?

I wouldn’t ever go for an older property again. They are colder than newer builds, ok that could be an advantage right now but definitely not in the cooler months. Mine also needed ongoing repairs. It’s an absolute joy for me living in a newer build. Moving is expensive and stressful. You need to be 100% sure it’s what you want. Have you look at how much stamp duty is?

Victorian. Everytime. My house is 155 years old and is amazing. My previous home was 10 years old and an absolute shower of sh!t. Yes an older house has upkeep and needs love but they are standing, were in all likelihood built properly and will stand for another 100 years.

I love old houses so Victorian for me

Cold in older properties.
New builds are very well insulated.
I wouldn’t move esp as you say the current area is better.

I’d love a Victorian house. My sister had one it wasn’t particularly cold.
Only thing I’d worry about on a residential street would be parking.

Really so many variables. Some new builds are shite, like tin boxes, you can hear every sound from every neighbour, the windows and doors are sub-standard and everything is cheap and nasty. And some are good and well built.

Some old (pre 1930s and Victorian) houses are good to have and are lovely - and some are shite... not because they're not well built but because they get to a point when they start to need lots of money spending on them, they have dry rot, rising damp, mice, silverfish, subsidence, draughts etc... and they cost more to heat than new-builds.

So it really depends on the house.

Me personally, I would have a Victorian house over a new-build any day of the week. Both my DC have Victorian homes and they love them so much. They are beautiful though.

Stick!

love our new build
so cheap to run, so easy to maintain

we put some effort into the decor and absolutely love the vibe we have created - warm and homely

We moved from a house we bought off plan and lived in for 20 years, to a 500 year old listed property. Not going to lie, there was a huge baptism of fire, many tears, a lot of work. Now, I have fallen in love with our home. I love the character, history and feel very peaceful here. If it’s your dream, I would say go for it! Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Absolutely. Our house is Victorian and I'd never go for a new build having lived here. It's got "good bones", and lovely features.
We are currently on the market though, and have our eye on a 18th century cottage.

We live in an Edwardian house which I love but I’m so fed up with almost constant maintenance. Damp we had dealt with when we moved in has returned, sash windows are expensive to replace, tiled paths crumble…and that’s just a start.

All things being equal - Victorian.

However, it isn't worth the trade off for a worse area, no parking and the hassle of moving. Are there any other pros or cons to add to the mix, like size, friends and family nearby?

My heart would say victorian house because of the character and how solid they are. But they are colder and hard to keep warm.

I would go for the new build because they hold the heat better bills are cheaper.

I have rented victorian house /old builds. I'm in a new build now. There would have to be a very good reason for me to go bsck to an old build.

But if i was buying i would choose the older house. I doubt new build woukd be standing in 100 years

Victorian - my old house is gorgeously cool on a hot day.

I love my Victorian terrace however it's also been a bit of a nightmare that made me question my decisions.

It's not only the minor issues that the previous owner ignored that grew into big problems that we now have to fix, it's the 100+ years of DIY and patch jobs that I keep finding. I've come to understand the joke of "Structural wallpaper" these past months.

I'd do it again but the rose tinted glasses are well and truly off now.

We have lived in 3 Victorian houses, completely gutted 2 of them ( keeping features) and really loved them once they the modern kitchen, bathrooms and heating were in. They do cost more in upkeep and heating, but generally have lovely proportions.
Now, I’m a fan of 1960/70s houses ( has 2) and we’re about to buy one as our final house. Solid internal walls, large windows and good proportions.
Personally I wouldn’t buy a new build, but whether you go for the Victorian house is up to you. I would as long as you’re prepared for the upkeep.

Sorry for the typos. we have had two in the past

Is this for a housing swap with a housing association or similar?

If so I would stick with the newer build. You’ll have less issues with heating, damp and mould. Deciding will be much easier and cheaper as the walls will be in better conditions.

If you decide to go for it anyway, find out if it’s on an improvement program. Most HAs have programs running to upgrade social housing from EPC D to C. Some will get triple glazing, so external render and insulation and others PV.

Overall though if you’re needing to rely on a HA or similar for the maintenance of the property I would stick with the newer build. It’s likely to cause less headaches.

I would love to swap my Victorian terrace for a new build flat. Am getting too old to keep up with the maintenance and want somewhere warm and trouble free.

Victorian properties are beautiful but it's a lot of ongoing maintenance.

I'm in a mid century bungalow now and it's a lot of work updating it. I often think a completely new new build might have been better.

Loved my Edwardian villa house, complete money pit but full of character and original features, huge rooms high ceilings it was fantastic. Sadly sold because husband is a fool!

You say housing exchange so you're not buying the house I take it?

If thats the case I would stay

If I was buying a house I would choose old over new every time.

Well I love my Victorian house and would never live in a close but it is a money pit! Freezing in winter but great in a heatwave. Check the windows - ideally they have been replaced and double glazed as original windows make the house freezing in winter and have a lot of condensation.

Depends on if you own a car and your funds.

I’d always go Victorian, but a driveway and “close” over a busy street.

as others have said one will cost a lot more do depends what you really want compared to what you think you want!

You didn’t deal with the damp when you moved in. You disguised it. I’ve used this analogy before on MN, if the damp is back you used an Elastoplast for a broken leg.

Start with the cause if you want to sort it properly