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?

I’ve always lived in Victorian houses and would never live in or buy a new build. On the whole older houses are better built and have so much more charm. We are now in our second Victorian terrace and have never really had any serious issues.

Overall I’d prefer the Victorian house. I don’t like new boxy houses and I don’t much like identikit estates of new builds.

I did hate not having a drive though and not sure I’d compromise on that, especially if I might want an electric car.

100% the Victorian property - I’ve lived in many houses and the older properties 1890 built etc had so much more character.

Definitely Victorian, unless it is one where all the original character has been ripped out (like all the doors/ fireplaces/ windows/ floors) which case I wouldn’t bother. I’ve pretty much always lived in older houses and for me the pros easily outweigh the cons.

I would go for the Victorian house as long as you accept that older houses are likely to need more maintenance/work.

I had a shared-ownership new built flat when I lived in London and I was not impressed by the workmanship so never again would I buy a new built. Now I have an old house :).

Yes, older houses are built much better than new ones

Do you drive? If so I’d stick probably. If not I’d move. I also love older properties.

If you have the money to heat and repair a Victorian house, go for it. You can't create that level of character.
But after the endless damp, mould and leaks of the last Victorian house I lived in, its new build all the way for me. Our health improved, cheaper to run and less stress.

We moved from a new build to an Edwardian house.

I was V nervous if im honest at first

To be honest.. im kind of indifferent now about it. Edwardian house is colder in the winter but much bigger than the new build. Lovely high ceilings.

A lot of maintenance yes but honestly we had several issues in our new build too.

So would I do it? Yes I did. Did I regret it? No.