Which would you want - House or location?
Poll: Which would you want - House or location?
Total Members Polled: 171
Discussion
So big debate in the Audi household tonight.
Which would you prefer (given an identical price). The house of your dreams in a location which was just 'ok' (nothing council estate etc but just ok), or a small 'tired' house in a prime location? Both are about 5 miles apart (near York)
Both would be top of our price range, so before you say 'tired house' and do it up, this isn't really an option, also the dream house comes with a lot of garden which can't be 'bought' at the prime location.
What would you guys go for?
Which would you prefer (given an identical price). The house of your dreams in a location which was just 'ok' (nothing council estate etc but just ok), or a small 'tired' house in a prime location? Both are about 5 miles apart (near York)
Both would be top of our price range, so before you say 'tired house' and do it up, this isn't really an option, also the dream house comes with a lot of garden which can't be 'bought' at the prime location.
What would you guys go for?
As Kirsty and phill say, location location location.
That's the one thing that can't be changed. Renovations can be done slowly and over time as and when cash becomes available.
That's how I have bought my last two homes and still believe it's the best way to do things. That is of course unless the house in the good location is too much of a compromise on accommodation.
That's the one thing that can't be changed. Renovations can be done slowly and over time as and when cash becomes available.
That's how I have bought my last two homes and still believe it's the best way to do things. That is of course unless the house in the good location is too much of a compromise on accommodation.
Depends, are you going to move, or is it a forever house? All very well saying you cant afford to do it up, but what about doing it over time - ie years? What do you need to do to the ideal location house to make it the ideal house, aside from the land?
Everything is a compromise one way or another.
Everything is a compromise one way or another.
mmmm I know about the location, but the small garden would be unchangeable and that is a fair part of the argument with 2 young sport mad boys.
The prime location house is too small for current needs so would need a fair amount of lifestyle compromise until an extension could be afforded.
FWIW - Mrs wants the location, I want the house/garden. Obviously, it would be me that would be doing the 'tired' house up, so that's part of the driver behind me wanting the immaculate house, but then the large garden is also a big driver (when I say large, it's an acre!) so there's the option for tennis court, 5 a side pitch etc etc.
To me, I don't really care where I live (within reason) as once you're home, you're home. For Mrs, it's a bit of snobbery!
The prime location house is too small for current needs so would need a fair amount of lifestyle compromise until an extension could be afforded.
FWIW - Mrs wants the location, I want the house/garden. Obviously, it would be me that would be doing the 'tired' house up, so that's part of the driver behind me wanting the immaculate house, but then the large garden is also a big driver (when I say large, it's an acre!) so there's the option for tennis court, 5 a side pitch etc etc.
To me, I don't really care where I live (within reason) as once you're home, you're home. For Mrs, it's a bit of snobbery!
audi321 said:
To me, I don't really care where I live (within reason) as once you're home, you're home. For Mrs, it's a bit of snobbery!
I voted location, but it isn't as simple as that. I wouldn't move to a house unsuitable for my needs just because of snobbishness, but I would be concerned as to whether the location of the dream house is likely to go downhill or improve, or what the issues with the location are - crime? busy road(s)? neighbours? etcDream house. Location to me is not hugely relevant, as long as I can access the motorways and train station to London.
A nice garden and nice house will do me. I don't care for the "proper postcode" and all that stuff, I spend my time in the house or garden, not looking at people who are sad enough to be impressed by the right postcode (WTF is that anyways?)
A nice garden and nice house will do me. I don't care for the "proper postcode" and all that stuff, I spend my time in the house or garden, not looking at people who are sad enough to be impressed by the right postcode (WTF is that anyways?)
ellroy said:
Evening chap, hope you're well?
Whereabouts near hear are you thinking? I could give you a little more personal/local thoughts.
Best wishes, hope you all had a great Xmas
Hi mate, hope you're well. I'll give you a bell in the new year and run it by you as I know you know the location well.Whereabouts near hear are you thinking? I could give you a little more personal/local thoughts.
Best wishes, hope you all had a great Xmas
What are your must have criteria (and I don't mean triple garage!)? Does the small house fulfill these? You can always find some reason not to buy a house but too many reasons is a red flag for me. I would definetly not live in the wrong location unless it had potential to radically change in the near future or was just a stepping stone for a future move.
If you don't mind me saying, sounds like both are wrong, you need the house in between these two. A better property in a good location rather than the large house/ wrong location, small house/ right location quandary.
If you don't mind me saying, sounds like both are wrong, you need the house in between these two. A better property in a good location rather than the large house/ wrong location, small house/ right location quandary.
Probably location - I couldn't change that, short of moving again, but I could gut the house and make it into something that I wanted (or as close to that as possible) given enough time and money.
But if you can't do that - depends, are you considering the location just because of a commute, for example? Because that's awfully boring :P
But if you can't do that - depends, are you considering the location just because of a commute, for example? Because that's awfully boring :P
Edited by Axionknight on Sunday 27th December 22:53
just been through the same dilemna, and we're now in the process of buying a house 10 miles from our target location which is much better suited to our family's requirements.
Target location was based on me wanting to walk to work, but with some recent stupidity in the housing market I couldn't impose a smaller house on the family - instead I'm wondering whether to break out the bicycle, lease a Leaf or buy a Twizy. Or (shock horror) just keep driving my current car, but where's the fun in that?
Target location was based on me wanting to walk to work, but with some recent stupidity in the housing market I couldn't impose a smaller house on the family - instead I'm wondering whether to break out the bicycle, lease a Leaf or buy a Twizy. Or (shock horror) just keep driving my current car, but where's the fun in that?
Definately house for me over location but i suppose it depends on what you're looking for.
The prime location close to me would be considered by most to be the local tourist town with 2 nice beaches and plenty going on and thats where a Large 5 bed town house is probably about £400-£500k
however I wouldnt want to live there personally and id rather live further out of town where within a 5 mile radius i could get a 4/5 house with 7 acres and a stables/outbuilding.
So depends do we take what most would consider to be the prime location where the prices are highest or where you consider to be prime location for your preferenceS?
The prime location close to me would be considered by most to be the local tourist town with 2 nice beaches and plenty going on and thats where a Large 5 bed town house is probably about £400-£500k
however I wouldnt want to live there personally and id rather live further out of town where within a 5 mile radius i could get a 4/5 house with 7 acres and a stables/outbuilding.
So depends do we take what most would consider to be the prime location where the prices are highest or where you consider to be prime location for your preferenceS?
We're having similar debates.
There's bugger all available in they exact spot we want. At any price really.
There's is a 2900sq ft 4 bed detached with double garage and large garden in a not quite as fab area..... I really like it.... She doesn't.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/34654701
Worth a drive by at least.
There's bugger all available in they exact spot we want. At any price really.
There's is a 2900sq ft 4 bed detached with double garage and large garden in a not quite as fab area..... I really like it.... She doesn't.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/34654701
Worth a drive by at least.
Had a choice between a smaller, 'ok' house in a perfect location or a beautiful one on a 'lesser' road. Moved into the beautiful one just over 2 months ago and still smile everytime I walk into every room. Had one of my neighbours round for beers yesterday and turns out he is a huge petrol head (think we'll get on well 
). Starfished on the floor of the small bathroom and couldn't touch any other walls. Currently sat in front of the fire we wouldn't have had and with a beer from the drinks fridge we couldn't have fitted in the house had we gone with location.
I know hindsight has 20/20 vision, but I could not imagine myself or mrs_t and mini_t being happier than we are now.
Location counts for f
k all if you are still going to notice the little things you dislike when you get home from work.
). Starfished on the floor of the small bathroom and couldn't touch any other walls. Currently sat in front of the fire we wouldn't have had and with a beer from the drinks fridge we couldn't have fitted in the house had we gone with location. I know hindsight has 20/20 vision, but I could not imagine myself or mrs_t and mini_t being happier than we are now.
Location counts for f
k all if you are still going to notice the little things you dislike when you get home from work.I don't think it's a black and white answer. There's a lot of variables with location as there's so many things to take into account and some are more important than others to different people and circumstances.
We had two prime locations and two plan b locations. We spent a lot of time waiting for a house in the prime location but unless budget was ridiculous the houses were badly compromised in one way or another.
We eventually switched to the plan b location when a cracker of a house popped up which ticked all our boxes with the added bonus of extra land. It was the best thing we did and you know what, we are over the moon now with both the house and the location.
We had two prime locations and two plan b locations. We spent a lot of time waiting for a house in the prime location but unless budget was ridiculous the houses were badly compromised in one way or another.
We eventually switched to the plan b location when a cracker of a house popped up which ticked all our boxes with the added bonus of extra land. It was the best thing we did and you know what, we are over the moon now with both the house and the location.
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