How much is big garden really worth ??!

emma_b_4

Hi, apologies firstly if this is in the wrong place, please move it if so...

Just wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom to help me and Hubby with our dilemma.
currently live in 2 up 2 down victorian terrace, with toddler daughter, we have plenty of space really - though would love playroom/conservatory/more space! but we fit in nicely.

we have a small patio garden - big enough for a bench, play slide, playhouse and a few pot plants and washing line. nothing major but outside space nontheless

we are constantly thinking of moving due to the garden - dreaming ofalarge space, mowing the lawn, BBQs etc...

but our mortgage is 58k at the moment (on a house worth 100k) and to get what we want we are talking going upto at least a mortgage of 120k (after using equity)

is a large garden, and must admit it, an off road position as we are roadside, really worth so much? ?

in our position would you stick with what you had and be happy, or move?

Fire_Fox

So you are looking to buy a house of £160K with a £40K deposit? Do you have money set aside for estate agents, HIP, solicitor, removals? Can you afford a mortgage double what you have now when interest rates go up again?

emma_b_4

well, we could just about afford it yes but would have to make some obvious sacrifices, that why we think is it worth it?
was kind of an "in general" / hypothetical question...we arent ringing estate agents or anything, its just to try and help us to make some future decisions. the move would be in a year or so when we can have saved more and maybe rates are more settled.

we have a really low mortgage now and guess what im asking is does a big house and garden make you happy, or are we all always wanting more?!

silvercar

Depends how important a garden is too you.

One of the reasons we moved was to get a big garden, it certainly was worth it - though don't forget the gardening.

QTPie

It MIGHT make your quality of life better (more space for the kids to play, more room to entertain, the opportunity to extend your house if you want to, more privacy perhaps, more space away from your neighbours, maybe more peace being further away from the road), BUT you don't need lots of space to be happy...

It is an individual decision really... if money is not limitless, is the benefit worth the extra cost (and any stress, extra hours worked or cutbacks required in other areas)? Plus a bigger house/garden requires more upkeep: which can be a "labour of love" for some, but a liability to others...

QT

Fire_Fox

emma_b wrote: »

well, we could just about afford it yes but would have to make some obvious sacrifices, that why we think is it worth it?
was kind of an "in general" / hypothetical question...we arent ringing estate agents or anything, its just to try and help us to make some future decisions. the move would be in a year or so when we can have saved more and maybe rates are more settled.

we have a really low mortgage now and guess what im asking is does a big house and garden make you happy, or are we all always wanting more?!

Large gardens command a premium as people like outdoor space AND because they give you the potential to extend your home rather than keep moving and wasting money on all the associated fees.

If you have a low mortgage I'd join the MFW board and be overpaying like a demon; once you become mortgage-free (or close) you have the freedom to upsize, downsize, sell up and travel the world, work a four or three days week ....

Apologies if you already do all this.

Sammy85_2

We are moving to a house with a large garden. At present we're in a 2up 2 down end of terrace, we have a garden, but its up against two roads and not at all private as we live opposite a primary school.

I cant wait to get a proper garden.

To me its worth paying a little extra to get a garden, but the house would have to tick every box before i would pay over the odds to secure it.

b3nton

I miss having a garden sooo much.
A necessity if you have kids

Nikki

emma_b wrote: »

well, we could just about afford it yes but would have to make some obvious sacrifices, that why we think is it worth it?
was kind of an "in general" / hypothetical question...we arent ringing estate agents or anything, its just to try and help us to make some future decisions. the move would be in a year or so when we can have saved more and maybe rates are more settled.

we have a really low mortgage now and guess what im asking is does a big house and garden make you happy, or are we all always wanting more?!

Well our house (chalet bungalow) isn't massive but big enough for us, our garden is pretty large (260ft by 45ft). We actually relocated for a large garden at an affordable price, we would have moved to a too small house for a large garden. Now we have the reality rather than the dream, I can say we are very happy with our lot and don't envy people with 'more' anymore. The bungalow needs a fair bit of work doing to it but unlike our previous 2 homes, we can live with it very happily until we can afford to do the work as we have the lovely (well it will be) big garden we wanted.

space_rider

My last house had a lovely little patio. Just big enough for a toddler size paddling pool, bbq patio set and a few plants. Now I have a bigger garden with a lawn front and back and I hate it with a passion. I`m even thinking of paying someone to do the gardening rather than going on holiday! Does look nice when it`s done though and it is nice that we aren`t on top of each other when it`s sunny.

Francesanne

emma_b wrote: »

Hi, apologies firstly if this is in the wrong place, please move it if so...

Just wondered if anyone had any words of wisdom to help me and Hubby with our dilemma.
currently live in 2 up 2 down victorian terrace, with toddler daughter, we have plenty of space really - though would love playroom/conservatory/more space! but we fit in nicely.

we have a small patio garden - big enough for a bench, play slide, playhouse and a few pot plants and washing line. nothing major but outside space nontheless

we are constantly thinking of moving due to the garden - dreaming ofalarge space, mowing the lawn, BBQs etc...

but our mortgage is 58k at the moment (on a house worth 100k) and to get what we want we are talking going upto at least a mortgage of 120k (after using equity)

is a large garden, and must admit it, an off road position as we are roadside, really worth so much? ?

in our position would you stick with what you had and be happy, or move?

Unless you're very keen gardeners I really wouldn't bother. My Mum elderly Mum has a large garden with a very large oak tree overlooking it and the work involved shifting those blasted leaves is a real pain in the neck each year for me and my husband. I always wanted a big garden but am now very grateful for my small patio garden (Victorian terrace) and wouldn't swap it for a larger one given the choice. Depends how much time and money you want to spend keeping it nice.