Compromises?! Opinions please :)

SazM030306

We are hoping to move house at some point early next year. Ours has been valued and we have had the HIP done. I'm thinking it's going to be new year now before we get ours on the market seeing as it's so close to Christmas!

Now I've been looking at what's on the market to buy and with what we can afford, we're going to have to make some compromises!

There's me and DH with 2 children and one on the way (June ) and at the moment we live in a 2 bed terrace with small yard. Ideally we need 3 bedrooms, a bigger kitchen or dining room, and a garden, whilst still being close to the schools.
I know this next house will not be our 'forever home' but it will need to do us for a good few years.
I have seen a house not far from us that ticks almost all of the boxes...except it's on a council estate. It's a 3 bed semi with large garden, kitchen and dining room, in our price range, perfect on the inside BUT it's the area that's worrying me. Now I know that not all people who live on these estates are undesirables but they do have a reputation, and how do you know if it's a 'nice' estate before you've lived there?

I promise you I'm not a snob, but I want to feel safe in my area if that makes sense.

Any similar houses in other areas are out of our budget.

What would you do? Would you compromise on area to get the ideal house, or compromise on the house ie garden/small kitchen to get a 'nice' area?

Thank you
Sarah
xxx

BitterAndTwisted

Popular opinion says that a wise buy ( i.e. one which you should be able to sell more easily once you decide to move again) would be the least-best house in the best area you can afford rather than a better house in a not-so-good area. The only way to be sure that the house on the estate you are thinking of is in a reasonable area is to visit it at different times and days of the week. About 11.30pm on a Saturday night might tell you what you need to know although quite a lot depends on the immediate neighbours as well. I'd even consider visiting the neighbours near the house and just knocking on the door and asking them their opinion.

BexInLondon

I'd go and have a wander round at a few different times of day (and night). See if you feel safe.

Another possibility is to give the local police station a call (NOT 999!) and say you're moving into the area and just wondering about crime etc in that particular area. The chances are they'll tell you to buzz off but you won't lose anything by asking, and when my mum did this (she's looking to exchange her council home) she had a really good chat with a bobby who knew the area well, and gave her a general feel for it without telling her anything confidential.

If you're really worried, you could knock on a few neighbours' doors adn say "I'm thinking of moving into the area... just wondering what it's like?". Again at worst they'll tell you to buzz off, in which case you know that the neighbours are unfriendly there, but best case scenario is a nice cup of tea and a candid chat (which has also happened to my mum on one of her recces). It takes a bit of face, but it's worth ten minutes of embarrassment to save ASB hassle later on.

Cannon_Fodder

You cannot change the surroundings/people/'vibe'. And if it is a real problem, you might struggle to sell, if you want to.

You can change the interior and/or expand the accomodation, over time, as money allows. (subject to planning, of course)

Maybe you can find something to do up in the good area?

SazM030306

Thank you for you comments, I shall keep looking! x

Kyrae

I'd say one of the most important things is whether or not the next door neighbour on the attached side of the house is friendly and quiet, as in a semi you don't want a noisy problem neighbour. If you've been to view the property it might be worth knocking on your next door neighbours door and saying hi and asking what the neighbourhood is like as you're thinking of buying the place next door, and it'll give you an idea of whether theyre quiet and friendly, or loud and unpleasant!

As the above people have said, definitely visit at different times of the day to see what its like. Especially Saturday nights and around school finishing time if theres a lot of kids in the street or school nearby.

Might be a lovely area as long as the neighbours are nice!

Bellalolo

Hi,Do check the neighbours and area out as previously suggested but don't let it being council scare you off. How many are in fact council properties? in our area the majority are privately owned.I do not in anyway suggest council tenants are a problem where we lived some tenants where very house and garden proud. in fact if a council tenant causes problems you have someone to complain too, if it's privately owned no hope.I was raised on a council estate and bought first house with my wife on one too, we found the estate fine to live on it had a good mix of generations but it had a reputation to people outside the area so best to get opinoins from people living within. Is the school in the catchment area of the estate, do your children know anyone from that estate?I am now renting on a private estate, the garden is smaller and so are the room sizes but it would cost me more to buy it.Goodluck!

adg1

Personally, I'd buy the worst house on the best possible street I could afford, leaving a bit of money aside for doing it up to a livable standard.

You also need to consider your onward move as you say this is not yourforever home. Others may well be put off by the estate as you seem to be, somewhat limiting potential buyers in the future.

If you turn the worst house on the besrt street into a nice house on the best street you'll have far more resale-ability in the future.

SazM030306

Thanks everyone I've seen another, 3 bed terrace with a bit of a back garden, inbetween both schools in walking distance! It looks promising so I've arranged a viewing for Saturday. It's all quite exciting! I think it needs a bit of work doing, hence the price, but I'd rather buy cheaper and do up as and when we can afford. I'm still keeping my eye out as ours isn't even on the market yet. Lets hope it sells quick when it is! x