Area or house - which to choose?

Catbells

I can't find any houses I like in my area - have been looking for best part of 7 months and only found one which was a bit dear and my offer wasn't accepted. I've discovered an area about 9 miles away which is less expensive and has some lovely houses there which I really like.
I have friends round my present location and have lived here for 20 years but the houses are all post war and I prefer the older character houses.
Has anyone else had this dilemma?

shirlgirl2004

We went for house. The location we moved to was still good and very desirable and gave us the house we wanted. I wouldn't want to spend a large amount of money on living in a house I didn't like.

liam_h

We're going for location. Mainly because she's moved to this new City with me and knows the area, has become settled (which is a bloody miracle!) and other personal reasons. Which of course means we're struggling a bit to find a house because houses are more expensive here. We know of another area we both like with very nice houses and are also cheaper, but because of various reasons we really need to stay here.

Not_a_Newbie

Much rather have a good house in a great location than a great house in a good location.

geoffky

i spent three years looking before i bought...keep looking and pick a area you would like to buy in then wait until a house comes up for sale as they will..then wait and wait then pounce.

flossy_splodge

In principle I'd go for location first and house second cos you can always improve a house but you can't necessarily improve a location yourself.
Having said which, when I moved to my present address it was a case of house was most important and to get the house I wanted for my family I have ended up in a less than salubrious area. Now I haven't ever had a problem here but I do know that houses are hard to sell on as the area has a 'name'.
So I would still say, if you can manage it go for location first but don't worry yourself if that's not possible, there's good neighbours everywhere if you look.
Best of luck.:D

Linton

I would say go for a house which is fairly, but not extremely, good compared with the others in the location.

Avoid a mansion in a slum or a shed in Mayfair.

flossy_splodge

Linton wrote: »

I would say go for a house which is fairly, but not extremely, good compared with the others in the location.

Avoid a mansion in a slum or a shed in Mayfair.

I'm afraid the industry experts would totally disagree with this.
It is said to go for the worst house in the best street you can afford if you want to maximise the potential.!

Jackinbox99

Everywhere has good / bad areas. Ive been lucky in the house im buying in that whilst the address is that of a bad area, its actually in a nice area.

dizziblonde

Area every time. I once made the mistake of renting a gorgeous house in a rougher area - never felt safe, happy or settled there and got out at the end of my tenancy straight away. I'd never do that again - I've ruled out some really "good" large houses because they were in a part of town I didn't like the area of.

kai666

We went for a smaller, not such good condition house in the best area we could afford. Don't regret it for a moment. The house can be improved and extended over time, but you are stuck with the location, and our's is lovely