Standout house in rough area or average house in nice area?

arthurdick

ha ha .. now go forward with your new knowledge and get your house

missile

I guess it would depend on your circumstances. If you are a bit rough and ready you might be perfectly happy living in a rough area and feel out of place among the toff's.

suisidevw

I would ALWAYS have a 2 bed house in a nice area over a 4 bed house in a scummy area. EVERYTIME.

Castleman

Remember though, it's rarely that black and white. Most people don't look at houses in massively different areas and also, the rougher the area (generally) the smaller the houses. I.e. you don't get many rough areas of 5bed detacheds with large gardens, or streets of gorgeous luxury 2up 2down terraces.

Easy to say location location location, but in reality most people will find that it's the difference between a reasonable area and a slightly nicer one, which isn't such a big issue but might be the difference between 2 or 3 beds (for example).

Doozergirl

Castleman wrote: »

Remember though, it's rarely that black and white. Most people don't look at houses in massively different areas and also, the rougher the area (generally) the smaller the houses. I.e. you don't get many rough areas of 5bed detacheds with large gardens, or streets of gorgeous luxury 2up 2down terraces.

Easy to say location location location, but in reality most people will find that it's the difference between a reasonable area and a slightly nicer one, which isn't such a big issue but might be the difference between 2 or 3 beds (for example).

I agree. We're unlikely to be talking about the difference between choosing a small house in a beautiful area and a massive one on a sink estate. Nor are we probably talking about identically sized houses on at the same price in very differing areas as the OP wouldn't ask the question.

If you use the word 'rough' to describe an area, then no-one is really going to tell you to buy there over somewhere that is 'decent'. No one wants to worry about being mugged on the way home, so I agree with everyone there, but I doubt it's that straightforward.

But for most of us, it's what Castleman says. Slightly differing areas, one that is 'sought after' and one that for whatever reason isn't! Budget decides. Some people need that extra bedroom, some people don't. A house in any decent area will sell. You have to decide where your compromise is.

dizziblonde

Area any time - I couldn't live somewhere I didn't feel safe (done it before, never again).

We were torn between two houses when we decided which one to buy - one, absolutely stunningly immaculate, fantastically done in terms of DIY etc - but in a part of town with a high proportion of private lets and some somewhat questionable characters - couple of streets behind the town centre so the potential noise and traffic from there. One - grotty decor, dated, in need of some DIY loving - nicer street, friendly neighbours.

One's a fantastic house off the bat - the other we'll have to work at to make a fantastic house... went for the area hands down. Loved the first house - was real show home material - just the location.

GDB2222

The only reason I would buy in a rough area is if it is showing signs of becoming gentrified in the near future. So, if lots of people are starting to do houses up that's probably a good sign. Just one done-up house is not a good sign.

Riq

I can't afford the cheapest house in Didsbury, Manchester (£220,000) but if I could I would buy it now as I love the area. 2 bed terraced for £220k is astonishing money but if that's what it costs then that's what it costs. Near my parents I can get a 5 bed detached for £162,000 but it's on a new estate surrounded by the worst area I have ever been in.

And I've driven through Moss Side & Longsight!

spud211

Riq wrote: »

I can't afford the cheapest house in Didsbury, Manchester (£220,000) but if I could I would buy it now as I love the area. 2 bed terraced for £220k is astonishing money but if that's what it costs then that's what it costs. Near my parents I can get a 5 bed detached for £162,000 but it's on a new estate surrounded by the worst area I have ever been in.

And I've driven through Moss Side & Longsight!

You can always buy next to didsbury in withinton - the prices drop to half for exactly the same houses, just because of the postcode.

I looked there too - 4bed House A) in the M20 postcode, £395k, but a very very similar 4bed house in M19, literally 30 seconds walk away, £200k

I agree with the general consensus though that choose the area over the house. When I got more realistic with my money and house size, I was looking around Middleton at a Lovell development - lovely big 3bed houses for £140k..only problem was that it was smack in the middle of a council estate. Great houses but you really got the feeling of being surrounded...I looked at a similar one in Moston where the developer had stuck a lovely newbuild estate right in the center of a council estate.

Recipe for disaster to be honest..I ended up taking a smaller house in a much nicer area away from any rough estates, and i'm better off for it

baby_fuzz

evoke wrote: »

Would you buy a house that stands out amongst a row of poorly kept houses or would you buy a house that fits in nicely in a row of similarly kept houses?

Location, every time. It's easier to make your house better, than trying to make a whole street or neighbourhood better.