Opinion on Location

Mazzawa

Hello everyone,

So we finally sold our house and have found our dream house. It's amazing, everything we've ever dreamed of. However, there is one thing holding us back on making an offer and that is the location, which is where I was hoping you would be able to chip in and sway us one way or another.

The town itself is quite run down, large estates surrounding a lovely victorian village (which is where the house is situated). The house is in a large plot (detached) with a garage and is near the high street, most of the shops are now houses. The town used to have a bad reputation and indeed there have been some incidents just in the high street. The street the house is on is to die for, lovely and quiet with people who have lived there for many years but the knowledge that the area itself isn't fantastic in general is putting us off. We're worried that we would lock ourselves in our little pocket of land, be scared to go get a take out at 10pm...(spot the fatty!).

There is, however, a lot of new housing springing up in the town and transport links are being improved. I kind of hope it will be one of those places that in 10 years time you just wont recognise as it will be lovely but worry that we would be making a bad investment if it went the other way. So, would you live in an area that perhaps doesn't have the best reputation to get your dream house or would you look elsewhere?

We dont really go out to pubs etc so that side of things isn't a concern, but would like to be able to walk the dog carefree and not have to set a burglar alarm to go and get a pint of milk. Perhaps we are overreacting to the area.

Our money wont get us that house in any other location close enough to our jobs so we would have to wipe our memories to be able to look elsewhere.

All help gratefully received!

cazuk11

I was viewing houses and I said to the estate agent, I really like it but I'm not sure on the street. He said 3 words to me... Location, Location, Location. That house is still for sale when worse houses on better streets are being snapped up. It's better to buy the worst house on the best street than other way around. And, if you're having concerns, when you come to sell it, prospective buyers will have the same reservations. x

KateLiana27

I would arrange to spend a few days there (if you aren't local) and walk around the areas you would go to, at the times you would do if you lived there (eg takeaway at 10pm) and get a feel for it. See what the noise is like on your street, and if there is anyone dodgy hanging around. Look at the crime maps for the street and surrounding areas on Police UK.

It's always going to be a compromise - you wouldn't be able to afford a house like that if the area was totally nice. You have to decide if that compromise is worth it to you. Personally, if it's run down but basically safe that would be fine for me - but if it's actually a high crime area, I'd steer clear.

WelshNic

It might help to say where it is, there may be locals here that can allay your fears

I'd spend as much time as you can there at different times of the day, sometimes the bark is far worse than the bite.

Mazzawa

WelshNic wrote: »

It might help to say where it is, there may be locals here that can allay your fears

I'd spend as much time as you can there at different times of the day, sometimes the bark is far worse than the bite.

Fair enough, but the house is mine until decided otherwise

The town is called Gorebridge in Midlothian, Scotland. Old mining town and the industry has long gone leaving from what I've read high rates of unemployment and anti-social behaviour. Opinions welcome!

KateLiana27

Also be aware that if the price for the house is significantly higher than the average house in the area, you may struggle to resell. Someone who can afford to live in a "nice" area may not even look at a place that is known for antisocial behaviour etc, so there is a ceiling to what a house, no matter how nice, is worth if it's in a particular location.

crazycatlady1984

In my opnion, it also depends on how long you're planning to stay there. If *you* can deal with the area, and you're planning on staying there for the long term, re-selling isnt so much of an issue at the mo. Agree that you should defo go and have a look around at different times of day etc.

Also worth remembering that even the nicest places often have not to nice places right next to them, it's just the way of it. I'm also in the position of moving to somewhere I'm not too familiar with (also a town in Scotland which has suffered the effects of industry decline!) so I know it can be nerve wracking, just take your time to think about it.

Also, for what its worth, I mentioned Gorebridge to my OH and he doesnt seem to think its particularly bad or has bad rep.

Good luck!

Mazzawa

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your replies, very helpful! Another property has been thrown into the mix so we have the following situation -

1. Perfect house, garden and garage of our dreams but in a not so great area.
2. Modern house not to our tastes with a good garden but close to neighbours. Great, safe and popular location that backs onto fields.

This is so hard! House or location....help me choose!

We both got the wow factor from the first house, and both got the wow factor from the second's location but we cannot have both!

Help!

hazyjo

What's the rush? Why don't you wait for something to come on the market that you love that's in a great location?

Not saying there won't be compromises... but I do think you have to love the house, but I definitely wouldn't compromise on location. I did compromise on mine in that we bought in an area we didn't first consider, but it's a nice area. I definitely wouldn't take a risk on area is what I mean. Especially in a market like this.

Just sit tight and wait for something to come up. If when you say you've 'sold' you actually mean your buyer's waiting for you to find somewhere, consider renting for 6 months. If you've sold and aren't in a rush to find somewhere, just take your time.

Jx

Mazzawa

hazyjo wrote: »

What's the rush? Why don't you wait for something to come on the market that you love that's in a great location?

Not saying there won't be compromises... but I do think you have to love the house, but I definitely wouldn't compromise on location. I did compromise on mine in that we bought in an area we didn't first consider, but it's a nice area. I definitely wouldn't take a risk on area is what I mean. Especially in a market like this.

Just sit tight and wait for something to come up. If when you say you've 'sold' you actually mean your buyer's waiting for you to find somewhere, consider renting for 6 months. If you've sold and aren't in a rush to find somewhere, just take your time.

Jx

Actually we're in Scotland where you sell first and agree an exchange date then buy so at the moment we have this week and next to buy somewhere or it'll be too late for the exchange date unless a house is already empty (not many around) and we'll be in rented ah! Hope that made sense... Wish we had the English system up here, would be so much less stressful!

hazyjo

Yep, but still no reason to rush - just rent for 6 months Lots of people here are having to do that - and, no, you don't want our system lol. It sucks!

Good luck.

Jx