Having a wobble over buying cheap house in 'bad area'

J_i_m

I'm quite picky and dare I say it actually rather snobby about where I want to live.

I've already ruled out certain areas from my house search which if I'm honest restricts my choice from a suitable budget point of view.

I have my reasons for being picky though, whilst I wouldn't want to seem offensive or prejudiced I simply do not fancy living at or around a estate with a reputation for "breaches of the peace" or hotspots for drug addicts and the like hanging around. That may say as much about my morals or lack of them as anybody else.. Yet I'd rather just stay clear if at all possible.

I also don't want to live too close to work. On the face of it that sounds bonkers because living within easy walking distance would be very sensible from a transport cost point of view. However I work at a secure mental health hospital and the thought of any of my current patients (as harsh as it may sound) possibly seeing me at my front door is too much for me. My home privacy from work is very important to me and so I like to reduce the risk that I'll be seen by any of my charges around my home area.

My ideal location would be fairly quiet, on the edge of suburbia with the countryside on the doorstep and yet within reasonable walking distance of the town centre. I'm aware I might have to compromise on some of my hopes though.

Nan_Dingle

However I work at a secure mental health hospital...

Aye, you hear the escape siren going at 2am, moments later an axe crashes through your front door. "Heeeeeres Johnny!":eek:

ruggedtoast

Its time for a Rightmove link!

:j

J_i_m

Nan_Dingle wrote: »

Aye, you hear the escape siren going at 2am, moments later an axe crashes through your front door. "Heeeeeres Johnny!":eek:

I have to admit that axes are a banned item on the ward

To be fair, it's not really like society would typically think it is, but all the same I wouldn't want one of my patients ringing my doorbell hoping that I'd invite them in for a cup of tea.

sniggings

elsien wrote: »

It doesn't scare me. I've been burgled before, if it happens, it happens. All you can is put in some decent locks and not do anything daft like leaving the back door open. If anyone's that determined to get in they will, regardless of where you live.

well you can believe that! but why increase the risk, surely living in an area with less crime, the chance of robbery is less too, that is just obvious.

becool

If I were you I wouldn't dare to buy a house in hardwick area or Grimsbury. I've been living in banbury for around three years and now am buying another house in a different area. In Banbury, Cherwell Height, timms estate are decent areas for kids and famaily and some broughton road and waller drive and bloxam road. If you go for out of town there is a new development called Hanwell which lies in the north of banbury. You can find some nice house at a good price. I wouldn't want to live in Bicester personally though. It has a quite reputation but it's been improving as heard. Like Bicester there are good areas and bad areas in every towns and cities. Banbury is a decent town with a good transport link. However Avoid hardwick and grimsbury.

pinkteapot

Why not sell and then rent in the 'bad' area. Living there is the only way to find out how you find it.

If you do find it OK all you've wasted is an extra set if removal costs. This pales in comparison to the money you'll waste if you buy and then sell again quickly.

becominganobsessivesaver

I lived in a good area of tyneside (renting) followed by a 'bad' area (owner). We are in the process of buying in a new estate in a not so good area.

In the good area we had 2 arson attacks on our flats, plus 3 armed robberies in the newsagents across the road. We lived there 2.5 years. In the first week in our bad area a joyrider crashed through the green outside our house. Initially I thought we had made a HUGE mistake, but then I realised that had they been a local joyrider they would have known it was a cul de sac! We haven't had any other trouble in 7 years!

I think for us it is about balancing space, accessibilty and quality of life. We don't mind having to drive to better schools, restaurants etc. We want to have a nice house, garden and space. We want to be able to afford holidays, meals out etc and so what if people think 'urgh you live there...' I know people who have bought expensive, small houses in desirable areas, and have been offered places for their children in appalling schools in very cheap areas.

At the end of the day it's all about getting a feel for the house, street and immediate area and working out where you would be happy to compromise (there is ALWAYS a compromise or two...)

krlyr

How about looking into some alternative options. E.g. could you afford to buy in a slightly nicer area with an extra bedroom with the view of renting it out to a lodger for extra income? Renting out your garage, parking spot, even the end of your garden as a personal allotment to someone? Or ditto any of this in your current home.

Kittenmum_2

Thanks for your replies everyone.
Yes, I should add I have a 2 1/2 year old son, which is why I'm particularly worried.
Crime wise it only seems slightly worse than Bicester, but the fact that everyone is telling me it's a bad area is very worrying. We have friends who live in the next street they have been there 7 years and like the area but since we've told them we're moving there, we haven't been able to get a straight answer out of them.
I worry if we rent we'll use up all our equity but hopefully I can get a job soon.
Trouble is as well my husband doesn't think it's a bad area as he hasn't been checking out forums or been told by family or friends, so he thinks I am being stupid and trying to ruin our money saving plan.