Concerned about move - should we do it or not??

Charliezoo

I know only I can make this decision but I just wanted some opinions.

We live in a Herts village, a couple of mins from the M1 and M25 and a half hour commute into London. It's a lovely safe place but we're considering moving for several reasons. There's a planning application for lots of houses and flats directly behind our house which will overshadow/overlook our garden. There's a large development of 450 houses going up a few mins away but no new schools or other amenities planned. We also need to make expensive improvements to this house in order to be happy here long term - we could put this money into another bigger house instead. We've noticed that we can get a huge house with land and outbuildings (DH's dream) by moving about 45 mins further North and we're very tempted. The problem is houses don't seem to sell very quickly in that area - the 2 houses we like have been on the market for nearly a year which worries me. Houses in our area seem to sell within a couple of weeks. Should alarm bells be ringing? There's also very little in and around that area, it's a bit out in the sticks compared to what we're used to.

We're going to visit the area a few times and view the houses to see what we think but what does everyone think about our potential move - it it a bad idea?

Yorkie1

You'll need to factor in the increased commute to central London (if I've read your post correctly), both in time and money.

Will you be happy being so rural? What sort of local facilities are there? Would you have to get into the car simply to get a pint or milk or newspaper?

Have you checked out the police.uk website to see why there are problems in selling houses - is there local crime, for example? Or are they just overpriced?

Could you plant tall trees in your garden to provide screening instead of moving?

The existence of the planning application may well have an impact on the sale price of your home, compared to what you would achieve without it. Do you need the maximum amount in order to make the move possible?

motherofstudents

As you say, only you can make the decision and Yorkie has raised some important points. I would definitely try to make the move as it sounds like you would be in a better environment (of course after checking out the area etc). That would be my feeling but I prefer a more rural area especially with land and outbuildings. It does sound like where you are living now is going to change quite a lot. You just have to do your homework - find out as much as possible about he area, visit at different times and speak to the locals. Good luck whatever you decide.

robatwork

I understand you don't want to say where you live, but where exactly is the mystery destination 45 mins away? By telling us that you can get some opinions of people who actually live there.....

MK?

Dan-Dan

To me it sounds like Kings Langley or similar ?

silvercar

There's a planning application for lots of houses and flats directly behind our house which will overshadow/overlook our garden.

Will the application succeed?

There's a large development of 450 houses going up a few mins away but no new schools or other amenities planned.

Are you sure about this? Generally that number of homes would generate a plan for amenities. Could it be that the local schools have places at the moment.

I live not too far from M1/ M25 junction and a lot of people in the area send to private schools, where I guess there is capacity. There are many children making coach journeys to state schools in the area without a problem. In general, I would say we are well served by a variety of schools.

Dimey

The planning application for lots of houses might be a downer for potential purchasers of your house. There will be noise and disruption for quite some time.

If it were me I'd either move fast or wait till the houses are up and the prospective purchasers take the location at face value.

I wouldn't worry about being 45 mins further out of London. I'd focus on a nice location and lovely home property.

Thrugelmir

How much will it cost you to sell and buy? Perhaps the money would be better spent extending your existing property.

I_have_spoken

Without knowing the specifics -

1) Turning a 30 min commute into a 75 min commute into London will be a major impact on quality of life (I did 55 mins for years, and it was getting grim)

2) 'expensive improvements', remember it's usually pointless to make yours the best house in an iffy street to try and beat the top price ever paid.

3) A new build that close will be disruptive, there's one about 10 mins walk away from me and you still easily hear the diggers on a calm day.

4) 'a huge house with land and outbuildings' could easily be a money pit and very expensive to heat. I'd be thinking ages old C/H, 'nail sick' roof, damp, no insulation, 'blown' plaster etc.