moving and regretting it - practicalities of moving again so soon

Tancred

aliby21 wrote: »

Hi everyone.

I moved here three months ago, it was meant to be my home for next 15-20 years, but I'm really not sure I've done the right thing. I knew the compromise I was making and convinced myself it would be ok, but now I am here I don't think I can live with it. I am seriously considering moving on again.

So what are the things I need to think about, practically? I know I will lose money, with all the moving costs. I've now also got all my money tied up in this house - when I bought I was a cash buyer. So should I look to move to rented? Should I do any work at all on the house (had great plans for things I wanted to do, esp as last owners specialised in cheap and tacky). What can I do to mitigate the inevitable bad impression on potential purchaser of me moving on again so soon? What else do I need to think about?

Basically, is there any strategy to help minimise the negatives of a bad situation?

any helpful advice welcome .....

I've just started a thread asking how often people have this feeling of dread upon settling into a new house.

You are very lucky as you are a cash buyer. You certainly can move and it will certainly cost you money, but my guess is that you can probably afford it. Hopefully, given the rising market, you'll be able to sell at a higher price and recoup most of your stamp duty.

My advice is that before you invest much money in the house have some long and serious thoughts about whether you really want to carry on living there, because you will not get your money back if you decide to spend now. Better to keep the money for a future move.

Until the morons who rule us decided to increase SDLT to 3% for houses above £250k moving house was not a particularly expensive thing to do. Unfortunately the 3% is a 'killer' for anyone who wants or needs to move frequently.

Look at the current market and whether you can achieve an increased price now, then decide. In many cases you'll be able to find a nicer house for a cheaper price in another area - maybe it will mean a longer commute but at least you'll be happier.

xylophone

The cat does not have to go outside.
I had a cat from kitten age) in a second floor flat (with hygienic and convenient place for litter tray), and he was perfectly happy.

He adapted easily to a garden when I bought a house when he was about three.

Tancred

aliby21 wrote: »

Thanks people, good to know others have doubts after moving too. My problem is the road. I knew it was busy, but thought I could get used to it, and I've tried I really have. But then last weekend my cat got run over. I know, please don't say anything about my stupidity, I am beating myself up enough already. I can't believe that I thought my animal's safety was something I could compromise on, I should've put that top of my house search priorities. My neighbour cheerfully tells me she's had three run over in ten years. I can't face that, and I don't want to live without them - yes I am a mad cat woman - so moving again looks like it is on the cards

One thing you'll never be able to change is the outside area.

Have your house valued with some agents and see how much you can get for it. If you do decide to sell, make sure you cut your costs to the bone by going with an on-line agent or a low fee one.

carefullycautious

Bless you, that is enough to make anyone feel awful and unsettled.

Just to give some perspective we lived on a quiet road and our neighbours cat got killed by roaming onto a busy road so it does not always follow that it would not happen.

In fact a friend moved into a cottage in the middle of fields no neighbours in sight and lost her puss one night never to be found again.

Give yourself time to grieve and see how you feel in a given timespan say 6 months. At least you will be able to do bits and bobs to improve the house for new buyers if you decide to move on.

Old_Git

I moved in May ,I still haven't settled in .

Tancred

I wouldn't move simply because my cat got run over. The issues that would affect me are anything to do with the house, the area where the house is, or the neighbours.

paulineb_2

aliby21 wrote: »

Thanks people, good to know others have doubts after moving too. My problem is the road. I knew it was busy, but thought I could get used to it, and I've tried I really have. But then last weekend my cat got run over. I know, please don't say anything about my stupidity, I am beating myself up enough already. I can't believe that I thought my animal's safety was something I could compromise on, I should've put that top of my house search priorities. My neighbour cheerfully tells me she's had three run over in ten years. I can't face that, and I don't want to live without them - yes I am a mad cat woman - so moving again looks like it is on the cards

Sorry about your cat, really sorry, my mums cat was killed by a car last year, its awful.

But I agree, they dont need to be outdoor cats. I have cats, all indoor, always have been and they are fine with not getting out, I also live near a very busy road, on a bus route.

As for your neighbour, if I had one cat killed on a road, I certainly wouldnt have let another two out.

DigForVictory

Grief and shock make moving at once seem sensible. (My sister had to have a loved cat put to sleep this morning, so I do appreciate how horrible it feels.) Please, give yourself a chance to grieve before making any decision of this size and cost?

After a couple of weeks do a pros & cons of the costs & (as has been rightly said!) stay off Rightmove.

There are also those who say three months isn't long enough, and again, they have a point. It was when we went back to the old house to show the lads where they'd been born that we realised the racket of lviing near (but not officially under) the flightpath. Traffic can become soothing given time, like waves on the beach, but I gather that takes practice & three months may well not be long enough yet.

Be gentle with yourself - and try to remember what it was about the house that made it look like the place you wanted to stay in for decades?

bagpussbear

Sorry to hear about your cat, very upsetting, but you know you could still rehome cats that are just indoor cats, the rescue centres have lots of FIV cats so don't give up (speaking as one cat lover to another :-))

Could you adjust the rooms around if the noise of the road bothers you, eg, swapping your bedroom to the back of the house or something?

I think your grief is clouding your judgement here OP, especially if the place meets expectations in other ways eg. good neighbours, maybe give it a year?

I hope you start to feel settled soon.

aliby21

Soleil_lune wrote: »

Doesn't sound good Aliby We have cats, and a home in a cul de sac or on a road that was very quiet was essential. Sorry about your cat.

That is what I should've prioritised. Naively I thought I'd be able to do enough with drainpipe along the top of fences to deter exit onto the road and this along with the back being appealing hunting territory would be enough.

Just to give some perspective we lived on a quiet road and our neighbours cat got killed by roaming onto a busy road so it does not always follow that it would not happen.

In fact a friend moved into a cottage in the middle of fields no neighbours in sight and lost her puss one night never to be found again.

yeah, I know it can happen anywhere .. just it happening here so soon has really shaken me up.

I'll try and not do anything (even more) stupid, but might ring some estate agents next week to get advice on what if any work it would be sensible to do if I'm not going to be here long