Would you move house?

econnin

I have a problem similar to another forum user, which has prompted this post.

I had to relocate to a different city and took my little boy with me. He is 5. The rented house I chose to get me here is reasonably cheap however it is old and tatty, has damp problems, the garden is a concrete mess and basically unusable, it's near a very very busy junction and it doesn't completely work for me and my possessions. I've been here 8 months. I'm starting to save for a house deposit however this will take 3 or 4 years. My question is this: would you move now to a more expensive house in a better condition and a better location near the school, with a nice garden so my son can play outside and do all the things little ones should do in their own garden like having a paddling pool or riding a bike, or would you stay put for 3 or 4 years living in an ok house and save the extra money? My worry is that my son will be that much older and missed out on outside play etc, and my enjoyment of the house would be limited (I spend most of my leisure time here being a single mum) but if I moved it would mean more money = less savings.

What would you do?

I should add that we have moved a lot over the past 2 years which is a good and bad thing (my son is adaptable but I also want him to be settled). I can afford extra rent as I have a good job. If I stay here I will have to spend a lot of money getting the garden sorted which will involve tree surgeons and will basically cost me a small fortune for a garden that isn't mine. But cheaper rent, no moving costs etc. Help!

GwylimT

I would never live in a home with a damp problem with my children, so I personally would move as soon as possible if the problem isn't being rectified by the landlord.

belfastgirl23

If I didn't like where I was living and could afford to move, I'd move. You might well find that there are some cost savings anyway if you move somewhere that's not damp (heat wise) and that you're happy to spend time in.

Also as GwylimT says damp is NOT a good idea health wise. A friend of mine when she was living in a damp house had constant colds and chest infections. Once she moved, it all cleared up.

Get going I'd say

Any

In your case, I would move. Damp problem? Small child? No outside? Yep, move.
The thing is, nice time and memories well outweigh the feeling that we must OWN something, an asset, a house or a car.
Also what about savings from using less petrol etc as you will be closer?
Did you take that into account?

PasturesNew

Move now. 3-4 years is a long time .... and if something happens in the middle of that so it takes longer .....

Move now and be happy.

econnin

Thank you everyone. It's funny how in real life when you ask people they can never give you a straight answer, unlike on here!

I'll move, decision made.

Thanks again

DigForVictory

Boys are not container plants. They need space, to run, jump, trike, trip, jump, bump, lump & generally have a good time.

Pack up & move with all reasonable speed, with a clear eye on space & schools!

(We did. Moving with three under 5 has to be one of the most fraught experiences I've survived yet, but they've *thrived* in the new location!)

Frugalbride

I'd do some research and see what is available in your price range and look at council tax bands, energy ratings (epc) and commuting costs as there may be some money that you can save on overall.
As an example I am paying council tax C in a flat and my sister pays A living in a house. Her water bill is also much cheaper, despite the flat being on a meter and her house being unmetered, as is her car insurance as she has a garage. If we were paying market rent I would be feeling ripped off by these extra costs!

After some great advice on this forum I have decided to stay where I am to make savings but I do also think that you need to be happy where you are and 3-4 years is a long time to live with damp and an unsuitable garden.

I hope you don't mind me saying that reading between the lines of your post I thought that you had already made up your mind to move but wanted to feel reassured that you could still save and that your son would be OK with another move. I'm sure both these things will work out absolutely fine. Good luck.

econnin

Yes ultimately it all comes down to what's good for my son and I am worried about moving him again. And yes, I think my mind was made up, I just needed reassurance that I'm not being silly.

Making decisions on your own that affect another person's life is not easy so I'm extremely grateful for your responses x

Billie-S

Are you on the social housing list hun? Sounds like you need and deserve to be housed quite soon.

You can always buy later on, or even buy the house you get given from the LAA/HA.