Advice needed

indianabones

My friend said to me, if you could get a house mortgage in an area and style that you like, why would choose any other option? We had this discussion because I can afford a house outright up north as well, but in Birmingham I can't afford it outright. My decision though is made by where all of my family live.

Not only would you be owning it outright, you'd be saving on living expenses as well.

But only you can know the answer to this question.

Pixie5740

Do you have to decide now? Why not come back and try living in both Staffordshire and Oxfordshire before making a decision about what to sell and what to buy? Staffordshire seems like the better place to live if you want to be near friends and family (could be useful if you plan on starting a family) but if you can't get jobs there it might not be the ideal place after all.

Do you have any other provisions for your retirement or are you pinning all your hopes on capital appreciation in Oxfordshire?

Hoploz

Location location location.

Where do you want your family to be brought up?

OR ...

If you're starting a family you or your partner might want to be near to one of your families to help each other out. Childcare is extremely expensive so if you and your partner will both want to work then would you have the option of someone looking after the child living in one place or the other? I've never had this luxury myself so I didn't go back to work, but most mums I know who work have relatives looking after their children rather than pay £70 per day for a nursery place which doubles when number 2 comes along.

pinkshoes

Oxford may be expensive, but some of the schools are awful, particuarly in the more affordable areas! I lived there for 5 years but moved to a nice village before having kids!

Surely this whole thing depends on where you get a job???

G_M

Rekw2000 wrote: »

I have two properties, one in Oxfordshire and one in Staffordshire.

Do I sell the Oxfordshire one, which is appreciating significantly, take the equity and buy a bigger house in Staffs with no mortgage?

Do I sell it and risk losing out on appreciation but gain from buying a house up north with no mortgage and therefore will save on interest in the long term?

I can never remember whether 'Staffordshire' has 1 'f' or 2, so I'd keep the Oxforshire property if it were me.