I must be mad, but...

Bonniepurple

After the last time we moved I vowed that the only way I would move again was in a box aka coffin.  3.5 years on and a promotion has made our options slightly more, as has a lump sum from family.  We’ve been toying with an extension but it doesn’t seem likely that we will get planning for what we want/need (downstairs bedroom and shower room, bigger room upstairs) and so we are seriously thinking about moving. Again.  This time we will stay within a mile or so.  We can’t do it just yet (finances no way prepared for a mortgage) but Ive a feeling I may well be coming back to this board!

Flugelhorn

you never know about the planning permssion, maybe the best route to try out first

daivid

My local authority's planning department offer free 30 minute consultations with a planning officer (not sure how/if this is happening right now...). I took along plans (rough but with the key measurements and details) to discuss what I wanted to do with a house I was going to offer on. The planning officer told me what I had planned would recommended for approval by them, whilst this was no guarantee it seemed like advice well worth getting. The other thing you could do is talk to your neighbours (not the ideal timing I know...) as if they are all amiable to your plans that will help, also if you are not going to do the the work in any rush they may have time to come round to the idea if initially unsure. If you are on good terms you could bring up that you are trying to decide between an extension and a house move. Surely a good neighbour building a modest extension is better than rolling the dice on a new neighbour who may push through something much more significant.

Bonniepurple

Sadly we’ve had the planning officer around and he did not seem positive at all.  There’s also other issues too - the road and the distance to school being just two.  We like where we live but we should be in position to buy something nicer and bigger in a few months.

RelievedSheff

The one thing you can't change about a property is the location. It does sound like you have your mind made up about moving.

Bonniepurple

RelievedSheff said:

The one thing you can't change about a property is the location. It does sound like you have your mind made up about moving.

I think so.  It hasn’t helped that I’ve become disabled and on a bad day struggle to get to the end of the drive (long and narrow, steps leading down!).  So much to consider though!

nnewtoarea

Get some agents around for valuation of your house, to get an idea of your sale price.

hb2

Bonniepurple said:

RelievedSheff said:

The one thing you can't change about a property is the location. It does sound like you have your mind made up about moving.

I think so.  It hasn’t helped that I’ve become disabled and on a bad day struggle to get to the end of the drive (long and narrow, steps leading down!).  So much to consider though!

I'm sorry that you have become less able. I'm in a similar situation and know how difficult it can make life if the home is no longer meeting your needs. If/when you do decide to move, I suggest that you look ahead as far as possible and anticipate future needs (I know that nothing is ever certain). You might not need a walk-in shower, or level access just now (and hopefully never will) but you won't want to move again in a few years if it is not absolutely necessary.

We are older than you and moved into a ground floor flat 3 years ago, really hoping that we have 'future-proofed' as much as possible and will be able to stay here until we are ready for that box!