Am I crazy to consider buying a house in a new city I haven't lived in?

bp5678

I've been very interested in moving to a particular new city in the UK for the last 2 years. I've done extensive research on the city and in fact I feel I know it better than where I currently live. I know it to the point I know all suburbs in detail, all streets etc and am part of the cities subreddit page as well as following the city on various forums and Facebook groups for general news, updates etc etc.

I was considering renting for 6 months in the city to get a feel for the place then buying however I'm not sure if this is necessary to rent 6 months to begin with. I want to get on the property ladder sooner rather than later and as I say I know the city very well. I'm currently living with my parents but I have visited this city twice... both times for a week and explored the city in detail. One of the weeks I cycled around the city so could explore literally everywhere and I was staying in the particular suburb I wanted to live in.

Am I crazy to consider buying a house in a new city I haven't lived in?

FinallyStoppedLurking

I think this very much depends on the type of person you are.
I'd consider myself a very independent person but I don't think I could bring myself to move to a city where I had no ties. 
The current situation with Covid could also mean it is very difficult to establish yourself there. 

Falafels

I've moved to places where I knew hardly anyone; I'm quite an outgoing person with interests which would naturally be quite sociable, and had no trouble getting to meet people and establish myself.

However, socialising of any kind is completely off the agenda right now and unless you're content with Facebook groups and the like, you would be very lonely.

Crazy? No. 

But it's not something I'd consider for the foreseeable future.

Splatfoot

No, not crazy. Forums are also a good way of guaging areas and people's experiences of them. Are you willing to tell us which city? E.g I know Brighton like the back of my hand. 

bp5678

FinallyStoppedLurking said:

I think this very much depends on the type of person you are.
I'd consider myself a very independent person but I don't think I could bring myself to move to a city where I had no ties. 
The current situation with Covid could also mean it is very difficult to establish yourself there. 

Hey thanks. I know fully well I can move to a new city but what I was really asking was whether it is crazy to buy a property in a new city without initially renting to get a feel for the place? I feel I already have extensive knowledge about the city from loads of research and visited a couple of times.

bp5678

Falafels said:

I've moved to places where I knew hardly anyone; I'm quite an outgoing person with interests which would naturally be quite sociable, and had no trouble getting to meet people and establish myself.

However, socialising of any kind is completely off the agenda right now and unless you're content with Facebook groups and the like, you would be very lonely.

Crazy? No. 

But it's not something I'd consider for the foreseeable future.

Thanks as well but what I'm really trying to establish is whether it is crazy to buy a house in a new city (which is obviously a major commitment) without renting in the area first to see if the new city is for me? 

I'm not really asking about making friends etc in a new area. I know my personality and would welcome moving somewhere new. Just trying to look at it more financially so thought I'd turn to MSE.

SaintJudy

bp5678 said:

FinallyStoppedLurking said:

I think this very much depends on the type of person you are.
I'd consider myself a very independent person but I don't think I could bring myself to move to a city where I had no ties. 
The current situation with Covid could also mean it is very difficult to establish yourself there. 

Hey thanks. I know fully well I can move to a new city but what I was really asking was whether it is crazy to buy a property in a new city without initially renting to get a feel for the place? I feel I already have extensive knowledge about the city from loads of research and visited a couple of times.

I don't think you are at all, in fact that's exactly what I'm doing!  

FinallyStoppedLurking

Lot's of factors so it's difficult to know.

Is the move related to your work or will you need to change jobs with the move? What is it that attracted you to that city over anywhere else? 

What makes you want to live their over any other city you've lived before?

Falafels

Way back, when house prices had started to soar in London but the rest of the country hadn't caught up, my then partner and I bought a place in Birmingham - it certainly made financial sense. It sounds as though you are far more familiar with your chosen destination than we were with Brum!

My partner's moved house to unknown places many times over the years for work, with no problems.

nora_nora

I did it 4 years ago after living for 30 years in the same place. Not a new city but a new town i didn't know & had no ties with and left my relatives and friends behind for a new beginning. Best thing i ever did. I've never regretted it, never looked back & absolutely love where i live. I'm the sort of person who could keep doing it again but some people couldn't so it depends on the sort of person you are. Some find it scary, i found it exciting.

MovingForwards

I moved to Scotland after only visiting an area 3 times. No job, but got one the morning after moving and one friend, built up a circle of friends over time.
Took me 3.5 years to save my deposit and I moved from the city I originally moved to, to another county I never lived in. The only time I even stepped out my car in my new area was when I viewed the property. 
I did loads of online research but also had a couple of good / trusted friends who knew the areas I was looking at, and also told me which ones not to look at!

If I would have had the money / job to buy straight off, I would have. I made my home here and knew I wouldn't be returning to where I came from.

That's me though, I'm happy to take chances / risks, not many are.