Planning to start family, should we stay in current home (small) or move before kids arrive?

wannabe_a_saver

I think your husband is 100% right. 
You won't need the extra space for a good few years (it might take a little while to get pregnant, pregnancy takes nine months, babies are small, they sleep in your room for at least 6 months) and the financial gains from staying where you are for a couple more years will be much more beneficial than a big house you don't need right now. 

HanPop

Personally I would move before you have children. Once you have them you will not be able to obtain the same level of mortgage so may never be able to move to a much bigger house that you’ll need once they come along. We were squashed in our old house and it drove me nuts, we were all on top of each other. Then we couldn’t afford what we could pre children. It doesn’t sound like you’ll be having children for a little while so maybe pay down your mortgage a bit first then move before you give birth.

TheProfessional

We did our reasonable size mid-terrace exactly how we wanted. Little one came along and we started looking as we wanted more downstairs space. We moved to a larger 'forever home' when he was 15 months so probably started the process when he was 12 months. 

Best decision we made. So good to have more room and a kitchen-diner-lounge. 
Whether it would have been worthwhile doing the move before he came along is another matter. Maybe

FreeBear

wannabe_a_saver said: and the financial gains from staying where you are for a couple more years will be much more beneficial than a big house you don't need right now. 

Although.... With a bigger house, getting a lodger in can help to defray the costs. Get a good'un, and they could even help out with child care for the first six months or so.

stevenbecca

personally I'd move before the children, yes childcare cost's are high but they also have a massive impact on affordability and obviously you've got to factor in feeding and everything. as they get older and have club's and the likes it soon drinks away at disposable income. 

Emmia

FreeBear said:

wannabe_a_saver said: and the financial gains from staying where you are for a couple more years will be much more beneficial than a big house you don't need right now. 

Although.... With a bigger house, getting a lodger in can help to defray the costs. Get a good'un, and they could even help out with child care for the first six months or so.

I think you'd struggle to find a lodger who will pay rent, and give you free childcare. Normally people who live in and look after the kids, are au pairs or nannies (depending on whether they are formally qualified) and you pay them.

teachfast

One extra little bit of advice: with children garden matters a lot. 

Bluebell1000

Personally I'd stay put. I know a child will reduce mortgage affordability but it's for a reason. If you need to pay childcare they are expensive! You will find you have more options if you aren't tied to an expensive mortgage, e.g to reduce hours if you wish. Or at least a bit of time to get used to the extra costs and decide what is really affordable. If you do decide to move, think about options for schools in the area and it's not all about ofsted rating. We moved house when my eldest was at school. He went from an outstanding to a good primary, he leans much better in the new school.

MFWannabe

Is another option being able to extend current property if you needed to? 

youth_leader

Another option that's just occurred to me is to buy a bigger property, and when you have your children, train to be a childminder.  They are like gold dust where I live, and it really does pay.  Win win if you love children!