Extend or Move?

taylor86

FreeBear said:

A third option - If the garden is big enough, what about an office at the end of the garden ?

£30K would get you a very well designed/built space. Insulated, with power, it would be usable all year round. Also separates hubby's work from the main house, so gives him opportunity to "switch off" in that short walk down the garden.

Thanks for the suggestion, we have considered this however we have ‘done’ the garden which means removing a new patio. Not a deal breaker if it works but hesitant. 

[Deleted User]

How big of an issue is the noise problem exactly? Because staying and extending won't solve that. 

We have the same problem with noise, and whilst it is just about tolerable (the couple we are attached to are an older couple so no screaming kids or anything), we are mindful that we might not be so lucky with the next people who live there if they ever decide to move. So to that end, we will be looking to move to a detached as soon as we can. 

So I guess what you need to be thinking about, is there any point investing all your money in future proofing your home when it might end up not being a long term home for you anyway. 

Flugelhorn

move - if you make the house "different" by altering it in a particular way then it may make it harder to sell.

Sistergold

taylor86 said:

Thanks for all your input, I appreciate it.

With the budget we have it’s likely we could afford a 3 bed with an extension already or potentially 4 bed detached, likely a new build which would be smaller square footage but would tick all the boxes. Or we could move further afield and get something ideal which would be a school move (not ideal).

If you can afford a detached I don’t see why you wonder if you should move? Detached is your best chance of no noise? 

taylor86

It does seem like a no brainer I suppose. The grass isn’t always greener though so I’m always grateful for others opinions. 

Racky_Roo

Sometimes smaller square footage doesn't feel smaller. New homes tend to be configured better to work for family living now rather than in the 60's so I would check out a new detached house before deciding.
I also have noisy neighbours so sympathise and would definitely move to a detached house if I could afford it. I have just put in soundproofing last weekend so hoping it will reduce the noise travelling through

MrsPorridge

We were lucky enough to move to a detached house 20 years ago - after years of living in a flat then a terraced house - best move we ever made.  I would urge you if you can afford detached then go for it.

AnotherJoe

taylor86 said:

FreeBear said:

A third option - If the garden is big enough, what about an office at the end of the garden ?

£30K would get you a very well designed/built space. Insulated, with power, it would be usable all year round. Also separates hubby's work from the main house, so gives him opportunity to "switch off" in that short walk down the garden.

Thanks for the suggestion, we have considered this however we have ‘done’ the garden which means removing a new patio. Not a deal breaker if it works but hesitant. 

Unless you stay in the house long term, so you get use of it over many years, you wont get much value back from your expensive garden office, so kiss goodbye to that £30k.

This of course also doesnt address noise to which the only answer really is a detached house.  Sure, school moves arent ideal but either suck it up, or hang on a few years until a school move is more convenient, maybe hubby could rent an office space nearby to tide him over?

Many years ago we moved ten miles from where we wanted to be ideally in order to be able to afford a detached house after some years of having "ordinary" noisy neighbours in terraces , could have been much worse with inconsiderate ones.You only need next door to sell to someone inconsiderate and you'll wish with all your heart you'd moved.

BikingBud

Inconsiderate neighbours can also be just over the fence in a detached house. You may be able to stay within the sanctuary and close all the doors and windows but your quiet enjoyment of your garden cannot be assured.

AnotherJoe

BikingBud said:

Inconsiderate neighbours can also be just over the fence in a detached house. You may be able to stay within the sanctuary and close all the doors and windows but your quiet enjoyment of your garden cannot be assured.

Of course but you start from a far better position with a detached house. Even ordinary noises from normal activity can be a massive nuisance if the sound insulation is poor.