Would it be silly to buy an imperfect property when we could live rent free, just because of my cat?

Drawingaline

As someone who moved due to increased stress bout on street parking, I can tell you that it will make every journey stressful. Will you be able to find parking on your return, will you be able to get down the road to your parking spot etc, etc. If it's as bad as you think then make it one of your absolute must haves and compromise on something else.

When we were searching we had three must haves. Four bedrooms, room for an office (or cheaper house where we could convert a garage) and off street parking. Everything else was a want. So our compromise was mid terrace and three floors. 

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster

It's not daft. We love our little furry friends. I made a commitment to look after our furball and as much as l would like to make a mini rug out of him when he wakes me up at 4 for breakfast and miaows loudly during every teams meeting, l wouldn't give him up. He would be devastated and confused, it took him a month to get over us putting him in a cat home when we went away for a week. 

Skiddaw1

DayDreamerandGeneralWaster said:

It's not daft. We love our little furry friends. I made a commitment to look after our furball and as much as l would like to make a mini rug out of him when he wakes me up at 4 for breakfast and miaows loudly during every teams meeting, l wouldn't give him up. He would be devastated and confused, it took him a month to get over us putting him in a cat home when we went away for a week. 

This in spades. Where we go, our dear boy goes. If he can't go there neither can we. One of the reasons why we moved where we did was for him to have more space and peace (and because as we now live where we used to go on holiday, he'll never ever have to go to a cattery again). OP, I really hope you find a solution.

sb03

@grumiofoundation @SallyDucati @Scorpiogal13   I guess it would make sense to at least try to introduce the cats slowly and see what happens, if it causes too much stress for them I wouldn't do it. They are a male and female cat.

@greensalad My dad has converted his detached double garage into a bedroom, with a small entrance vestibule and shower room, which is where we would be staying, however both cats are outdoor cats (though I don't think my cat would be too bothered about staying indoors?).

sb03

Drawingaline said:

As someone who moved due to increased stress bout on street parking, I can tell you that it will make every journey stressful. Will you be able to find parking on your return, will you be able to get down the road to your parking spot etc, etc. If it's as bad as you think then make it one of your absolute must haves and compromise on something else.

When we were searching we had three must haves. Four bedrooms, room for an office (or cheaper house where we could convert a garage) and off street parking. Everything else was a want. So our compromise was mid terrace and three floors. 

There is off road parking however it is extremely difficult to get to. When I tried to get to it the other day, I had to do a 5 point turn just to get round the bend to the back! The bins make it harder, and I guess I could move them, but its multiple properties bins (domestic and recycling) that are all lined up on the back street, with nowhere else to put them. We thought that removing the small stone wall that wraps round the bend would make it easier, but considering its a listed house in a conservation area I don't think we would get planning permission for that.

I guess it says something that the neighbouring properties also have off road parking at the back but don't seem to park there. I went at 6pm to see what it would be like after I returned home from work, and there was zero space at the front either, so we will be pulling out as I don't think we could deal with the stress. 

We are looking in the NW, and need a 2 bed house in a nice area of our town, with a garden big enough for a shed to fit bikes in (or a garage) for under £200k. Not bothered about on road parking, as long as it's not difficult. I think in the past we have been biased against houses that were a bit 'naff' inside, though these are the things that can actually be changed!

sb03

Greymug said:

sb03 said:

We could save about £14k a year doing this but the only issue is that I would have to rehome my cat, 

It's an easy decision and you have a quantifiable number (14k) to help you make this decision.

Ask yourself: Is having a cat worth £14k a year to you?

I am assuming you don't have any pets as It is certainly not an easy decision! 

greensalad

sb03 said:

@grumiofoundation @SallyDucati @Scorpiogal13   I guess it would make sense to at least try to introduce the cats slowly and see what happens, if it causes too much stress for them I wouldn't do it. They are a male and female cat.

@greensalad My dad has converted his detached double garage into a bedroom, with a small entrance vestibule and shower room, which is where we would be staying, however both cats are outdoor cats (though I don't think my cat would be too bothered about staying indoors?).

If you think your cat could manage being indoor for the time being, I would go with that. You'd want to keep the cat in for a while anyway when you move, to get them used to the new environment. If you're only staying temporarily (even if it's a few months), then you can keep your cat indoors and they won't have to meet?

sb03

greensalad said:

sb03 said:

@grumiofoundation @SallyDucati @Scorpiogal13   I guess it would make sense to at least try to introduce the cats slowly and see what happens, if it causes too much stress for them I wouldn't do it. They are a male and female cat.

@greensalad My dad has converted his detached double garage into a bedroom, with a small entrance vestibule and shower room, which is where we would be staying, however both cats are outdoor cats (though I don't think my cat would be too bothered about staying indoors?).

If you think your cat could manage being indoor for the time being, I would go with that. You'd want to keep the cat in for a while anyway when you move, to get them used to the new environment. If you're only staying temporarily (even if it's a few months), then you can keep your cat indoors and they won't have to meet?

I only say she could manage as when she was ill once and we still kept the litter box inside for a few weeks after she had gotten better, and she didn't seem to bother going outside. Though she has been an outdoor cat for 6 years, and would be confined to a much smaller space at my dads. It could be a good short term solution for a few months until we completed on a purchase or found a property to rent. 

TBagpuss

My guess is that being indoors with her people would be much less stressful than being in a cattery or fostered with a stranger - and you could look at getting her a harness so you could give her some supervised playtime outside, too. And toys and attention indoors so she isn't too board with the lack of outside space.

I suspect that that would be the least-worst short term option, and you could still look at fostering or renting if you found it wasn't working out after a month or two! 

sb03

TBagpuss said:

My guess is that being indoors with her people would be much less stressful than being in a cattery or fostered with a stranger - and you could look at getting her a harness so you could give her some supervised playtime outside, too. And toys and attention indoors so she isn't too board with the lack of outside space.

I suspect that that would be the least-worst short term option, and you could still look at fostering or renting if you found it wasn't working out after a month or two! 

Yes that sounds like a good idea, thank you.