“Perfect house…” BUT same street at PARENTS

RHemmings

Your kids, if young, may well appreciate having their grandparents quite close. It would be tricky to talk to them about it though, I would guess, because they may let the cat out of the bag at some inappropriate time. 

lincroft1710

marcia_ said:

 Used to be the done thing to rent or buy in the same street as close family. But this was when families were much closer supporting each other daily. I lived in thd same street as aunts. Cousins and just round the corner from my mum 

Very true, my grandparents and great aunts/uncles lived in parallel streets as did one of the children. In the 3 streets around where I grew up there were brothers, cousins, children all living very close to each other

savagelyric

I live on the estate next to my parents, it's a six minute walk. We get along and although they have an open house (we can go round anytime), they wouldn't dream of coming round to mine uninvited! It was handy for me when my child was younger for occasional baby-sitting and it will be handy for me to help out as they get older (they are in their 70-80s). Win-win for us but obviously this is hugely dependant on your family dynamic. 

MeteredOut

Do you really need to tell them? "Oh, we were just out walking in this area. Again"

Seriously though, speak to them if you're going ahead. They may have strong feelings on wanting to/or not wanting to, for example, help with childcare. You may want them to or you may not want them to. What you don't want is them thinking you're moving closer so they are free childcare.

Albermarle

Maybe you should take into account what will happen when your parents get older, and possibly more infirm.

If you were the type to be giving them a regular helping hand, sorting out bills, carers, taking them to hospital appointments, tending the garden etc it might be handy to live close by.
On the other hand if you wanted to take a more hands off approach it could be easier, if you did not live nearly.

daveyjp

My mum's parents lived on the next street and it was brilliant growing up having grandparents close by.

However once they were into their 90s as soon as adult social care knew there was a relative close by to do their work that's what happened and they really took advantage of it.

strawb_shortcake

I would live on the same street as my parents, however my dream isn't on the same street so that's not going to happen. 

We are however thinking of moving to the same town as them, they are needing more help around the house  and that falls to my Husband and I so makes sense to us to be closer.

A family I know has the Grandmother, two daughters a granddaughter and her family in 4 houses in the same street.

elsien

When my mother was considering moving in directly next door to me, I told her if she did I’d move. 

She also took to turning up unexpectedly so I would just either ignore the bell, or answer the door and say sorry, I’m busy go away. 

Depends how willing you are to be assertive with your parents if required.

Having said that my mother now lives on the same street as her divorced ex-husband. They just ignore each other if they happen to pass by. 

daivid

8 doors away may be ideal if it gets to a stage your parents need support to remain in their home, or an unfair burden if it means siblings leave you to do everything. Really only you can say if it’s right, I know a few sets of parents and grown children who live next door, in some cases it seems natural, in others it seems almost controlling. One of my neighbours has two grown children living within a 100m, though not on the same street, seems to work fine for them.

Bonniepurple

We sold my late parents’ house to the son of the next door neighbour who bought it for his sons.  It was win win - we sold without hassle, the guy knew that there would be someone available to dash round if there was a problem.  My grandmother and later my brother lived a few doors down but privacy was respected.  I’d love my brother to buy a house down the from me as I can walk down and he can cook Christmas dinner!

Basically, agree ground rules first and it’ll be fine.