buying a new home question

[chiwifey]

Hey gals! As I've told you we accepted an offer on our house so it's time to get serious about finding our new home because closing is beginning of April. We are torn on what should do as far as our new home. We are exploring 2 different options. I'll list them below and would like you share what you would do and if there's other things I should be thinking about. 

Option #1:
-smaller, older house (not super old), room for our family but not a ton of room really for guests and we enjoy hosting friends and family from out of town
-less desirable floor plan (not as open)
-great downtown: coffee shops, non chain restaurants, great parks, boutiques (this is the type of shopping/dining experience we prefer) 
-wonderful schools
-a bit of a stretch for our budget but definitely doable

Option #2: 
-large, newer homes (plenty of room for guests)
-the floor plan I LOVE
-no downtown, more of a big shopping area like Target etc and chain restaurants
-ok/good schools
-well within budget

I think just by typing it out I know my answer but would love to hear input.

Thanks girlfriends! 

[jenny935]

I think you will know in your gut! I'm personally a "well within budget" person because then there's money to improve everything else. Good luck with your choice, and I hope it's the same choice DH has!!

[harperandco]

I would personally choose #2.

[leahb12]

We did the smaller, older home close to the city and close to its own downtown. Our house is super cute and completely updated, but I don't see us being here forever. At some point, we're just going to want more space. If you ever want to talk Chicago burbs with me, message me. I did a lot of looking.

[cinc1em]

I'm more of an option 1 person because of the family friendly aspects of the lifestyle you describe. Schools, great downtown, etc. I'm guessing it's walkable? That would be fabulous.

A bigger home doesn't necessarily mean a better home, but I can see the appeal of big & new as well

[ruthie]

The real me is all about number one. But, the mom me is number two all the way. With multiple littles, I think an open floor plan and space are a huge deal. When the babies are tiny, how easy will it be to cook and be able to watch them? How will you carry multiple babies to their rooms for naps? How about toy storage? And, as much as I'd love to be in a fun downtown area, I'm much more interested in chain, child friendly restaurants and the ease of big box stores when it comes to going out or pushing a double stroller.

TBH, I hate that I love the suburbs, but it really makes our life easier. We will definitely be moving closer to town when the boys grow up, but for now, bring on the cheap houses and the Super Targets!

[christina]

I would go with option #2.
We started out with the well within our means house as our first house, moved to the top of our budget house in a more desirable neighborhood/area and ended up moving to a house that is between those two points and it's nice to have extra money to do things with. We are now able to take better vacations, eat out when/where we want, and do other fun things as well as save more money for our futures and for our child/ren's college/etc.

[luvboston]

#2 without a doubt
We live in a house built in 1850 its a pita we have numerous issues and I desp want to sell

[kmc84]

#2 sounds like the better option to me!

[mrsamyd]

We did #1 and we love where we live. I think a big decision factor for you is honestly the schools. If you are at all nervous about the schools for #2, any sort of paid schooling x3 will negate ALL savings between the two.

Another factor you don't mention is YH commute. Cost of commuting aside, what is the time away from home difference and if the commute is 20min different, are you prepared to have him out of pocket for another 40min per day?

Good luck! It is a huge decision!

[chiwifey]

Thank you all so much! All good points and very helpful!

mrsamyd we are only considering one neighborhood in the #2 option and it borders the town in #1 so we are 10 mins from all the good stuff in #1 and DH's commute is only a few mins different as he works in the town in #1.

This is hard! Ha!

Thanks again!

[karabear4409]

I think I would do house #2. I would want to be more comfortable in my budget and have the extra space. The only reason I would have any doubts is the schools, but as long as the schools are still good, #2 would be my choice.

We live in an suburban area, where we are five minutes from the grocery store restaurants are target. I love it. I can't imagine life any other way!

[mrsamyd]

Feb 17, 2015 16:47:49 GMT -5 chiwifey said:

Thank you all so much! All good points and very helpful!

mrsamyd we are only considering one neighborhood in the #2 option and it borders the town in #1 so we are 10 mins from all the good stuff in #1 and DH's commute is only a few mins different as he works in the town in #1.

This is hard! Ha!

Thanks again!

Ahhh...the zero factor on the commute is hard to ignore. For us the difference between 1 and 2 would have been a 20-45min swing each way on the commute. 

Better get investigating on the schools! I know the schools here do tours. 

[Robeano]

I think I would go with number 2. Although you didn't mention how big the property is. That is one of my factors. Big yard

[richzep]

We're in the same boat and chose a similar option to #2. Cheaper and more space just makes the most sense for us right now.
I really don't see myself exploring the town with a toddler and twins. I do see myself being at home A LOT so spacious seemed more of a necessity.
Good luck. Exciting choices!

[chiwifey]

Right now there aren't any good options for either scenario but this does help me/us decide where to focus our search. Hopefully the market opens up more in the next few weeks.

[ccam]

I'm a little torn because of the schools but since you said they're still good and you're only 10 mins from everything, I'd say #2. I personally wouldn't want to be doing it all over again in a few years when you outgrow #1. Good luck!

[phishgirl]

#2 for my vote as well.

[imoverit]

Número dose all the way.

[jbdamonm]

Another vote for number 2 - I would always go with a newer vs. older though - that's very high on my priority list, so take my answer with a grain of salt!

[mdiblasi]

How old is old? That would make a difference to me. We just bought a home (built in the 1970's - never know what's considered old since different parts of the country are much older than others, plus diff opinions, etc) We moved from a tiny house built in the 1950's on the border of a terrible area. We are now in the 7th safest city in the US. Safety and schools are a big deal to me, since location is what it is. I don't mind fixing up houses, but size isn't something you can necessarily change. With your two options, I am somewhat torn. Newer homes by us typically have mello roos taxes on top of homeowners assoc costs so it makes them more expensive than just a mortgage and property tax. It's a tough one! Good luck!

[1983lindsey]

We literally had to make the exact same decision two years ago. We went with #2 and it is 10 min north from where I wanted to be, but I don't regret the decision at all. It is a great house we can grow in and having guest be able to stay here too is very helpful because DHs family lives 3 hours away. Ten min away isn't bad at all. I am not sure why I was so worried about it. Good luck with whatever you choose!

[bzeetyd]

We'll be facing a similar choice in our future but with the school situation flopped and hopefully acreage included in the 2nd option. It's a really hard decision.

What are the yards like for playing/entertaining/living? That's an important factor for me.

For the info you have here, Number 1 - for all the awesomeness you mentioned and I like homes with history. I love the idea of walking to places like you mentioned and I'm generally not into chain restaurants n such.