I can't think straight lately - My husband is not of much help in this matter, So I am turning to you (Plus seeing it all spelled out is going to help me, right?) - Here's the scoop:
We found a 2 bedroom 1 bath house a block from my parents house. They live 12 miles north of us now.
We currently live in a condo 3/2. 1050 sq ft living space. My landlord is fantastic and we live right across from the pool. The condo has been having some problems lately - but all very fixable.
The house is a 2/1 (900 sq ft living space). So we would lose a bathroom and a bedroom (and a community pool) but gain the biggest fenced in backyard in the neighborhood. MT could actually go outside in our yard and play! I could actually leave clothes/diapers on racks to dry while I was gone and not worry the neighbors will steal them. There is a shed outside to store things in ... As it is now, god willing everything is fine in utero, the 2 children would have to share a room at either place so losing a bedroom IN that aspect isn't a big deal to me. The kitchen area is much bigger/newer/functional with many more cabinets at the house. The rooms are not that much smaller. But, yes we would be downsizing considerable. And moving more north from my husbands job, playgroups, my job, Etc. We are very central located right now. But its just 12 miles ...
Instead of being 5-15 mins from his playgroup areas, I would be about 15-25 mins away. Instead of being 15-20 mins from my parents, We'd be 2 mins walking time. We would save about $900 a yr. (I am taking out what I think we will spend in gas for moving more north)
Yes there are pros/cons to being that close to parents. My parents even though a PITA a times, are very willing to help us out. I mean, all families come with annoying tendencies, Ya know what I mean? So ..Imagine your parents being mostly the helpful kind with annoying ticks - having a 17 month old and a 1 month old .... What would you do, Condo or House?
*either way we will still be renting - forgot to include that. So yes there will be some point that we would eventually have to move again if the smallness does seem to become a factor for the children. Keep yout opinions coming. This is helping so much!
29 comments:
House!
Are you buying or renting the house? I think to me, a lot of it would come down to dollars and cents. If it was a good financial decision, downsizing isn't bad at all.
I think you really will need the extra help with such young kids and the financial aspect is really tempting. I think I would do the house.
My only other concern is whether the house has any problems structurally, etc. You don't want to be saving 900 dollars, but then have to sink 2k for roof repairs, etc.
Good luck!
I'd about sell my soul for a bigger kitchen, especially with #2 on the way. and a fenced backyard!
House! :-)
Wow, I'd go condo, because there's no way I'd want to give up a bedroom. Space is important to me. Without it, the house feels more cluttered, and then I'm always tense. Also, hubby's commute would matter to me, because I'd want him home ASAP to help with the kids. The less time he spends in the car, the better.
This may seem to contradict that last point, but I also wouldn't see it as a big deal to my moderately closer to the parents. But then, my parents are several hours away by plane, so "5 minutes away" and "25 minutes away" are equivalent. I don't see them helping any more/less just because of 10 extra miles.
Hard choice to make. I would worry about the lack of sq/ft once the tots become mobile. I think that you will reach the point where the extra space will be needed. baby vs toddler stuff etc. You will also be looking at another move once the children grow and want their own space.
House. Your kids would be happy to have a yard and have the grandparents so close. Are you thinking of buying or renting?
Losing a bedroom and a bathroom is tough...even though you'd be gaining some other bonuses, you need to think about how well it would do if you were to resell it. Usually, 3 bedroom houses do better than 2. Just my 2 cents since you asked!
What a choice you have. It seems that both have strong points for each. The house sounds great, but you have some good points for the condo too. Do you have a pool close to the house you can go to? I know 10 miles is not terribly long, but I think you would get more help if you parents can even just pop over for a 1/2 hour here and there. Good luck with this choice.
I wasn't sure if you would be buying or renting the house. If you would be renting, the house option sounds great -- because if it turns out that the lack of space is a problem when the kids are bigger, you can always move.
If you would be buying the house, I would be much more cautious. I don't know what the market is like where you live, but in many areas prices are still going down and the small size of the house and having only one bathroom may make it difficult to sell.
Wow. I'm more torn now after reading all the comments. They all make excellent points. Good luck!
My one concern was moving while pregnant and the middle of summer. That will be so super sucky. Make sure you take care of you!
As a woman who moved her mother in and then moved in with her mother when Kat was born (we were together for 10 weeks straight), I know how much it can rock to have parents helping. Utilize it if you go it.
Well, I also thought I had a good opinion until I read the other comments and they're all good points!...so, I just don't envy this decision for you at all:-)
I wouldn't want to give up a bedroom and bath (especially after being the oldest of 3 girls and having to share a bathroom growing up). I also wouldn't want to move being pg and summer time...on the other hand, the backyard sounds great and parents close if needed is nice (although 12 miles isn't that bad either). I think the price/cost thing would be a big factor in it all. If you're renting, and it's less than what the condo is, that's great. However, I'd play in to the factor that in a few years, your kids will need/want a space of their own (especially if the armadillo ends up being a girl!), so if another move comes in to play, will you be able to do it?
I'm not much help, am I? Well, good luck just the same!:-)
if we were that close to my family member - move to the house.
if we were that close to my MIL - move to another state!
:)
(the yard sounds good though.)
This is a tough one! More than the bedroom, I wouldn't want to give up a bathroom! :-) But, just from the way your post is written, I think you're already leaning a certain way....
Yard +
Close to Parents +
Newer/Bigger Kitchen +
Also, since you do live in FL, I'm sure you are able to spend more time outside year round than the rest of us. So, what you lose inside, you gain outside with the yard, right?
House!
House FOR SURE. With two kids, having the parents nearby will be amazing. And a yard is only going to get better and better.
How is the noise level at the condo? I know we got a lot of noise through the walls when we lived in our townhouse and I was delighted to get away from it when we moved to the house.
Sorry to be the anti-house one but I say stay in the condo with the pool. A yard has to be taken care of. Is the landlord doing that or do you and E responsible for mowing and edging and yard clean up? Is there grass out there now? If not you may not want the kids out there too often b/c 1 its hot and miserable and 2 they will get so very dirty. We don't spend near as much time in the backyard as I thoguht we would just for those 2 reasons. Plus with #2 on the way I think you will apprecaite having the extra bedroom that the condo affords. I say wait. Just my 2 cents.
Quick thought.. does this house have an HOA? If it does, they may not LET you dry stuff outside. Ours doesn't. :( (unless we get a screened in porch that people can't really see into.. where are those riches when I really need them??)
This is a tough one...
Being close to family for help would be great, and a yard for MT would be nice.
And since you're renting, like Niobe said, if it ends up too small it's not permanent...House!
I'd say condo, and keep your eyes open!
On another note, you use cloth diapers right?
What have you found that works? We used disposable with our first child (He's potty trained now) and would like to explore cloth diapering with the next baby.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
you can e-mail me at: ebrueseke@yahoo.com
If you were buying--i'd say no way jose. B/c i think the space--with two children that small-is going to drive you into moving. But, b/c you are renting--why not test drive downsizing. UNLESS the cost of moving is a lot. As in-if you are hiring movers.
I am laughing at tryingin2007's comments regarding inlaws... cause that is my thought :) Everyone has made excellent points... I would say with weighing the pros and cons for you I would go with the house. Plus moving can be fun :) Will you get to paint and decorate freely in the house? I know that some landlords are strict about that. PS - I live 2 miles from my mom and stepdad right now and it makes it VERY NICE when I need their help.
I love living in a house, don't miss "community" living in the slightest. I say go for it.
Stacey brings up a good point about yard maintanence. Who does it and if it is the landlord... how often? I personally wouldn't want to lose a bathroom and it is just DH and I.
Stay where you are now.. I moved with a 2 week old and it was not fun. If your renting either way best to wait until you can only move 1.
If you do move can you have the option to purchase with credit for rent? If so that might be good - you get more tax breaks w/ buying than renting.
Good luck...
Another vote for house :D
If I were you I would stay until you're ready to make a permanent move. As someone who has moved a few times I can say that it SUCKS. I can't even imagine doing it with children. But if it is what you REALLY want then go for it! Good luck with your decision! :)
I'm going to vote for the house. Especially if you're renting. I'm ALL FOR ownership, BUT unless you're a serious Mr-Fix-It the repair and maintenance costs of a house are rough. Plus, with two kids who has the time to really work on a house? And being so much closer to the help that your parents have to offer would be wonderful!
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