House v Location

honeybear

Steer55 wrote: »

Why are the owners selling?
If house is such good value it will be snapped up pretty quickly by local person. 35 mins drive is not too bad a drive but when kids come along, you will be hauling them in and out of town to all their activities and it gets worse as they get older. However, other people successfully manage it including your sister so good luck if you decide to go ahead with the purchase.

It’s an old house that has been renovated beautifully. I’m really surprised it hasn’t been snapped up but the area has a small population. No kids but there is a wonderful community spirit-my sister is very involved in the GAA and school events. Having attended these and school/church occasions, the area has lots going for it, community wise. It’s an hour from 2 smaller cities (just did an AA route check)

zapitastas

BBFAN wrote: »

Another thing to bear in mind is when you're older. I've often thought about buying in a rural location but now I'm getting that bit older I can see how being within walking distance of a village at least with a bus stop will be an advantage when I get to the age where I can no longer drive.

As long as you can still adequately walk when you are older. Although you could get one of those motorised buggy things I suppose

riclad

I,d go for the cheaper house, you ,ll save a lot on mortgage payments ,
you,ll maybe be able to pay off your loan without being under a lot of pressure if interest rates go up.
I expect interest rates to go up in the next 5 years .
35 minutes is not a lot in terms of travel time.
They drawback i see is house,s in citys tend to rise in value over 10 years , vs rural area,s .
Theres no room to build new estates in the city ,so of course builders
build in certain area,s .If a a builder buys a site in the city they build office,s or apartments .

BBFAN

zapitastas wrote: »

As long as you can still adequately walk when you are older. Although you could get one of those motorised buggy things I suppose

True yes, but where I live at present is literally 2 minutes from a local shop, post office and bus stop so I'm hoping I could manage that or if I couldn't then I'd have a wheelchair.

honeybear

zapitastas wrote: »

As long as you can still adequately walk when you are older. Although you could get one of those motorised buggy things I suppose

I’m lol, but I shouldn’t-it is a concern

BBFAN

honeybear wrote: »

I’m lol, but I shouldn’t-it is a concern

The reason I think about it is my father can no longer drive, he's in a lucky position in that he lives close to everything he needs and also because there are family around to drive him but I live away from my family and love my independence so would hate to be depending on people for a lift anywhere.

honeybear

BBFAN wrote: »

The reason I think about it is my father can no longer drive, he's in a lucky position in that he lives close to everything he needs and also because there are family around to drive him but I live away from my family and love my independence so would hate to be depending on people for a lift anywhere.

My Dad turned 80 last year and is slowing down a bit from riding bikes and climbing farm gates a year ago. I’m factoring in Tesco home deliveries into my possible house purchase.

BBFAN

honeybear wrote: »

My Dad turned 80 last year and is slowing down a bit from riding bikes and climbing farm gates a year ago. I’m factoring in Tesco home deliveries into my possible house purchase.

Oh I'm not doubting that some people live long and healthy lives and get around quite well, I'm just not that healthy. :D

I can't ride a bike now at nearly 50 never mind in 30 years. :D

honeybear

BBFAN wrote: »

Oh I'm not doubting that some people live long and healthy lives and get around quite well, I'm just not that healthy. :D

I can't ride a bike now at nearly 50 never mind in 30 years. :D

Not as healthy as my Dad. Mobility is a factor. Going to drive the route from work to possible house tomorrow and see how bad route is

meeeeh

honeybear wrote: »

Steer55 wrote: »

Why are the owners selling?
If house is such good value it will be snapped up pretty quickly by local person. 35 mins drive is not too bad a drive but when kids come along, you will be hauling them in and out of town to all their activities and it gets worse as they get older. However, other people successfully manage it including your sister so good luck if you decide to go ahead with the purchase.

It’s an old house that has been renovated beautifully. I’m really surprised it hasn’t been snapped up but the area has a small population. No kids but there is a wonderful community spirit-my sister is very involved in the GAA and school events. Having attended these and school/church occasions, the area has lots going for it, community wise. It’s an hour from 2 smaller cities (just did an AA route check)

I don't want to pry into your personal situation but the fact you are an hour from two smaller cities is not ideal. Do you have a partner and what is their employment? What are the options if you or someone close to you needs to change a job. If you are single would you really tie yourself to a property that is in an area with less interest and harder to sell. It's different when you are buying forever home and settling down with someone.

zapitastas

honeybear wrote: »

I’m lol, but I shouldn’t-it is a concern

Hopefully self driving cars will see us right in the future ... or at the very least a self driving mobility scooter

Ursus Horribilis

honeybear wrote: »

Not as healthy as my Dad. Mobility is a factor. Going to drive the route from work to possible house tomorrow and see how bad route is

Now that's a good idea.



I'm from the countryside and if my circumstances changed I'd move back in a flash. It sounds like your heart is swaying you towards this house.

The best location is whatever suits you best.
I lived in south county Dublin, a fairly desired area. However, I sold because the area just didn't suit me. It was a lovely house in a lovely area but I sold up.
I now live much closer to the city centre, much closer to the roads to the country I take most often, much closer to the airport, right beside the Phoenix park & close to shops, pubs etc.
The location is perfect for me & I will stay here.
I could buy a house for cash in the country but that location wouldn't suit me.
So, you decide the perfect location for you........ If you find a house in a location you like, Happy days!!

PauloMN

Each to their own, go with where you feel you'd want to live and that means weighing up everything from location, to commute, to the house itself taking your own situation into account (age, health, kids/no kids etc.). I think the location v house thing is too simplistic. I moved out of Dublin (from a west Dublin suburb to Meath) and the immediate assumption was everything will be so far away. In a community, everything is on your doorstep, much more than it ever was for me in a sprawling suburb. That's just an example of how it's a lot more complex than just house v location.

Ursus Horribilis

I agree with this ^^. I think you should see what that commute to work is like because that's something that'll become a big part of your life. But other than that, I'm not seeing too many disadvantages. You've already got an "in" to the local community in the form of your sister. You like the countryside and I think you get what it's like to live there.

BBFAN

PauloMN wrote: »

Each to their own, go with where you feel you'd want to live and that means weighing up everything from location, to commute, to the house itself taking your own situation into account (age, health, kids/no kids etc.). I think the location v house thing is too simplistic. I moved out of Dublin (from a west Dublin suburb to Meath) and the immediate assumption was everything will be so far away. In a community, everything is on your doorstep, much more than it ever was for me in a sprawling suburb. That's just an example of how it's a lot more complex than just house v location.

Tbf, Meath is not exactly a rural location.

Ursus Horribilis

Lots of other places aren't either. Is being in the hinterland of a county town considered rural?

Cyrus

Cyrus wrote: »

If there’s no footpath main road or not it’s not somewhere you will want to walk with a buggy or walk kids along

Yes it is, dead end road with our land all round only an odd neighbor passes over in tractor. In fact people from the wider area come to the road for walks with dogs and kids etc.

Leaving that aside it’s a regular sight in my area to see a person walking a buggy on the main county road with not even a hard shoulder. We are made from harder stuff in the country

BBFAN wrote: »

Another thing to bear in mind is when you're older. I've often thought about buying in a rural location but now I'm getting that bit older I can see how being within walking distance of a village at least with a bus stop will be an advantage when I get to the age where I can no longer drive.

If you can walk to a bus you can drive, in fact plenty of people who can barely walk have no problem driving. Driving into your 80’s is a regular occurance in my family and amoung neighbors.

NSAman

house in the middle of ‘no where” in Ireland means 20 minute drive to “somewhere”.

Ireland is NOT that big.

I live 2 hours from the nearest city in the States and absolutely LOVE it.

Nearest neighbour is 500 meters away but yet I live in a very nice community.

Yes there is a pied a terre in the city, but in all honesty i have not been there in three years. Actually, I don’t know why I have it.

It all depends on what you “make” your home. I personally, have no issues travelling anywhere. Some people value location and ease of access to certain things over others, that is a personal choice. I just like the “lifestyle” aspect of where I live.

Cyrus

Rylie Creamy Beetle wrote: »

Yes it is, dead end road with our land all round only an odd neighbor passes over in tractor. In fact people from the wider area come to the road for walks with dogs and kids etc.

Leaving that aside it’s a regular sight in my area to see a person walking a buggy on the main county road with not even a hard shoulder. We are made from harder stuff in the country

That’s slightly different then more a house at the end of a lane ?

And I’m from the country too chief

Cyrus

Cyrus wrote: »

That’s slightly different then more a house at the end of a lane ?

And I’m from the country too chief

It’s a bit more than a lane but it would be at the end, though the road does continue on over to land which neighboring farmers would pass into a few times a day. If you walk out the road you would pass houses so you would have cars coming and going but again it’s a car every now and then no traffic as such.

As I said though, the main road that you enter after leaving our road would be a fairly busy and fairly narrow country road and there is a constant stream of people waking with buggy’s and walking pets with not even a place to stand in off the road never mind a footpath so I would not be saying no paths stop people walking.

Mad_maxx

BBFAN wrote: »

Tbf, Meath is not exactly a rural location.

North meath is as rural as anywhere

Mad_maxx

beaz2018 wrote: »

a friend of mine has recently built a massive house in rural Cork. Huge house with every mod con imaginable, but as far as I can see its in the middle of nowhere - she cant walk on the road with a buggy, the nearest shop would be a few miles at least and there is certainly nothing resembling public transport. I left the house wondering if its worth it to have the incredible house at the expense of location - I think in the long run when it isnt but maybe im just jealous :-)

I'd never build a big house in a rural location, even today they usually at least 100k cheaper than they cost to build

Add to that, you need someone with money if you ever hope to sell on and rich people are scarce in those parts

Mad_maxx

Mad_maxx wrote: »

I'd never build a big house in a rural location, even today they usually at least 100k cheaper than they cost to build

Add to that, you need someone with money if you ever hope to sell on and rich people are scarce in those parts

When you build you design the house you want though not have to live in someone else’s design or one just designed by a builder.

Also in my area anyway rural houses are expensive and not much different to the cost of building your own but you will have a superior house when when you can design it as you want. I don’t think any house on sale has all the things I’d want in a house and layed out how I’d want it.

Most people who buy or build rurally won’t ever want to sell it or simply can’t as it’s often built on family land (though know this from the beginning though)..

meeeeh

Mad_maxx wrote: »

I'd never build a big house in a rural location, even today they usually at least 100k cheaper than they cost to build

Add to that, you need someone with money if you ever hope to sell on and rich people are scarce in those parts

In fairness it depends if you are building a forever home or want to move on later in life. In first case the ability to pay the mortgage and maintain the house is way more important than how easy and how much you can sell it for. I'm not mad about building huge house because you just end up with a number of rooms you don't really use but even without that it's doubtful sale price would reflect fancy bathroom tiles, underfloor heating or any other luxuries you might want to put into your own house.

Mad_maxx

meeeeh wrote: »

In fairness it depends if you are building a forever home or want to move on later in life. In first case the ability to pay the mortgage and maintain the house is way more important than how easy and how much you can sell it for. I'm not mad about building huge house because you just end up with a number of rooms you don't really use but even without that it's doubtful sale price would reflect fancy bathroom tiles, underfloor heating or any other luxuries you might want to put into your own house.

We currently live in a 2000 sqr foot plus five bedroom bungalow but will move to a three bed semi ( or terraced) within five years, I love rural locations for visiting and driving through but hate rural living

catrionanic

I think it depends on the stage of life you are at. We bought our first house in our 20s in Ranelagh. It was a super small house but it was great because my other half could walk to work (I wasn't working in city centre myself), we were surrounded by great bars and restaurants, and we could stroll home from Coppers at 5am. We were out socialising a lot so the location was great.

A few years later, we had kids there and it was driving us mad. When you have kids, you need space and you need a garden. I was crawling the walls there. So we moved somewhere bigger but further out of town. Commute still isn't bad - it would be just under an hour door to door - and we are in a large village/small town with loads of amenties. So not quite the same predicament as yourself. But a longer commute with more space really is worth the trade-off when a family comes along.

Graces7

Autumn Loud Chin wrote: »

I was with friends this week in the middle of nowhere. After chatting for a while I realised it was in the middle of everywhere.

same here out here on the island. few understand that..

Snotty

There a real delusion that jobs only exist in city's. My wife and I moved back from London, live in the middle of nowhere West ireland, wife works 5 minutes one way and me 10 minutes the other. Jobs do exist outside of Dublin/Cirk/Galway etc and good jobs too, I'm in IT and the wife is in retail.
I wouldn't give up rural living now, but it has to suit you and it doesn't suit everyone.

Ursus Horribilis

The way some people go on about rural living, you'd swear that it entails living 30 miles from civilization and that people are lucky to have running water and electricity at all.