by Groucho » Sat Aug 07, 2021 3:24 pm
I agree with the posters who said that 4 bedroom to 2 is a bit of a jump at this stage of your lives. The book A Squash & A Squeeze comes to mind! Also, would your 2nd child be OK moving school and town (and friends) mid-way through secondary? And a final point - the way the market is in Ireland, I don't think any of us can guarantee that our kids will move out/away and stay away - if one or other (or both) needed to live with you during college, or needed to move back in down the line, possibly for a long period (even with a partner in tow), would a 2 bedroom be sufficient in that scenario? I know we can't live our whole lives for what our kids might or might not do, but it is a consideration all the same.
You have no doubt considered all of these points but I'd be wondering if you could achieve what you are after without such upheaval. Similar to what Sally has suggested, or could you address the garden maintenance by e.g. sectioning 3/4 of it off and selling it as a site, so you get some cash in and only have a small garden to look after? Or buy/rent a slightly smaller house in your nearest town so you're not moving everyone from the area they know?
I hear you on the maintenance of a big site. It is a giant pain in the hole. I am that soldier. But I don't feel I personally would be in a position to downsize that much until later in my life eg when my kids are settled. In the meantime, I am also looking at ways to reduce the overall maintenance workload here (my pea gravel driveway will be first in my firing line anyway).
I agree with the posters who said that 4 bedroom to 2 is a bit of a jump at this stage of your lives. The book A Squash & A Squeeze comes to mind! Also, would your 2nd child be OK moving school and town (and friends) mid-way through secondary? And a final point - the way the market is in Ireland, I don't think any of us can guarantee that our kids will move out/away and stay away - if one or other (or both) needed to live with you during college, or needed to move back in down the line, possibly for a long period (even with a partner in tow), would a 2 bedroom be sufficient in that scenario? I know we can't live our whole lives for what our kids might or might not do, but it is a consideration all the same.
You have no doubt considered all of these points but I'd be wondering if you could achieve what you are after without such upheaval. Similar to what Sally has suggested, or could you address the garden maintenance by e.g. sectioning 3/4 of it off and selling it as a site, so you get some cash in and only have a small garden to look after? Or buy/rent a slightly smaller house in your nearest town so you're not moving everyone from the area they know?
I hear you on the maintenance of a big site. It is a giant pain in the hole. I am that soldier. But I don't feel I personally would be in a position to downsize that much until later in my life eg when my kids are settled. In the meantime, I am also looking at ways to reduce the overall maintenance workload here (my pea gravel driveway will be first in my firing line anyway).