Discerning a move

[Teakafrog]

OK, I think I need to vent more than anything, but would love some (name removed by moderator)ut too! Here’s the deal: we have been throwing around the idea of moving into town for a while. It would make a lot of sense, because we spend SO much money each month on gas just driving the bambino back and forth to school (so he can go to our parish school–the local public school is a mess), and I work there too, so more gas, and no commute time before and after school and work. Also, our house here isn’t exactly where we want to live forever–it’s cramped and needs a lot of work–I’m definitely not attached to this house!

So yesterday DH tells me he found the perfect house–in town, HUGE, and cheap! It’s old, and will need work too, but anything we can afford would need work. It is definitely livable. And BIG, which is what we both want.

So what’s the problem? I’m very ambivalent about the whole thing. I keep thinking about how hard it will be to sell this house, and how much work it still needs to be able to sell it (drywall work, painting, flooring). Then having to start all over and work on the ‘new’ house. Also, my best friend lives here, and she is our babysitter! I don’t want to send the kids to daycare, I want her to keep watching them.

Honestly, the money we’ll save in gas will make the mortgage payment on the new house. So even if this one sits for awhile, it’ll be ok. But it still stresses me out! So any thoughts?

 

[monicatholic]

teakafrog,

our house is 130 years old. we are twelve years into the five year plan of updates and repairs. after a while, all the undone ‘work’ i mostly get used to. sure it’s been improved, some things couldn’t wait-- like upstairs windows for safe escape.

imperfect as it is, i love it.

i think these days it’s important to conserve energy-- not just for economic reasons, but for overall good stewartship reasons. but your kids’ needs trump that-- and you are happy with your child care.

here’s what i’m thinking-- check out in- town child care options. see prices, places, vibes and references. and call in a realtor. get the quick fix-list from the realtor, and a market analyses.

that’s some good footwork to get you started. of course, pray.

if things seem agreeable, move forward.

we marketed homes more than once. when we fixed and it sold, we were thrilled. when we fixed up and it didn’t sell, we were still pretty glad with the updates and improvements and repairs.

it sounds like you’re in a good place that you could go a little while with a bridge mortgage or something like that so you don’t have to make a panic rock-bottom sale of your current house.

the other thing i’m thinking: don’t know your commute time now, but less road time means more time with your kids and less child care time. sounds like a winner.