Question about moving
03-29-2011, 06:33 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 4,532
Hello everyone,
Well I have a huge decision I need to make at some point. When we bought our home we had fabulous neighbors and the neighborhood was pretty good. Within 4 years the neighbors moved out and new ones moved in whom shall we say are not the best on either side :-(
Hubby and I want a home with more property that will give us space and more privacy so we are looking north. There are a few issues with this-we put a lot of money in to our home-new roof, new deck, new sliding glass doors, new furnace, completely renovated basement, renovated every room in the house, new electric service...I do not want to have to do all of that over (plus we could not afford to). Another issue is that I already commute an hour one way to work....not sure how much further I want to commute before it becomes draining. I love what I do so leaving my career is not really an option.
I also fear some day with my illness I won't be able to work so having a home that is in an area where taxes are less than we pay now could be beneficial.
The last issue I have is my daughter was born here and her favorite dog is buried here....do I want to leave those memories behind?
Have you found moving to a "better" space good for you? I'm a bit torn...any help/advice/guidance or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Hugs
April
Well I have a huge decision I need to make at some point. When we bought our home we had fabulous neighbors and the neighborhood was pretty good. Within 4 years the neighbors moved out and new ones moved in whom shall we say are not the best on either side :-(
Hubby and I want a home with more property that will give us space and more privacy so we are looking north. There are a few issues with this-we put a lot of money in to our home-new roof, new deck, new sliding glass doors, new furnace, completely renovated basement, renovated every room in the house, new electric service...I do not want to have to do all of that over (plus we could not afford to). Another issue is that I already commute an hour one way to work....not sure how much further I want to commute before it becomes draining. I love what I do so leaving my career is not really an option.
I also fear some day with my illness I won't be able to work so having a home that is in an area where taxes are less than we pay now could be beneficial.
The last issue I have is my daughter was born here and her favorite dog is buried here....do I want to leave those memories behind?
Have you found moving to a "better" space good for you? I'm a bit torn...any help/advice/guidance or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Hugs
April
03-29-2011, 06:36 AM
#2
Power Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: western NY formerly MN, FL, NC, SC
Posts: 51,433
sounds like you really love your home. if it's just the neighbors that are the issue, i wouldn't move. you don't have to interact with them. do you have fences between you? but trying to understand and make polite friends with the neighbors is the best answer. good luck.
03-29-2011, 06:40 AM
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 8,816
Life is always full of changes and IMHO needs to be embraced and met with positive feelings, hope and excitement for this new phase of life. We usually have to make decisions based on the facts we have today and reading what you wrote this seems like a good thing for you to do. I have a friend who commutes 90 minutes one way every day because he wants to raise his children in the country, but works in the city (smile). He listens to books and/or uses the commuting time to relax and really be at home when he is home.
From what you wrote, I think you believe this will be a positive. Go for it and keep us posted. We are behind you all the way.
From what you wrote, I think you believe this will be a positive. Go for it and keep us posted. We are behind you all the way.
03-29-2011, 06:41 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nottingham, NH
Posts: 516
If you move, you may find other issues that are bothersome, such as neighbors, unsupervised animals, etc. It sounds to me like you really want to stay where you are, and would like some of us to support you, which I do. I think you should stay put, based on the love of home I hear in your message.
03-29-2011, 06:48 AM
#6
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Cypress, Texas
Posts: 4,728
Go with your gut feeling...after much prayer. We moved 2 yrs ago from the home we lived in for 32 years. Took me 3 years to make the decision; kiddos were babies when we moved there, loved my neighbors (they all moved starting about 5 yrs before us), we had a neighbor issue and no matter how much remodeling we did, I could not make "that" 2-story have 12 ft ceilings. Moving was the very best thing for us to do. Love my new home, neighbors, neighborhood and knowing we are in a new house...no major repairs for many years!
03-29-2011, 07:25 AM
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Adding to the commute would be a huge issue for me. It takes time away from children and family. If you could move closer to work instead of farther away, the idea of the move would be much more appealing to me.
Agree also that things can go wrong in a new place. Since you have already put so much work and money into this one, I wonder if there are ways of adding landscaping/trees/fencing to improve privacy.
Another consideration is closeness to medical facilities, favorite doctors, etc. We drive a considerable distance now to see our family doctor, specialists, etc. because we don't want to change.
My husband couldn't stand the neighbors at our old house, and I have to admit they were pretty bad. However, now that we are out in the country living in his "dream" house, he is realizing that there are worse things than bad neighbors. For example, his normal commute of 45 minutes is sometimes 2.5 hours during the winter. There are other issues as well.
Agree also that things can go wrong in a new place. Since you have already put so much work and money into this one, I wonder if there are ways of adding landscaping/trees/fencing to improve privacy.
Another consideration is closeness to medical facilities, favorite doctors, etc. We drive a considerable distance now to see our family doctor, specialists, etc. because we don't want to change.
My husband couldn't stand the neighbors at our old house, and I have to admit they were pretty bad. However, now that we are out in the country living in his "dream" house, he is realizing that there are worse things than bad neighbors. For example, his normal commute of 45 minutes is sometimes 2.5 hours during the winter. There are other issues as well.
03-29-2011, 07:32 AM
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: East Coast
Posts: 2,221
I take it moving closer to work is not an option?
I would say, explore the idea of moving before making a firm decision. Have your house appraised (if that's the right word), ask a real estate agent what the chances would be of selling it for a price that reflects the improvements you put in, look around for new housing and see if there's a bargain-priced house closer to work. Doing this without firmly deciding gives you the chance to look without feeling like you MUST make it succeed. Once you know the possibilities, you can decide better.
Living with crappy neighbors is the worse. Sure you can ignore them or stay out of their way, but do you want to put up with their noise, smoking, partying, visitors at all hours or whatever it is that bothers you? You want more than a house, you want a neighborhood where you're a happy part of the community.
The dog is gone. It may be buried there, but visiting a grave is not the same as having a dog. Let that not be a deciding factor.
I would say, explore the idea of moving before making a firm decision. Have your house appraised (if that's the right word), ask a real estate agent what the chances would be of selling it for a price that reflects the improvements you put in, look around for new housing and see if there's a bargain-priced house closer to work. Doing this without firmly deciding gives you the chance to look without feeling like you MUST make it succeed. Once you know the possibilities, you can decide better.
Living with crappy neighbors is the worse. Sure you can ignore them or stay out of their way, but do you want to put up with their noise, smoking, partying, visitors at all hours or whatever it is that bothers you? You want more than a house, you want a neighborhood where you're a happy part of the community.
The dog is gone. It may be buried there, but visiting a grave is not the same as having a dog. Let that not be a deciding factor.
03-29-2011, 07:38 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dayton, OH
Posts: 661
Hi April, what a decision!
IMHO, I would seriously think about staying in your home. It seems like you've put a lot of money and work into your home. With the economy right now you will probably not be able to recoup the investment that you made.
As you said the neighbors have changed. With that said, the neighbors may soon change again. As for the neighbors try to be friendly but you don't need to be buddy buddy with them.
I would not want to add to my drive to work. Having more property (space) can mean more work. That work takes time away from the things you love to do and the people you want to be with. As for the privacy, you could invest in a fence, or just stay to yourselves. I wouldn't want a fence as it blocks the view of what is going on in the neighborhood. You have many memories in your home, you've made it how you like it and love it so I would stay put.
If you feel the need, then just get away for the weekends on little trips. Sometimes that's all that's needed to realize that you love your home and love coming home to it.
Good luck with your decision.
Pam M
IMHO, I would seriously think about staying in your home. It seems like you've put a lot of money and work into your home. With the economy right now you will probably not be able to recoup the investment that you made.
As you said the neighbors have changed. With that said, the neighbors may soon change again. As for the neighbors try to be friendly but you don't need to be buddy buddy with them.
I would not want to add to my drive to work. Having more property (space) can mean more work. That work takes time away from the things you love to do and the people you want to be with. As for the privacy, you could invest in a fence, or just stay to yourselves. I wouldn't want a fence as it blocks the view of what is going on in the neighborhood. You have many memories in your home, you've made it how you like it and love it so I would stay put.
If you feel the need, then just get away for the weekends on little trips. Sometimes that's all that's needed to realize that you love your home and love coming home to it.
Good luck with your decision.
Pam M
03-29-2011, 07:40 AM
#10
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: New York
Posts: 4,532
You all bring up very valid points and I so appreciate the input...more than you know. We have contemplated it for some time but sadly with the economy the way it is there is no way we will make back what we put in to the home. We could get more than we owe but wouldn't walk away with a huge amount to do anything in a new home.
To move closer to where I work is definitely not an option. The taxes go WAY up the closer I go to my job. My job is located about 40 minutes north of Manhattan. The taxes in this area range from about $14,000 to about $40,000 per year :shock:
Our neighbors really are not people you want to be next too...the value of our home I am sure will go down considerably the longer we stay here because they do base it on the homes around your home for appeal. They do no home maintenance or upkeep, no flowers....I won't go on and on but truly not people I want to live next to forever. Thye can be friendly enough but....
As far as doctors go my husband and I already travel an hour and a half to see them so the area we are looking in would actually be closer to them.
I am also contemplating the old buy land and build.....not sure I want to take on two mortgages though due to my illness.
It really is a tough decision and I really do appreciate all of your thoughtfulness and guidance! Thank you!
Hugs
April
To move closer to where I work is definitely not an option. The taxes go WAY up the closer I go to my job. My job is located about 40 minutes north of Manhattan. The taxes in this area range from about $14,000 to about $40,000 per year :shock:
Our neighbors really are not people you want to be next too...the value of our home I am sure will go down considerably the longer we stay here because they do base it on the homes around your home for appeal. They do no home maintenance or upkeep, no flowers....I won't go on and on but truly not people I want to live next to forever. Thye can be friendly enough but....
As far as doctors go my husband and I already travel an hour and a half to see them so the area we are looking in would actually be closer to them.
I am also contemplating the old buy land and build.....not sure I want to take on two mortgages though due to my illness.
It really is a tough decision and I really do appreciate all of your thoughtfulness and guidance! Thank you!
Hugs
April
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