Location or house type? Need help please!!

[Desnik]

I would like some opinions please.

We currently have our townhouse on the market. Long story short, we sold our home quicker than expected, couldn't find what we wanted, stumbled upon this place and bought it because it was in the location we wanted. We love this village and the schools are excellent. This was a forclosure so it needed a ton of work, but most, if not all of it is done and we stand to make a large profit in a short period of time.

While driving through the next town over from us, DH and I saw a for sale sign in front of a house we had looked at 3 years ago. It was the type of house we liked but we didn't buy it because it just needed too much work. Well, our curiosity got the best of us and we had the realtor show us the house. They did a ton of work. It is beautiful. We jumped into it and made an offer, they accepted and now our attorney is holding the contracts waiting for us to sign. BTW, the expection came out better than we could have imagined, especially for a house built in 1876.

We are second guessing our desision because it is not in the town we would prefer to be. Granted it is a very nice town and the schools are very good, but it's not "Warwick". If you lived here it might be better to understand. The reality is, what I could afford here would be nothing like the house in the other town. I could afford a colonial there, here it would have to be a small ranch.

Now finally to my question
What's more important to you? The town/location where you live, or the type of house that you love in your "2nd choice" location? I am so confused DH is just as confused as I am. Another factor is DD will be starting Kindergarten and if we move to a different town she would be switching schools in lets say Nov/Dec. I don't think I want to do that to her. I did ask the school and they did say she could finish out the year but I would have to take her and pick her up. That might not be too bad, but I do have an infant and it would be about a half hour drive. Let's put it this way, the mornings would be pretty hectic

Please any advice/opinions? We have to make our desision by Tues.!!!

 

[jel0511]

I've never been in your situation about buying a house, but I'd MUCH prefer to be in a house I LOVED in a good school district than be in a house I LIKED in a GREAT school district. A small house will get VERY small fast, and the larger home will defintely be better in the long run. Also, since you have signed contracts on the house, why not call the new school district and ask them about starting her there. I live in a new development, and I know our school here allowed people to start their kids in the beginning of the year with their signed contracts so they wouldn't have to switch schools in the middle of the year. That way, you won't have to worry about switching schools at all, and the friends she'll make will be her friends for First Grade as well. By the way, I understand what you mean about not being in the "town". We have the same thing where I live, and I don't live in the "town", I live next door. Yes, the schools are better, and I'd prefer to live there, but I don't want a 3 bedroom fixer-upper just for better schools. The schools where I live aren't bad, but they aren't the best either. I figure they'll be fine, and if I think they really need it, Private schools is always an option to me.

 

[FreshTressa]

How is the commute time?? To me, time not spent on the road is a premium.

Well, we used to live in our dream house, a brand new house in a brand new neighborhood, we got to pick all the colors etc. But it was only in an OK neighborhood.

So, after being there about 2 years, we sold it and moved to the "great" neighborhood and now live in a smaller, older house (but it has lots of charm). We moved here for schools, shorter commute, etc.

I sometimes really regret our decision. I really miss the old neighborhood. I had great friends there, and the people here are kind of snobby. And my house just isn't as nice.

So, going back, I would have picked the nicer house in the not so great neighborhood.

 

[dcgrumpy]

for me it would be the house that I want, as long as it's still a good neighborhood and school district. For DH on the other hand it is the town. He wants to buy a house in the town he grew up in, even though we'd only be able to afford a little ranch.

 

[Desnik]

The commute time isn't that much of a difference to be a deciding factor. Where we are now is about a 15min. drive to the highway. The other house is about 3min. from the highway. Either way, DH is still driving 1.5-2hr. commute to the city

We didn't sign the contracts yet so I can't have her start in the other school. Besides school starts in 3 days.

The house is in a very nice area and the schools are also very good. It is just that Warwick schools are considered 1 of the top 3 schools in this whole county. It is very "hip, or prestigious" or whatever you call it to live in Warwick. Whenever I tell people where I live they say oohh you live there!! I know it's silly, but I like that!! Also I keep hearing the voice of the realtor "location, location, location"!!!

 

[pokiemomo181]

I would say the house is where you live not the town. You may never get a chance to get a house like this one again. I say take it.


Pokie

 

[onecoolmama]

We are in the same position! We live in the suburbs of DC and the houses have gone up 100,000 in the past 2 years. So now, we can move to a town that is really far for my DH to commute (almost 2 hours 1 way on the train) or we can completely leave the area and go to a cheaper metropolitain area ..ie Atlanta, Philadelphia.

Right now, we are staying put until my DH finishes school, but then we have big decisions to make about this. i am interested to hear what others think too. I agree that I think I would rather be in a house that I love in a good school district then a house that is ok with a great school district.

It is just as hard for us becuase I come from a huge family and most have managed to stay here..so we are very , very close and it would be really hard to leave the conviences ie..I always have a free sitter, someone to call when I need anything, and my kids will always have soemone to go to in an emergency situation!

Tough choices..good thread!

 

[kaseyC]

we were in sort of the same situation. When we moved to VA (DC burbs) from NC we found a great neighborhood and schools. Because sticker shock and a limited time frame we bought a new house in the great neighborhood that was not really what we wanted (tiny yard, only a one car garage) but adequate for our needs. I hated every minute of it. Last year when we were being relocated to the Chicago area, I chose the house I really wanted in an area that is a bit of a longer commute for my DH to Deerfield. As a former teacher who taught in inner city and rural districts, I do not worry too much about schools because as parent if you stay involved in their education and let the administration and teachers know you are involved your children can recieve a great education from almost any type of system.
These days towns, villages and communities all run into each other, the town you live in is not as important as your. I love my new home and I get a little thrill everytime I drive up to it.

BTW/ onecoolmama, we sold our house in N. VA for about $100,000 more than we paid for it. We were in it less than 2 yrs. The housing market in that area is crazy.

 

[GladysK]

Can I butt in here and exclaim....TWO HOUR Commutes????

WE live 2 miles from where we work, and love going home for lunch each day. I just can't imagine 4 hours of your day commuting.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I would vote for going for the house more than the town. The town and neighborhood are what you make of them and even the schools will offer you what your children need.

We bought a house in a town that takes 20-30 minutes to get to the highway and an additional 30 minutes on a good day to get to work. My average commute is 1 hour and 45 minutes due to traffic! But . . . I live in a beautiful ocean community within walking distance to private beaches. The school district was good but we ended up sending DS to a private high school which is further away and the commute is almost as long as mine!

The point is . . . if you love the house you should go for it.

Annmarie

 

[clutter]

FWIW, years ago my sister, the kindergarten teacher, and her husband, an elementary pricipal, specifically chose to move mid-year, because they think it's easier to be a "new kid" mid year than at the beginning or end of the year.

Good luck choosing. I'm lucky, I love my house (even at these inflated NoVa prices) and my neighborhood!

 

[sharbear]

sorry, but I'm the desenting opinion. I live in a small house in a great school district. For us, the school system is everything. My kids education is the most important thing to us. I'd rather live in the smallest house in the best school district. I think it makes all the difference.

 

[joeokw]

three words in real estate LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

 

[Desnik]

Hey joeokw, I would really like to know your opinion since you live so close. We lived in Rockland before we came here. DH grew up in W.Nyack, and I moved uo from the Bronx to Stony Point with my parents 12 yrs. ago. DH and I lived in Nanuet and then moved here to Orange county. As you can see I live in Warwick and the house I am talking about is in Goshen. Assuming you are familiar with these places, they aren't that much different. It can be compared to Rockland this way, New City vs. Suffern. Everybody wants to be in New City, the schools are excellent it's "the" place to be in Rockland. Then there's Suffern which has good schools, and is a very nice town, but not "New City".

Schools are very important to us and in no way would I even consider a place with a mediocer school. Goshen schools have a good reputation and I have read the school reports on both districts and they really don't differ much on paper. Goshen is a smaller district.

Gladysk DH really doesn't mind the commute. He says it's worth it because of what he comes home to. His salary makes that commute worth every minute!!LOL I get to stay home and raise our kids because of it. It would really only be an hour and 15min. but with traffic, you know how that goes

kaseyC I know what you mean, these prices and the profit you can make on realestate is crazy. We were in our house for 1yr.6mo. we made a $85,000 profit!! On this townhouse, in just 5-6mo we will make a $65,000 profit!!! Just crazy. Now the rates have gone up, and they say the market isn't going to stay this way very much longer.

Thanks to all for your opinions. This is such a big decision for us because we plan to stay where ever we go for a long, long time. We have moved 3 times in the past 5 years!! My DD needs some stability

I'll post tommorow with an update on what we decide. So far we are leaning towards getting the house.

 

[mom2boys]

Can't help with the house but can tell you our experience with changing schools mid-year. Our boys were in Catholic school (since kindergarten). Last winter it became apparent that it was time for them to go to public school. We have wonderful schools here. The transfered to public school for the 4th quarter of the school year. They were in 2nd & 3rd grade. My friend with children the same age made the same decision but had her children finish out the year at the Catholic school. School started here last week. Other than the requisit "we don't want school to start", I have heard no complaints. They each knew at least one kid in their new classes and at this age, that is all you need. My firend's children know no one and are asking to go back to the Catholic school. We felt that by moving the kids mid year, the school made more of an effort to aclimate our kids. The teachers and the other students all knew my boys were new. There were several children anxious to befriend the "new kid" in the class. When kids transfer at the beginning of the year, teachers and other students may not realize that your child is new. Teachers are dealing with all new faces. Kids are looking around to see which of their old friends are in their class.

 

[tiggerlover]

Hi Nikki! All I can say is wow! As you know I grew up in Warwick and went to and graduated from Warwick schools, so I am very partial to Warwick....I LOVE WARWICK!!! If I could afford it I would live there when we retire in a heartbeat, but unfortuneately the home prices in Warwick are astronomical ($300,000++++), as I am sure you are well aware of. With that said, my second choice would be Goshen, DH grew up in Goshen and he and his three sisters went all the way from K-12 in Goshen schools and now DH's both sister's children are in Goshen schools and my mother-in-law works at the Scotchtown Avenue school. Even though DH and I have a friendly rivalry because of the famous Goshen-Warwick football games, I wouldn't hesitate buying a house in Goshen and sending my son to school in that district, especially if the house is what I wanted. I will always love Warwick, but unless I win the lottery or DH gets a fabulous job when we retire from the military we won't be living there.

As for switching schools mid-year, I wouldn't worry about it at all. We chose to move Tyler in mid-year during his kindergarten year and we aren't sorry we did, the transition went smoothly. And because you live near-by you have the opportunity of to bring DD to the new school and classroom to visit before the actual transition takes place. And if you do end up moving to Goshen you may end up in my MIL's class, she has been a kindergarten aid for about 25 years at the school and she is pretty wonderful.

As for the commute, I understand what you and your DH go through. My dad commuted to the city from Warwick for many, many years, it is well worth it.

Good luck with the decision, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me, you know I would be happy to help any way I can.

By the way, is the new house in the village or the town of Goshen? Good deals in Goshen don't come along that often, if it were me, I would hop on it in a heartbeat!

 

[Desnik]

tiggerlover I was wondering where you were and if you would see this and give me your take on it. Thanks so much, I really appreciate it.
The house is right in the village of Goshen, near "lawyers row", you know where all the law offices are in the village. It is a great house. It is alittle over $300,000, but I feel well worth it for what your getting and the way prices have been around here. This house in Warwick would be $400,000, easily. We really looked around in Warwick to make sure we were getting a good deal in Goshen and we were seeing comparable type houses(1900's colonial)that were $329,000 and only 1300-1400sq.ft. and needing alot of work! It really has everything we want. They even put central air, but took nothing away from the original details. All original doors and hardware, 9ft. ceilings, crown mouldings, wood floors, and 2 rooms with plank wood floors. 2 fireplaces, 4 bedrooms, over 2000 sq. ft. Could ya tell I really do love this house!

Wow that would be so cool if DD gets your MIL, or to even meet her!! I'll let you know what happens and if we go. Thanks for all the advice
P.S. It's nice to hear someone speak so nicely of their MIL!! I have a really good relationship with mine as well and people can't believe it. We even took her to Disney with us once!!!

 

[tiggerlover]

I've been away, we just got back from Germany last night. I responded to another thread that you inspired so I got to wondering what your thread was about and did a search to find it. Good luck and be sure to let us all know how it works out. It sounds like you really love the house in Goshen, it would be a real shame to let it slip through your fingers.

 

[tiggerlover]

PS - I do have a pretty great mother in law and she is wonderful with the kids. So glad to hear someone else has a great mother in law too.