We have second thoughts, and it keeps changing, about selling our 4 hectare property where our house stands on a hill. We have not done much improvement since 15 years of living here. Now, we are torn between selling it and moving to a suburban area, 40-50 minutes away, closer to highschool. Selling our house and buying a new house establishment ensuing more debts of 20 years mortgage to pay. Or, as we have been doing for years, stay here, extend/improve our house for our growing children. And then, travel 40 mins. to the city everyday for work and school. Or get a $30k loan for the extension and grow old here? Our children will be moving out for college, anyway. Which my husband and I would prefer that they'd stay. On Saturday, the children and I walked/run on our land. They paddled on a raft on our dam (very small lake). In the city suburban, we won't have that luxury and freedom. Walked on our graveled road. It was quiet and peaceful. We could hear the birds and the wind dancing the gum trees all around us. What to do?
Your place sounds a lot like ours. I vote to stay where you are. As you say your children will be leaving soon. They will be starting careers and families of their own and having a place where they grew up to come and visit, bringing your grandchildren will have fond memories for them. Financially you'll be better off too and that's important as you approach retirement. I only know, of course what you said in your post. I'm sure there are other factors to consider when making your decision.
I would to stay in your house even for the peace and quiet aspects only. I was born and raised in the city and my parents were apartment dwellers. When I married, we also stayed in an apartment and then rented a house. Fortunately, we acquired this house in the suburbs where we have lots of trees around and a variety of birds too. The only problem we face is the heavy traffic everyday when we travel for work that takes 2 hours. But back home at night, I have that peace of mind with the relaxing atmosphere where we hear the sound of crickets (or is that cicada?) and croaking frogs when it rains. It's much better to stay in the suburbs. One indication is the behavior of our dogs. When we were in the city, our dog had a poor appetite. But when we moved here in the suburb, our dog eats anything.
I was raised in a small town, but my folks had a large double lot, and life was pretty easy and peaceful back then. I even had a pony which we kept in the back yard. Once, the house had probably had more land with it; so there was still a small barn and chicken coop out back, and a small corral for me to keep my pony in. After I grew up, we have lived mostly in rural settings, and my kids grew up having horses and a variety of other farm animals. Now, Bobby and I live in town, and with neighbors all around, and right across the street from Redstone Arsenal; so there is a lot of traffic when people are going to work every day. Even though we would still prefer to be out in the country again, this place is all we can easily care for, and trying to have livestock would just be too much for us now. As we plant more shrubs and flowers, the place is gradually getting more privacy, and our neighbors are pretty much quiet people, too; so we probably have about as much solitude as a person can have that lives in a city.
I live in the surburs of a large city, it is quiet out here, I like it. The city noise is a little to loud for me and the country is a little to quiet. My sister lives in the country on about 3 acres, it is too quiet and dark for me. But as it was stated the children will be getting larger and moving on sooner than you think, so your living arrangements should be more to what you want and how you want to spend your time as time goes on.
When raising a family, any large place where the kids can run and play and where visitors can be received comfortably in a safe environment is ideal. As the kids get older and accessibility to schools and work places become a problem, families who can afford places which provide such accessibility migrate to such. It really depends on the needs of the family and of course,the corresponding budget.
There is a lot to consider when relocating especially when it involves sell property. It is an investment and could passed along to your children, that's what I think about. I think it would be worth it to go ahead and make any necessary repairs or upgrades in either case. After my grandparents passed the family didn't have a place to come together anymore and I was always saddened by that. Still in high school I would dream about having a place where my family would be able to come together again "a home away from home."
Grew up by the sea and always like to be in earshot of the sound of waves. You have an instant free playground for cycling along the promenade or bathing. You would be surprised at how many friends you acquire when they know you have a home by the sea
I live by the sea, but unfortunately it's the North Sea, which means that it's usually cold, wet and windy here and the only way I would consider bathing would be wearing a very, very thick wetsuit!
Your place sounds nice to me, and well worth fixing up. Have y'all considered whether the kids might want to put houses on sections of the land in the future, whether or not it's subdivided? Is that possible where you live? It could become the family compound eventually, which would make it very handy for retirement and old age.
I have to say, I have lived in about every size city and rural area there is and I am a HUGE fan of privacy and mother nature, so of course I would have to vote for country living. Now that I am retired it is a bit more taxing to care for the property and also a little inconvenient to travel to a city to shop, but as long as I'm able, I will stay in the country......it's where my heart is.
I believe if you enjoy the land and property you own @Avigail David, you must try to keep it because in the future might be harder for you getting something at least closer in characteristics and never again in price. Remember that real estate never depreciates but go on the raise. Think of the children mainly, how many cherished memories associated to the place in their minds and hearts? Would you think the change is going to benefit them? If so, this might be the sole reason that would make me sell hands down. Nonetheless don't take my word for it, I was born, raised and still living in a large capital city, I wouldn't see myself going to live in the suburbs nor the countryside because traffic, hustle and bustle are part of my own-self since I can remember and I really enjoy this busy life full of pollution we all residents live here, LOL I have memories of my parents taking me to camping and beyond the city boundaries or rural areas, but these were never so enjoyable as the city street walks they also took me through, and keep being part of my daily activity.