City Center or Suburban House ???
@always_natalia (444)
Indonesia
May 31, 2009 9:34pm CST
My husband and I are planning to buy a house that has 3 bedrooms, because his siblings and relatives like to stay in our house for a few days whenever they visit the city that we live in.
We have been saving and searching for a good and affordable house for years. And we finally found a nice house with 3 bedrooms, garage, livingroom, dining room and nice kitchen. But this house is located in the suburb and take about 25 minutes drive to our office. That's quite far for our standard.
While our current house (that we rent) only has 2 bedrooms located in the city and only 5 minutes from my husband office, and 10 minutes from mine. The price of the house in the city center like this is very expensive and I don't think we can afford to buy one.
My mom likes that suburban house very much. But the only problem is, because it's located in the suburb and take 25 minutes drive ( 50 minutes vice versa) to our office, then both my husband and I will not be able to go home in the afternoons to have lunch like we always do.
I'm confused now. That's a great opportunity to buy a nice house with affordable price. But it's far and we will have to spend some money on lunch.
Do you think we should buy this house???
Thank you in advance for the advice :)
4 responses
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
2 Jun 09
Hi, Natalia!
It's always such fun, as well as so stressful, to make such plans! My house is huge, and I bought it out in an area surrounded by small farms and woodlands. Well, the zoning people changed things several years later, and now I find myself living in one of the busiest parts of the city. I haven't moved, but the farmers sold to developers, etc. I much preferred the 30 minutes of driving to get to work to living in a busier area. Now that it's changed, I'd still like to live in an area that's not so busy. I just don't have that option, since my huge, lovely house cost very little back in those days.
I do bring lunch with me to work, since there couldn't be time to go home for lunch. I took a little adjusting at first, but that wasn't difficult. I really enjoy listening to the news on the radio driving to work, and to good music on the way home.
Best of luck in yur quest!
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
1 Jun 09
I don't know.. we are all so different. If it's your "dream house" though and at an avordable price, it might be worth some other adjustments. Lunches can be packed and do not have to be purchased more expensively. There may be some other ways to commute to save on gas prices as well. The suburbs are usually (not always) a little more peaceful and family oriented as well! Maybe you shoulc set down tegether an make a set of lists of the benefits and detriments you'd have to look at if you were to move. You could even make the lists separately and then compare and discuss them. Sometimes that's a good way to help work through a major decision. You may also be able to come up with so very workable solutions to any of the down sides of why you don't want to purchase it.. I don't know!
@derlilaStern (1756)
• United States
1 Jun 09
Ultimately it is what you are willing to sacrifice. Which is more important to you - owning your own house or being able to eat lunch with your husband?
You could ride to work together - that would give you some quality time each day, even if it isnt during lunch. That way you can still have some special time each day with each other.
Or you can continue to save up for a house in the city center.
Anytime you buy a house, there is a sacrifice that needs to be made. In this case, it is just deciding which sacrifice is more worth it to you!
(I am not a city person, so I would definitley go with the suburban house!)
@khayshenz (1384)
• United States
1 Jun 09
Do you like the neighborhood in the suburbs? What other factors of the suburbs house that makes it non-feasible (of course other than distance)?
I mean if it's just the whole lunch deal - you can bring lunch from home. I live about 10 minutes away from work - and I still hesitate to go home and eat, mainly to save gas.
Weight out the pros and cons - then go from there.
I HIGHLY suggest purchasing a house in this market though (i'm assuming you're in the US). Because if you're renting - you're not investing in yourself and your future. At least if you own a property and are paying mortgage, you're investing in you.
Good luck!
