Old to new and loving it.

Hmm, we are leaving a very big well-maintained old pile, for a smaller very run down old pile, which we intend to turn into a smaller very-well-maintained house.

We did look at a very pretty 1930s house, but both of us had to admit that we preferred houses with beams.

However, the big attraction of our new home, is Location, Location, Location. It is in a back street, close to the centre of a small buzzy town and every thing we need will be within a walk of 100 yards or so, Lidl, Iceland, M&S Food, Waitrose, doctor, dentist, Cinecentre, Optician next door but one, podiatrist at the end of the road, off road parking for 4 cars.

We are both 81. I might add I hate underfloor heating. That is personal, I know many who love it, but I do not.

We had 40 years in a 400 year old farmhouse. It was cold, leaked and was constantly in need of maintenance. It was a listed building so there was a limit to what we could do to update it. We now live in a 1960s bungalow and love it. We have uPVC double glazing and when it's windy we don't worry about the roof! Bliss.

(If) and when our last 3 AC ever leave home and our dear spaniel is no longer with us, our 1904 home will go on the market and we will purchase a 2 bed, 2 bathroom modern flat, as new as possible flat!

M0nica

Hmm, we are leaving a very big well-maintained old pile, for a smaller very run down old pile, which we intend to turn into a smaller very-well-maintained house.

We did look at a very pretty 1930s house, but both of us had to admit that we preferred houses with beams.

However, the big attraction of our new home, is Location, Location, Location. It is in a back street, close to the centre of a small buzzy town and every thing we need will be within a walk of 100 yards or so, Lidl, Iceland, M&S Food, Waitrose, doctor, dentist, Cinecentre, Optician next door but one, podiatrist at the end of the road, off road parking for 4 cars.

We are both 81. I might add I hate underfloor heating. That is personal, I know many who love it, but I do not.

You’re very brave! Good luck

I grew up in a cold, leaky, falling-apart 200 year old house and never wish to repeat that! We have a brand new house and whilst yes, it’s identical to others in the area, (so was the house I grew up in - a row of a dozen Regency houses!) we’ve made it uniquely ours. I believe it’s people that make a home, not the bricks and mortar.

So pleased you’re happy with your new home. We’ve had five brand new houses and some older ones inbetween. I love a new house and the smell of plaster and new carpets I’d move every five years if I could afford it. Sadly not.

We have owned 2 new houses and would never have a new one again, badly and shoddily built, with poor after sales service. Each one bought from a well known highly rated builder.

DD has just bought a house built in 2007 and needing a complete overhaul, bathroom and kitchen replacement, recarpetting, new flooring, new central heating boiler, Anglian water to clear all the drains and sewers, new fencing and redecorating.

I’m about to complete on a 5yr old house and can’t wait to not worry about the old but reliable boiler, the very old kitchen, the asbestos roof on the garage, the need trimming badly conifers at the bottom of the garden it’s going to be a relief.

I have a very eager GS who runs his own decorating company who is going to re spray/paint the house while it’s empty and I camp out with my goods and chattels at his brothers house. It’s nice to hear about others who have made the leap. Enjoy your new homes.

After the new house smell had worn off Erica23?😆

Oh how I long for a new small house with no major repairs in my lifetime.
But at a couple of weeks off 88 it is a pipe dream.
My house is far too big but I do have two family members here , maybe temporarily, maybe until I die.
The kitchen needs updating, one bathroom needs updating and although I can afford it the thought of the hassle involved is too much to contemplate.
I thought briefly about it when my H died 6 years ago but advised to wait at least a year, by then it was too late for me.
Do it while you can if you are waiting, don’t leave it too late.

We tend to have the best of both options. In the past we’ve bought older houses ( not listed) , gutted them and put all mod cons in whilst respecting the original features.

We love our house and all it's foibles.

It was a Board school built in 1872 and converted when the new school was built. The roof is decidedly iffy but we know some lovely roof men.

A son in law and a daughter in law came to school here and I love to hear tales from people who were pupils, or even taught, here.

We have had 2 new builds in our married life but mostly older properties - Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian and I much prefer the older ones.

Sago - you are at the right age - if anyone’s thinking of moving, do it in your sixties or right side of 70.
Monica - you are very brave and 💪

M0nica

We have owned 2 new houses and would never have a new one again, badly and shoddily built, with poor after sales service. Each one bought from a well known highly rated builder.

DD has just bought a house built in 2007 and needing a complete overhaul, bathroom and kitchen replacement, recarpetting, new flooring, new central heating boiler, Anglian water to clear all the drains and sewers, new fencing and redecorating.

That list is rather like my DD’s house, cracking on for 200 years old and needing everything done! So far a new boiler, new flooring, new kitchen, bathrooms are about to be upgraded as they can afford it, fences replaced and eventually rewiring. It’s got bats and giant spiders too. 👀 👀 Luckily, it’s not listed so they don’t have to deal with that palaver.

Our home is 30's and was really well maintained when we bought it, but we've been busy with life and 20+ years on we are just starting a major overhaul.
Both my AC have just bought new homes, single AS, a beautifully designed purpose-built city centre flat, and married AS has moved into a new-build house after 8 rather fraught years in a Victorian end of terrace.
I am amazed how lovely and simple their homes are - maybe ours will be somewhere near as convenient once we've endured through the renovations.
Ours does have a good location & huge (for the location) garden though.Downsizing is definitely an option and I do "fall in love" with properties so maybe not new-build although I'm really impressed with how nice they are now.

Yes namsnanny any you’ve got it one. It must be addictive! 🤣

Hm. Just had a new roof on an extension that was in a shocking state. Also about to go on holiday while builders come in refit the bathroom completely, from underfloor heating to a new ceiling as well as a complement of new furniture. Then on our return they will be back outside ( scaffolding is still up) to sort out re plastering some rear walls. It is stressful and exhausting.

Good for you Sago. A new house is such a pleasure.
Ours was new 40 years ago, a barn conversion built by a local builder.
It's showing it's age now and I would love to move but DH won't.

On those occasions when I still watch 'Escape to the Country', I always find myself loving the wonderful modern houses they occasionally show, thinking how lovely they would be to live in, whilst totally failing to understand anything nice about the aged ones with beams, etc. They always strike me as having bad sized rooms in the wrong place and difficult to run and to clean.
My flat was build in the mid-80's/ Seem to have the best of both worlds. Very modern ones, have smaller rooms, and often have the modern (space saving) craze of kitchens at end of living room. I have a very large living/dining room and a separate kitchen, as well two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
I have totally modernised it insofar as only carpet is now in main bedroom, everywhere else Karndean or Amtico . flooring. New kitchen and bathrooms (I so love the comfort height loos), It is so very easy to keep really clean with very little effort on my part. Location is excellent in every way. What more could I want in my mid-eighties.

Yes if we ever move, it will be to a new build.

Got to the age now where comfort overrides anything else, and good insulation, up to date heating system and cleanliness tops anything else. That alongside sleek modern utilities and nothing needing doing!

Franbern

On those occasions when I still watch 'Escape to the Country', I always find myself loving the wonderful modern houses they occasionally show, thinking how lovely they would be to live in, whilst totally failing to understand anything nice about the aged ones with beams, etc. They always strike me as having bad sized rooms in the wrong place and difficult to run and to clean.
My flat was build in the mid-80's/ Seem to have the best of both worlds. Very modern ones, have smaller rooms, and often have the modern (space saving) craze of kitchens at end of living room. I have a very large living/dining room and a separate kitchen, as well two bedrooms and two bathrooms.
I have totally modernised it insofar as only carpet is now in main bedroom, everywhere else Karndean or Amtico . flooring. New kitchen and bathrooms (I so love the comfort height loos), It is so very easy to keep really clean with very little effort on my part. Location is excellent in every way. What more could I want in my mid-eighties.

I love the look of Karndean flooring too and was delighted to find it in my flat when I bought it three years ago. Not for long though! I found it so cold and not a bit cosy, either in look or feel. I suppose, having always had carpets, that was the reason, and it was a light grey colour which didn’t help. It was a shame to cover it, but I just had to, because I was cold just looking at it! I now have a beautiful carpet and my flat looks beautiful. You have to put comfort over beauty at my age!

Usedtobeblonde - completely agree! We have several friends in houses they outgrew years ago. I sympathise because it is daunting as you get older. We moved from an early Victorian to a much smaller 1960s and we're very happy. The decluttering alone was worth all the effort. Two skips and endless trips to the tip and charity shops and we don't miss any of it.

We downsized from a 4 bed Edwardian house on 3 floors to a 60s 3 bed last year. Much easier to heat and keep clean, and closer to GP surgery, library, shops etc. The buying and selling was stressful, but we got rid of lots of furniture, clothing and other stuff. We love it - only advice to those wavering is do it before you get too old! It’s given us a new lease of life and we save money on heating, constant repair and upkeep of an older house.

I fully intended to move house this year and got so far as getting estate agents involved, but chickened out after realising what is involved. All the hassle etc.
Also, the energy performance certificate on this house would rate very low as house is old and in need of modernisation.

Also, at the age of 80, I just haven’t got the energy.
I would love a new house. But sadly it’s not to be for me.
Should have moved sooner but had mortgage to pay off.