https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:55:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898291 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 15:59:16 +0000 foodiebee 2898291@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, we ended up putting in an offer but ultimately withdrew it. We put in what we and our realtor thought was a very fair offer, but they came back with a really nitpicky counter and balked at the inspections we wanted (yes, we want a lead paint inspection with a house built in the 50s with peeling paint everywhere that we're going to live in with a baby while we renovate things!). We were so excited when we put in the offer, but negotiating with the owners was just deflating. We finally decided today that we were going to pull the offer and keep looking. </p> <p>BUT! You all really did help me sort out my emotions on this, and reading your stories about renoing and moving (ugh, commuting is so hard!) was a big help for me to sort out how I was feeling. We're going to start looking for something else that will work for every reason you all cited. </p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: The "steal" is what we were kinda hoping for here, even with our reasonable offer. </p> <p>@Pollywog: We were looking to sell ours for enough profit that we could have done some things--like the windows and floors and water issues--upfront, but the kitchens and hall bath were okay enough to live in for a while. The windows and water issues were definite needs though.</p> <p>@Ajsmommy: I was thinking the same thing about playdates and school events! Getting back that time with him when we're both not in a car will be so valuable! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898284 Tue, 01 Oct 2019 13:39:27 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2898284@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like others have said, do it. If the house is livable, even if it's not perfect, use the profit you'll likely make on your sale to tackle things you really care about first, and then do the rest as time allows. The unknown is scary and sometimes you just have to do it and the upsides really seem to outweigh the downsides here. FWIW, we bought a house 2 months ago and I resisted the process so much because all the things you'll be gaining (shorter commute, closer to friends, etc.) we lost as a result of the move and I really didn't want to, but more space and the community we're now in is worth it and will be worth it over time so I just had to go with it and it was the right call. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898087 Mon, 30 Sep 2019 07:24:11 +0000 Ajsmommy 2898087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would totally move just to cut down the commute... especially since you have LO now.. trust me in the future when there are school events and play dates that shorter commute will be a god send! </p> <p>We just moved with 2 kids and yes it was a nightmare but it was so so so worth it. If I was looking at all the perks you listed then i'd for sure suck it up and move for the benefit in the long run. I think it'll really be worth any hassle/hardships now. </p> <p>As for reno's if there is anyway you could try to have them done before moving? Or maybe plan a week vacation and have someone come in and do as much as possible while you are away, that's what i would try to do. We were looking at doing a huge reno before we decided to move and the contractor actually recommended us taking a week long vacation so we wouldn't be there and he said they would be the bulk of the work done while we were away and have it livable when we returned. We were going to do a staycation kinda thing. Stay in a hotel nearby...anyway we didn't do it, just a thought/option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898071 Sun, 29 Sep 2019 17:51:44 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2898071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely move. The commute savings alone will save your sanity. We moved when DS1 was 18 months to a house that we initially passed over because of the renovation factor but in a good neighbourhood and cut our commutes in half. Our realtor encouraged us to take another look and we decided to go for it and I’m forever grateful. We’ve been here 3 years and have gutted the main bathroom, fenced the yard, redid the driveway from pavers to asphalt, painted the whole house, etc. We are probably looking at new AC next summer and had to get a new fridge a month ago, redoing carpet in the basement in a couple weeks and new doors as well. It definitely adds up and sometimes it drives me nuts because the house isn’t exactly the way I want it. We got the house for a steal and the market has exploded around here...like we bought just under 400k and houses are going for 550-575k and up now. </p> <p>Advice would be to do the major things like flooring and painting before you move if possible. Make sure your bathrooms are bearable. Our kitchen is old but we are saving that for a major gut job in like 5-10 years. Simple stuff like changing the cupboard knobs and paint make it bearable. We had 5 weeks to closing so we had to wait to do it all which was a PITA but not impossible. With one kid it’s so much easier...now we have a second son and I am so happy we are staying put. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898052 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 20:14:33 +0000 periwinklebee 2898052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>p.s. Also, I am so dead tired from burning the candle at both ends to deal with all the details of the reno. I think if you want it done in a way you'll love it does take a lot of thought (at least for me!), and I wouldn't have been happy if I just outsourced that work (plus this would have been even more $$$). I could never handle a full gut because I just don't have the time or energy, our more modest in scope renovation is really the max I can handle time-wise. So if you have time before needing to make an offer, maybe worth talking to friends who've done renovations similar in scope just to get a better sense of what you're getting into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898051 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 20:10:53 +0000 periwinklebee 2898051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it's inevitable to feel hesitation because it's a huge change, a lot of work, and can have major implications for your financial situation even if well within budget. </p> <p>We moved about four months ago, we were definitely hesitant at the time but it's a hot market and we had to make a very quick decision, and I'm so glad we did. </p> <p>That said, renovations often add up in unanticipated ways, especially if it's an old house and you want to do it well to save you even more expense down the road. We are in the middle of doing renovations. The house is nearly 200 years old, and of course we discovered significant issues with the framing, etc, that weren't apparent until we tore down to the studs. All this takes money and more time (not great since we're expecting in Dec and really wanted it done before the baby gets here since we're living in the house while renovating). I'm sure we got the house cheaper than if the renovations had already been done, but part of it is also fixing non-visible stuff that doesn't add value. We have a large yard, and that can has maintenance costs as well; i.e. we have some amazing trees but they need periodic fertilizations and treatments to prevent disease. It's totally worth it for me because I LOVE the yard and house, and we budgeted enough too account for these costs, but if I didn't I could imagine being pretty annoyed.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898049 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 18:59:34 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 2898049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just moved. It was work to pack organize etc but well worth it! We did a new build, but a friend just did a full reno and it’s amazing and exactly how she wanted it (as opposed to buying something someone else has upgraded). </p> <p>I say go for it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898018 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 21:37:09 +0000 ALV91711 2898018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Being in the neighbourhood you want and the lessened commute time makes it worth it even if you can’t do all the renos right away. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898011 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 20:37:37 +0000 wrkbrk 2898011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@foodiebee: It sounds like you’re just overwhelmed (understandably!) with the work involved in moving. But once that’s behind you think of alllll the advantages! You’ve got to grab opportunities in this life :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898009 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 20:06:58 +0000 Pollywog 2898009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you afford to do a Reno upfront? Maybe spending a few months finishing the basement, and the like? Honestly the shorter commute is so worth it. You'll get an extra hour and a half with him a day </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898004 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:48:28 +0000 bhbee 2898004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It does sound like a good opportunity. I guess one question to consider is can you afford all the work now, and if not are you willing to live without it for a while? Just making sure you plan out the total cost if the house itself is already a step up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2898003 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:12:20 +0000 graceandjoy 2898003@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would for sure move. We completely gutted and renovated our house inside/out; it was way more affordable that way than to buy something move-in ready (and I might not even like it as much). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-me-figure-out-my-moving-hesitation#post-2897998 Fri, 27 Sep 2019 15:56:47 +0000 foodiebee 2897998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello! Here's my situation: DH and I live about 40 minutes outside of town. We love our home and are very comfortable in it, physically and financially. We live in a good school district though very large and crowded. We have a 14 week old son and a dog and always talked about moving closer in to a particular neighborhood we love, cutting our commute, being closer to restaurants we frequent, and closer to dear friends (no family in state). </p> <p>An opportunity has come up to move across the street from our friends! It's in our preferred neighborhood and the house is a great size for us. It would cut my commute from 40-60 minutes both ways to 15 minutes. The downside is that the house needs work. It hasn't been maintained, appliances and big-ticket items are all older, and the yard is a big commitment to keep up. Financially it's a step up from where we are now but nothing we can't do. The basement is unfinished and a bit scary tbh (laundry is down there). </p> <p>There's added value to be had in fixing it up and finishing the basement. It's in a fantastic neighborhood that holds value. We'd get our investment back. We'd live across the street from friends. We'd be in the best school district in the city. </p> <p>And yet...I'm hesitating. Part of me relishes the idea of getting into this neighborhood at a deal and being near friends and the other part cringes at the idea of having to pack all my crap up with an infant. Longterm, this is where I want my son to go to school. But I also know that a house I truly love might pop up between now and the years we have before he goes to school. I might pay a good bit more for it though than this one. </p> <p>What would you do? Anyone else have to make a moving decision they were flip-flopping on? I go back and forth and am wishing for clarity!</p> <p>ETA Our current neighborhood's real estate is "on fire" and we could probably sell for a good profit pretty quickly! Might be a bubble... </p>