Should I sacrifice location?

Ugh this house hunting stuff...

I really had my heart set on a neighborhood that's very close to my job (within 10 minutes), with reasonable taxes. We're having trouble finding a home in our price range. The trouble is, I work in a very affluent community so most of the surrounding towns are out of the question. That's why this one was the perfect choice- it just isn't working out so far.

Our other choice is to obviously branch out. Trouble is, it tacks on to the commute. DH & I are alone here- my family is out of state and so is his. So when we have kids, we're on our own. I think it makes the most sense for at least one of us to have an easy commute to work for this reason.

Our jobs are exactly a half hour from each other. So finding something in the middle has been a challenge.

If we move to where we can afford it, we'll both have at least a 25-40 minute commute and that's without traffic. Are any of you in this situation- where you have kids, no family nearby to help, and you both have a commute to work? Should I just sacrifice location here?

Thanks for your advice!

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

Tara - email me if you want to talk locations!

As for whether you should sacrafice I really say no. The reason why is because since I know where you were looking, there are a few places RIGHT close by that could be a good price point too (I can think of one town in particular - LOL).

I think if the housing market was tight I would do it. But you are in the best position for this NJ market -- nothing to sell and you will be able to find the house.

We only looked in ONE town. That's it. It took one full year, but we did it.

Don't give up.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

If you really don't want to sacrifice location can you wait a while to buy something? Maybe more houses will go on the market in the Spring.

25 - 40 minute commute isnt that bad to me. DH and I both commute to NYC and have a 50 minute LIRR ride. His parents are both deceased and my parents live out of state for half the year. We just had a baby a few weeks ago. While its going to be hard to manage when I go back to work especially in the beginning, I know we'll make it work bc we have to. I figure there are people is worse situations than me and they make it work, so can I!

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

They say location is the one thing you should never compromise on. It sounds like you have a well thought out plan, but unless you & your DH are both teachers or have some other union jobs there is no guarantee you'll always work in the exact locations you're in now. Even the most well thought out plans can change. Ultimately you & your DH have to do what makes you comfortable.
I have to believe that in this market the right house in your choice location will become available though. Can you guys wait it out a little?

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

Ultimately, you have to come to that conclusion together, obviously.

I will say that for us, even a 40 minute commute isn't something we would concern ourselves with. There's no guarantee you're going to stay at those two jobs anyway, right? Anything could happen and you could wind up with a 40 minute commute later anyway.

We were faced with a compromise too. And we chose location over house. We made the concession that instead of buying a 'forever' house with all the room we could ever want and a huge plot, we bought a small starter home but got the location we wanted.

We do plan on moving within 10 years. But in the same neighborhood, so it's not as big a transition. My husband now has a one and a half hour commute each way on the train. And he's totally fine with that.

But I will tell you this. I knew absolutely nothing about our neighborhood when we started looking. It wasn't even on my list. We had Huntington and Port Jeff on our list - that's it. And now we're in St. James.

So you never know - you may wind up finding an even better location than you thought. Good luck with your decision!

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

DO NOT sacrifice on location, especially if you anticipate being in this house for a long period of time.

Wait to buy if you have to, but don't sacrifice on location!

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

My best advice is to buy the worst house on the best street.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

I usually would say that you shouldn't sacrifice on location, but not for the reasons you listed. We are house hunting also, but refuse to sacrifice location b/c we love the town, are close to family and it's a great school district. BUT, we are not choosing it b/c it's close to work. You never know how things can change down the line with your current jobs. And IMO, you need to like the area for many reasons. With that being said, maybe you should re-examine the areas within 30-40 min of your jobs and see which ones you really like the best.

Finding "the house" can take some time. If you are not in a rush and dead set on this area, you could wait it out for spring and summer when there are more houses to choose from.

Good luck

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

I wouldn't sacrifice location.

That being said though, a 25-40 minute commute doesn't sound that horrible to me.

If there are homes somewhat close to the price range you are hoping to spend, I'd be patient and see what comes available. In the meantime, it wouldn't hurt to look a little further out in your distance range - you might find something that blows anything in the area you are looking away!

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

nope..not a chance.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

Please do not sacrifice location.

You are better of getting a smaller home, or one a busier street then to give up location!

Out of curiosity...where are you looking? -

ETA: Never mind I just read your other post which said Hawthorne.

Message edited 11/15/2007 10:36:37 AM.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

No way!
We sacrificed location in our first house and were miserable in our neighborhood. We moved after only 3 years.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

You are talking about location in different terms than location is usually used in real estate. You are talking about location in terms of convienence, not about good neigborhood, school district, or any of those kinds of things.
So in your situation, I would say, that yes, you probably should look in some other places. Like others have said, you never know where life will take you and your jobs may change. A 25 minute commute doesn't really sound like that much to me, mine and DHs is at least an hour and a half door to door.
If you cannot afford the areas around your job, then you should look elsewhere, unless you are willing to wait for however long it takes for something in your price range that you like to come up for sale.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

I think its relative as well, for instance, I wanted to live in a super trendy super expensive neighbourhood near the shops, in the middle of the town etc...but our estate agent suggested we look at a house that was only 1 block outside of my limit and it was probably a good £20K ($40K) cheaper and it was bigger...so think about what your limits might be and go with your gut.

Re: Should I sacrifice location?

You've all given such great advice, thank you!!