What would you do?

So lets say your looking to move and buy a house..

OPTION 1
Would you take the house that is smaller, cost more (including taxes) BUT is closer to you and DH's jobs? Houses in Westchester/BX and maybe some parts of Jersey - I work in Times Square DH works in BX

OR
OPTION 2
Would you take the house that's substantially larger, cost less or about the same (including taxes) BUT is about an hour away from you and DH's jobs? Houses in Dutchess County/Rockland/CT and maybe some further parts of Jersery as well

tx!!

Message edited 7/4/2011 7:56:06 PM.

Re: What would you do?

I don't know your situation, but things I never considered when we bought our first house was children. If you are planning to have children you need to consider space, will you or DH stay home or continue to work, etc. How is rush hour on your commute? Would it make an hour commute longer? etc.

It's a tough call.

Re: What would you do?

Great questions!! Yup we are planning on kids and i have a large family.

I don't think its in our plans for me to be a SAHM...but currently I am able to work from home occasionally. DH is a guidance counselor in the Bronx. He could possibly look for a position closer to home... but that's a big ??.

I on the other hand could definitely look for another job closer to home.

I think for his commute due to his hours 7am-3pm - I think he would avoid heavy rush hour...I on the other hand would probably hit all kinds of traffic

Just for distance I am going to add the locations to my OP

tx!

Re: What would you do?

I live in Putnam (Mahopac) now and I'm moving to Somers in northern Westchester and i think that's an easier commute than NJ or Dutchess and Orange and there's more affordability.

Check it out and see what you can afford. My neighbor commutes to the Bronx with the same hours as your DH and he has no issues with the commute. My DH took the train for a few years into NYC but then got tired of it and is now working in White Plains.

Any questions FM me!!

Re: What would you do?

tx Charly -I will.

Any other thoughts?

Re: What would you do?

I also live in Putnam and drove to the Bronx (by Yankee Stadium) for a few years. I am a teacher and had to be at school by 8. I used to leave by 5:45-6 and it took an hour. In the am there was no traffic; afternoon was heavier but not terrible, not what you'd see on LI. Usually fine once I got past the GWash exit on the Deegan.

I still commute to the Bronx but ride the train; depending on where your DH's school is and where you end up living it is at least a good bad weather alternative though I take it every day.

Re: What would you do?

I guess I'd vote for option 2 because that's what we do!

I live in Rockland and commute to NYC (lower Manhattan) and DH commutes to the Bronx.

His commute is 35-40 minutes without traffic. Mine is anywhere from an hour and 15 to an hour and 45 (although to Times Square, it's easier because you can take a bus directly in from most towns).

Re: What would you do?

My only piece of advice is that you can change a house to fit your needs but you can't change the location! Location is everything.

DH and I paid more than we wanted for our home but the location is fantastic and we are so happy that we have made the sacrifices that we have in order to live in our desired location. Our home is not what we wanted but we have plans to change it


Good luck!

Re: What would you do?

That's a tough question. We own a home now and we are expecting our first child. Our house is not going to be big enough and we need to move. It's not optional. Bear that in mind when considering option #1. Is there adequate storage? What happens if you decide to have another kid? Is there a place you can put all their crap so it's not in your living room?

On the other hand, as for option #2, you are much further from home. If you anticipate your child going to daycare and being cared for full time, consider the effect an hour commute will have on that. Also, keep in mind when your kids are school aged, you will be far from them. So if something happens at school or you want to get to one of their games, mother's day tea, concerts, etc. an hour is a long a haul.

Basically, you and your DH need to weigh these things out and see which will meet your family's needs the best.

Re: What would you do?

Option 2 - 1/2 hour isn't a bad commute at all!

Re: What would you do?

I picked #2 for a few reasons

1. More house, less money
2. I wouldn't let the proximity to my job play too much of a deciding factor because where I am now isn't necessarily where I will be 10 years from now. But I could be in the same house.