Decision to move closer to the hospital (any advice)

[first_time_mummy]

okay, so i know this sounds more like a question i should bbe discussing on a real estate forum, however it is in regard to bubs, and yous are pratically my best mates, so id like your opinion.

DP and I have been renting a home in a semi dodgy area, its right near the most well known 'drug dealer' street, which has me very worried at times. I hear screaming and swearing from our neighbours almost every week, and there has been a lot of suss cars that park outside our driveway.
We rent an old ex commission home, and its pretty run down, (not terrible) but semi termite eaten, and daggy looking from the outside.

Its only a 2 bedroom, and we like to have a bedroom for us, a bedroom (study) for the computers, and we will need a bedroom for bub soon.

I have been offered a home in penrith (which is 30 min drive away), not too bad, however i will need to get up early each morning and drive DP to work, as he has lost his licence.

It is also 40 dollars a week dearer in rent, and i am not working, so we will be relying on DP salary, which is only about 650 per week.

The new house we have been offered is a 3 bedroom, much homier looking, however it is on a share block with another home (the landlord- who seems nice)

Whats would you do??

- Make the move to a safer area, with more security...more bedrooms/room.
BUT have to pay more rent, drive twice as far to get to work etc.

or

- Stay where we are in a dodgier area, paying 40 less, but having only 2 bedrooms?

ALSO considering, that the new place we are considering, is only 3 minns from nepean hospital, where i plan to ahve bub.


PLEASE HELP. What would you do? I need to give the man an answer, and im so confused lol

[first_time_mummy]

Forgot to add, the DP is supportive of any decision. I asked him what he wanted to do, and he pretty much said, he doesnt mind. So i feel like the decision is on me...He has also not seen the house as hes been working, and i went to the inspection...

what to do lol??

[feeb]

I would move to safer nicer bigger place and maybe get a small side job like avon or tupperware to help with rent.

As once Bubs is born you will want to be able to go for walks with the pram and feel safe etc.

Slightly more money for peace of mind, safety and sanity.

Good luck hope that helps

[first_time_mummy]

thats what i was slightly leaning toward
And im going on centrelink payments soon. as my back is too sore for me to be working full time, they said they can put me on whats called disability pregnancy payment. Its only 400 per fortnight...but that will help with the rent i guess.

[*Beema*]

I would make the move, you want to bring you wee wun up in the safest environment you have the ability to provide, it will cost a bit more, but I think that for piece of mind and you feeling comfortable and safe walking around the neighbourhood is worth it. The room will be invaluable as little one come with A LOT of extras!!

Being a lot closer to the hospital may provide additional comfort for you being a First Time Mum

I would also look into Feeb's advice and find something part time litke the two she suggested, would also help in getting to know your new neighbours!

Take care and wsih luck with your decision.
xxoo

[sloane]

i agree that you should move as well!

it;s really important to feel safe at home - esp with a new baby. and the 3rd bedroom will be good - we moved from a 2 bedroom flat to a 3 bedroom house a couple of months ago and it's been the best thing we've done

[tellytubby]

Will you have to drive Dh to work once bub is born??? Cause that would be a pain in the bum (especially if you've just got bub to sleep and you have to wake her up to take dad to work).

But either way.... i would totally move. As people have said, the safest environment is the best environment.

Also feebs suggestion of tupperware or something similar is a great idea!

[ss_storm]

I would go for it. It may be a little more expensive, but really it's only $40 for an extra bedroom in a nicer area, although you will have to drive further for DP's work...is he able to catch public transport rather than you having to drive him?

But it definitely sounds a lot nicer than where you are now- would you really feel safe bringing bubs up in that sort of area? Not to mention having an extra bedroom of space!

[Inertia]

For me, it would depend - very specifically - to what part of the penrith area they are talking about. There are parts of that area that arent much better, such as Mt Pleasant. South Penrith, absolutely would. Jamisontown also good. Kingswood/Cambo/Werro - So long as it isnt too close to the train station.

I would also want to get a yes or no from your DP to the question "Do you want to move?" Big decisions like this need to be joint ones because if things go pearshaped, you both need to be in the problem solving boat together - not you in that boat with him in the "innocent" boat pointing fingers. Not saying it would happen, but its good for relationships to be on the same page.

Sit down together and write the pros and cons and make a choice.

[Lisa]

I'd definitely move.
However, if I were you, I would be very hesitant about moving into a house that I would be sharing a block with my landlord... I would feel very uncomfortable about that. The other thing that would turn me off would be the driving DP to work... I had to drive my DH to work when my DS2 was a newborn and it was awful! And that was only whilst we were getting our 2nd car fixed. Some mornings I would practically tear my DS off me to take DH to work... I hated it so much and I was soooooooo relieved when we got the 2nd car back. Our other car is in getting repairs done now and I have been taking DH to work this past week and have hated it again, and DS2 is now 2yrs old.
Is there not any other, similar houses you can look at? I wouldn't let being a little further away from the hospital bother you... unless it was something like a hours drive or so.
All the best for your decision.

[tattoo_mama]

i think moving is a good idea, but not necessarily into the place youve been offered...it depends what the landlord is like but it would make me pretty uncomfortable living next to the landlord, i would feel like they are constantly checking on me/the house, something you really dont need with a lil bub. can you maybe look on real estate websites etc for something similar? 3 bedrooms is definately the way to go, the place were in has 3 bedrooms, 1 for all our storage crap (mostly stuff for baby like pram/highchair/portacot), 1 for bubs, 1 for us, and we could still do with more room...

also on the driving aspect, how long til DP gets his licence back? my dp lost his but thankfully got it back a couple of months ago, it was killing me driving him to work an picking him up everyday while i was still working...can he maybe apply for an extraordinary licence or get public transport? GL

[diamond]

Hi first time mummy,

I am also in the Hawkesbury area and am very familiar with Penrith area. I have had a few friends have babies at both hospitals and would be glad to offer my opinion. At the risk of offending anyone, I will PM you to discuss.

[HotI]

How far is the new place from your DPs work? Could he get a bike and ride to work? Getting out each morning might be hard at first when bub arrives. It might not be that appealling to him, but he can think about why he lost his license as he rides!

[~clover~]

I agree that you need to move, but maybe you should keep looking.
I know its in a great place for hospital etc, but driving DH to work is hard. I've done it alot. $40 a week isn't too bad, but sharing with the landlord who might get over a baby crying in the night every night & make life hard won't be so great.
I'm sure if you take your time, keep checking in with the RE's you'll find something great