House Hunters International

Today we viewed SEVEN different potential houses for rent here in Cheltenham. It was a loooooong afternoon of house-hunting. Envisioning how we would arrange all our furniture in seven different houses in a matter of four hours made my brain hurt. (I suppose that's what happens when you've been away from work for five years...)

Fortunately, the taxing afternoon was well worth it. We found a couple of gems that would be excellent places to call home over the next three years. I've included our top two options House Hunters International style. All the relevant specifications (and a few photos) are listed below. Please weigh in asap -- we need to make a decision by the end of the week!

OPTION A: PITTVILLE
Recent £150,000 Renovation

2 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1 car garage

This house is admittedly plain on the outside, but every detail of the property is highest quality. The landlord recently sunk £150,000 ($225,000) into the addition of an extra living room and bedroom, new windows and carpets throughout, additional insulation for energy efficiency, a new fence around the entire property, landscaping galore (the house comes with a gardener), security system, electric remotely operated property gates, and more.

The main living room is bright with views of the garden on three sides and has a gas fireplace.

The kitchen is large and modern and outfitted to the highest standard.  (Just look at that giant AMERICAN sized fridge!)

Two of the best parts of this house are the huge yard (this is the back) and the secure parking for an armada of cars.

HIGH POINTS: Snug, energy efficient, ample storage in the garage, large fenced yard, security system, new fixtures and flooring and appliances, 15 minute walk to town center.

LOW POINTS: Bedrooms are ultra basic with small, high windows (no pictures are shown, but you can see the small windows on the upper level in the first photo of the house), no separate dining room, lacks the character of a period home, 30 minute commute for Nick by car (45 by bike).

ELLA WEIGHS IN:  Our firstborn refers to this as "the brown house with the pretty garden."

OPTION B: MONTPELLIER
Updated Victorian

2 reception rooms, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, street parking

As you can see from the photo, this house is certainly not lacking in character and charm.  It is Victorian to the hilt, and has fortunately been kept up-to-date on the interior with new carpets in the bedrooms, new windows throughout, and fresh paint.  When we viewed this house it was a construction zone.  All the updates are being done as I type, so if we quickly sign a lease soon we might be able to have some input about paint colors, flooring on the main level, etc.

The main living room has a gorgeous bay window, amazing original crown molding, and nice built-in storage.  It conveniently adjoins the second living room (which is almost as big as the main living room).

The kitchen has a gourmet gas range and various ovens, new (blue) cabinetry, and it connects through to a formal dining room with loads of built-in storage.

Master bedroom that spans the entire front of the house and looks out onto a forested area (no houses across the street).  

The garden is small, but it is completely fenced in with a gate which is accessible from the street.  

HIGH POINTS:  Gorgeous period details with updated floors and windows, three large bedrooms with ornamental fireplaces, large kitchen with formal dining room, 10 minute commute for Nick by car (10 minutes by bike).

LOW POINTS:  Very little attic storage (would require us to rent a storage unit), one tiny bedroom, none of the fireplaces (there are six total) actually work, moderately energy efficient, 25 minute walk to town center.

ELLA WEIGHS IN:  Bitzy calls this house "the castle."

Where will we live for the next three years?  Stay tuned to find out!  :)