(Hey, we’d not heard anything but what’s new? It was worth a go)

So I nearly fell over when I saw that they’ve suspended all viewings while they sort out the EPC. The EPC which they saw right back at the beginning. What on earth are they playing at? And more importantly, why haven’t they decided this is worth mentioning to us?

I appreciate it’s hard out there, very hard, but TALK TO US.

The house has been on the market since December 2007 and I’m getting very very bored. I want to move on. We’ve identified the vague area we want to move to down here, we know what our budget is likely to be. Everything’s set except the small matter of the NorthHouse.

We know that finding that right place is going to take its time so we’ve begun our search. We need to find somewhere that has a dynamic life of its own, but is still connected to the city. The one that everyone always talks about is Didsbury, and while it’s such a cliche for thirtysomethings to want to move there, we thought we’d go and have a look. We were suprised to find somewhere that still felt like its own place. Yes, it had lots of identikit bars, but it also had independent shops I’d actually want to go to – like the cheese shop that you could smell from the street. One to keep an eye on, definitely.

A few days later we went for a wander round Knutsford. On paper, it has it all: a park, transport to Manchester, a Booths, independent shops and lots of interesting bars and restaurants, and yet it just didn’t do it for us. It seemed very dead, full of people who knew what they liked, thank you very much. I couldn’t see either of us living there – or rather, I couldn’t see us living there while we have the life we currently lead.

The only problem with these places is that you don’t get much for your money because everyone else wants to live there too. We’re exploring the North next, see what you can get there. At least we’ve learnt that it isn’t just a question of ticking off must-have physical characteristics, there’s got to be a certain atmosphere too. Of course, this means that we won’t be moving in our lifetimes, while we search for the unobtainable.

For one of my brothers, it’s especially difficult. He’s just finished university but can’t afford to stay in London (where he needs to be for his chosen career). Until he can get himself sorted out with jobs and affordable accommodation he’s back up here, in his childhood bedroom, with his brother.

Am I allowed to let myself be all big-sisterly and admit that part of me is glad they’re back around? It’s no fun being in a big family when you can’t go and pester a sib at a moments notice.

Anyway, Boys – good luck!

We spent part of the weekend investigating larger houses, but there was always that thought in the back of our minds that it was a futile exercise – we can’t plan for anything, do anything until we know what’s happening.

And so, back in our little house, we’re eating toast and trying to live quietly. We should be so lucky.