After a few weeks of house hunting, I have found a property I like enough to put in an offer (which has been accepted by the vendor). It’s near to my parents and grandparents, on a reasonably quiet road and with elderly neighbours who keep their gardens in top shape and are unlikely to have late night parties. It needs a new boiler and a rewire, but there are no other major jobs which need doing before I move in.
I’m hoping to be in by Christmas, although that depends on everyone involved moving at a reasonable pace. I’ve also moved house often enough to know that nothing is certain until you actually have the keys in your hand (even after exchange of contracts, someone can still pull out), so I’m still keeping an eye on other properties should this sale fall through.