Early 20s, saving for a house - is it worth buying a car?
My gf and I are both in our early 20s, have been together almost 6 years and are looking to buy our first place. I'd like to get some opinions on whether getting a car / learning to drive is worth it.
We both work in London (I'm a software engineer, she's an accountant with one of the big 4) and are looking for a humble place - so realistically not within Greater London, more like Tonbridge Wells etc.
Right now, we have decent savings and will have a pretty good income by the time we're looking to buy (our goal is within 1-2 years). However neither of us can drive, and I can't decide whether it's worth the money (or whether we should wait until after we've purchased).
Positives:
- Would allow more options to live further from the station / London
- good investment for future if we have kids
- freedom to travel
Negavtives:
- Personally don't have much desire to drive, roads seem like hell (gf is much more intent than me)
- Expensive (gf's parents have offered to help buy car... but insurance )
- not strictly necessary since most places have good transport, would be commuting via train to central London for work anyway
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I can see the arguments both ways so would be really grateful for some opinions!! :-)