[Margaret Pilkington]

Neil, I live in a terraced house too. Have done for over forty years.the difference is we have a little garden at the front.....ok so it is paved(I am no earthly use with green things).
We have a large backyard too and this is fine for us.
Not everyone can live in their ideal home....which is what you describe. Sometimes you have to compromise to get a roof over your head.
The houses they have refurbished are well built and they have turned some of them into larger family homes.
There will be people out there who would snap your hand off for one of these properties. It just happens that you are not one of them.