They got the house (actually a cottage)
Much (much) smaller than the one they are leaving, with little outside space for the children and no off-street parking BUT easier and cheaper to heat, bigger than it looks inside apparently, walking distance to school, childminder, us and Miss Osc's office. It is very rare that houses come up for rent in this area, mostly apartments. When they get past the initial moving stage, deposit etc. SIL reckons they will save well over €1,000 a month between lower rent and heating costs
which will surely ease the pain of the differences - and it has a nice view too. They have to rent from 1st February but won't move till mid February.