One of the advantages of N scale is the ability to run trains that are protypical length, such as unit trains.
I've always considered HO to be the minimum scale if you want peopkle to see and appreciate your buildings, people and so forth, and N to be the scale if you want large distances and a chance for viewers to appreciate scenery in general.
frankly, I am considering the same sort of switch-over that you are.
I might suggest that you find someone that wants to move to HO, and simply trade straight across. There are some that after a while find it difficult to work in N scale because of eyesight or other physical problems, but I know a lot of N scalers that are older than I am and that's saying a lot.I am leaning more and more towards N.
It is now more a matter of how I am going to liquidate my HO collection, or how much of a stink my wife will raise.
The advantages of N scale have been spelled out pretty well in the previous responses. Some disadvantages to think about:
1. Much more limited stock.
2 Very limited number of DCC ready steam locomotives.
3. Depending on the era you are modeling, limited number of available vehicles.
The other disadvantages (such as the need for good track alignment, etc.) can be overcome quite easily.
In spite of the disadvantages, I feel they are more than offset by the fact that you can fit twice as much in the same space.
Just make sure you have a good magnifying glass - you will use it a lot!
I have days when I cuss N scale a lot, but I still love it!
What is "the amount of space you have"?
N scale has come a loonng way!! Detailing is harder to do but most things can be done with a LOT of patience. And of course magnifying glass or good eyes. In some cases detailing looks better because you can skip certain areas because the eye will scan past it , but to try and sell HO to start a N layout is tough, I would definitly try a small layout nothing fancy either. Attached are a couple pics of a piece about 1X3' and what I did in the area.
I am in the process of moving and this logging camp is all that is left of my layout!!! It will be incorporated into new layout at new house. Which should begn construction in a few weeks.
That's bigger than I expected you to say. Most people, it seems, aren't as ambitious as you or me, and would be content with that space for HO. But that isn't enough space to handle long trains well. If you want to model a shortline, HO is certainly small enough. To handle heavy mainline action, N is advisable. That's the sort of space I love to plan for, as it isn't a struggle to fit the bare necessities (if many long trains are assumed, the necessities take up much more room than you'd guess at first).Roughly 18' X 18'