Peace Of Mind
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[font color="#8f2520"]~ Drinks Well With Others ~[/font]
Joined: Dec 17, 2010 16:53:02 GMT -5
Posts: 15,554
Location: Paradise
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Post by Peace Of Mind on May 11, 2017 16:12:58 GMT -5
The one that you can afford comfortably and the one that fits the amount of people who you let live with you without making you feel stabby. Which is why we have a 4 bdrm. 3 bath almost 2,200 SF house with 2 adults and 4 cats.
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TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on May 11, 2017 16:18:18 GMT -5
My house is too big for 1 person, 1 cat. It's 1800 sq ft with 3/2, 2 car garage and finished basement. The laundry room is on the main floor. There is a bathroom in the basement. I don't need the finished basement.
I grew up with mom and dad and sister in 950 sq ft house. 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. We all survived.
When I watch HGTV, I don't understand why every kid needs their own bathroom.
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emma1420
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Post by emma1420 on May 11, 2017 16:42:09 GMT -5
I live by myself in a 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath house, a little over 2500 sf, not counting unfinished basement. It's the smallest house in the neighborhood. Sure, I probably don't "need" that much space, but smaller homes in this area are in less desirable neighborhoods or townhomes with the attendant irritations of noisy neighbors and parking issues, or (shudder) condos. I deserve to live in a nice neighborhood just as much as anyone else and I can afford it, so this is where I live. I'm very happy here.
I had a peripheral relation who used to berate me for being selfish. She firmly believed that my choice to live in this house "deprived a family of a home." She also believed that my having a good career job "deprived a man of the ability to support his family." She was an idiot. I just stopped interacting with her.
I like living in this neighborhood. There are people here my age whose kids have grown up and moved away, a couple of other single people like me, families with teenagers, families with young children, and families with brand new babies. I have been very fortunate in my immediate neighbors; they're all nice (and not crazy), they do not have feral children, and their dogs all like me. Moving to something more "suitable" for me would mean leaving my pleasant environment and nice neighbors and furry friends for a bunch of strangers who could very well all turn out to be cranky old people who hate dogs. So yeah, the house is bigger than I "need," but I like my house and my neighbors, so here I stay. That's similar to my situation as well. Although I don't consider my house particularly big, but I was priced out of the good areas with small houses. My choices were either a small house in a crappy area, or a larger house in a nice area. So I picked the nice area.
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on May 11, 2017 16:58:08 GMT -5
Before we retired and moved into a condo, we lived (2 adults and 2 kids, ODS was in the military) in a 4 bedroom/2 bath colonial that was a hair under 2200 s/ft. We had plenty of room that was not allocated how we preferred, but we loved the area and had a gorgeous yard. The original part of the house was built by a neighbor for a retired couple. On the first floor, the kitchen was an 8X8 box; the master bedroom, which we used as a den was 10X12; the bathroom was large, and there was a separate living room and dining room. On the second floor there was one large bedroom.
The people we purchased the house from added two more bedrooms and a bathroom to the second floor. The large master was now upstairs and ran the width of the house, but the bathroom could be entered from the master or from the hallway between the other bedrooms. The master had a slider w/ a porch which was a potential hazard with young kids. That was the first item we fixed by knocking down the porch, closing in the wall where the slider was, and adding a box window. Downstairs we ripped out the wall to wall carpet to expose the original hardwood floors except in the den which was carpeted. We took off the interior doors to the living room and dining room that gave us a better flow on the main level. We raised the roof to add skylights and expanded/renovated the kitchen, so we had a large, eat-in kitchen and an enclosed veranda room. We added a Samsung wall mounted A/C to get rid of the behemoth old one that was inadequate to cool the first floor.
Outside, we started from scratch by removing dozens of trees, built a huge two tiered deck, and erected an oval, above ground pool surrounded by a fence. We put a fence across the back yard to deter a direct path from the deer. We re-landscaped the entire yard with bushes and flower gardens in the back yard, and bushes in the front yard. We laid the brick walkway in the front and installed a crushed rock walkway and shed in the side yard. In retrospect, we were very happy in that house because we were close to the kids' schools and I had a short work commute, but we were slaves to the yard work!
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zibazinski
Community Leader
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Post by zibazinski on May 11, 2017 17:16:02 GMT -5
I'm buying a house that has 1455 sq ft. 3 bedrooms that are pretty good sized for a 1942 home. 2 tiny bathrooms, 1 of which I hope I can gut and make more useful. I'm also getting rid of the grass which will cut down on maintenance. I've got a pool, that'll be enough work. A deck as well. I'll use one room as a guest room and one as an office/guest room if needed. It's just me now and the cat. It's a family neighborhood, I hope, with friendly neighbors.
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plugginaway22
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Post by plugginaway22 on May 11, 2017 17:16:59 GMT -5
dee... that is where DH and I are now! Empty nesters in a 4 BR home with too much space, but it is all done over to our liking! We love the large private backyard, gardens, redone kitchen and bathrooms, etc. Whenever I think of downsizing I cannot imagine to what! How long have you been in the condo and do you have any regrets?
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on May 11, 2017 17:37:38 GMT -5
Nine years. Regrets, yes and no, since our kids/gkids are scattered in different states. I like our neighborhood, love living on one floor, and really love the lack of yard work.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on May 11, 2017 19:22:56 GMT -5
My house is too big for 1 person, 1 cat. It's 1800 sq ft with 3/2, 2 car garage and finished basement. The laundry room is on the main floor. There is a bathroom in the basement. I don't need the finished basement. I grew up with mom and dad and sister in 950 sq ft house. 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. We all survived. When I watch HGTV, I don't understand why every kid needs their own bathroom. It is so they can all brush their teeth at the same time! Because in the 2 hours between dinner and bedtime they can not find 1 minute each to brush their teeth using the same sink.
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alabamagal
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 11:30:29 GMT -5
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Post by alabamagal on May 11, 2017 19:28:34 GMT -5
dee... that is where DH and I are now! Empty nesters in a 4 BR home with too much space, but it is all done over to our liking! We love the large private backyard, gardens, redone kitchen and bathrooms, etc. Whenever I think of downsizing I cannot imagine to what! How long have you been in the condo and do you have any regrets? Question? If you have 3 bedroom that you are not using, is it really that much extra work cleaning? Maybe I just have low standards, but I don't clean unused rooms until just before I have someone coming over to use them.
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suesinfl
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Post by suesinfl on May 11, 2017 20:10:30 GMT -5
Wow, some of you have large houses which is great, if that is what you want. I would have like a larger place when the kids were younger, but it wasn't meant to be. I have a 1,000sq ft ranch, 3BR 1 1/2 baths, no attic or basement and a carport on 3/4 of an acre. My self and a 19yo, a 15 yo, one 75lb dog, one 45lb dog and two inside/outside cats.
It fits us just fine, but to tell the truth, I can't wait until the kids are through with school and are launched. I want to down size to about 800sq ft or less. I don't collect anything, have any hobbies that take up room, etc. But to be honest I plan to rent when it's just me because I don't like the up keep of owning. I know that renting has it's pros and cons, but for me the pros out weigh the cons.
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dee27
Senior Member
Joined: Sept 28, 2016 21:08:12 GMT -5
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Post by dee27 on May 11, 2017 21:01:19 GMT -5
dee... that is where DH and I are now! Empty nesters in a 4 BR home with too much space, but it is all done over to our liking! We love the large private backyard, gardens, redone kitchen and bathrooms, etc. Whenever I think of downsizing I cannot imagine to what! How long have you been in the condo and do you have any regrets? Question? If you have 3 bedroom that you are not using, is it really that much extra work cleaning? Maybe I just have low standards, but I don't clean unused rooms until just before I have someone coming over to use them. For us, it was the escalating cost of utilities that sealed the deal, and our kids moved out of state for jobs and our retired friends had moved to LCOLAs. There was nothing holding us there.
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plugginaway22
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Joined: Jan 2, 2011 10:18:42 GMT -5
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Post by plugginaway22 on May 12, 2017 6:46:37 GMT -5
Agreed, Dee. It is not the cleaning of the 3 extra BR and 1 bath. It is the utility costs, and annual property taxes here in PA, which are now at about 5k per year. Two of our 3 grown children have moved away. DH and I are still working and have good commutes so another reason to stay put for awhile.
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Lizard Queen
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103/2024
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Post by Lizard Queen on May 12, 2017 8:36:13 GMT -5
For 2 adults and 2 young kids, we've got 1,665 finished, 3/1.5, about 1,300 sf unfinished basement, and 2 car garage, on a lot just a smidge under 1/4 acre. Would like 2,500-3,000sf finished, 4 bed (one could be in a walk out basement, another full bath, some unfinished storage in the basement, 2.5-3.5 car garage (for storage & when the kids are driving), 1/3 acre. More land would be nice, but I can barely manage what we've got right now that DH is out of commission. Still, it's a little too small for the kids to play soccer or throw a baseball safely. We've got a deck and a shed, as well as a couple trees occupying a chunk of the space.
I'd love a ranch with a walk out basement. We could just ignored it when we're empty nesters.
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dee27
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Post by dee27 on May 12, 2017 13:23:36 GMT -5
Yeah, the taxes were crazy where we lived before we moved out of state although the mayor of our city tried to control costs, the state was inept at keeping taxes at bay and generating the money needed to run the state. It is worse now , so we made a good choice for us at the time. My brother is doing the same soul searching now as he prepares to retire within the year. Logically, there is no way he can keep up the rising taxes even though he would work part time. His wife is much younger, does not work, and her health insurance will be 1K/mo.
His house is paid for, but the associated costs continue to rise, and his kids are grown and independent. Our parents are gone, and there is not anything tying him to the area. I am gently suggesting that he move to the Midwest or down south to a place where his money will stretch further.
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travelnut11
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Post by travelnut11 on May 12, 2017 15:07:19 GMT -5
We're a family of 5, right now, 6 within the next year if all goes well. I will have kids aged 0-13. What's this now? Did I miss an announcement?!
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on May 12, 2017 16:00:28 GMT -5
We're a family of 5, right now, 6 within the next year if all goes well. I will have kids aged 0-13. What's this now? Did I miss an announcement?! I posted on the "How much does it cost to be me?" thread. I saw Zib's house and raised her a surprise/oops and grad school. I'll know more Monday afternoon, after my OB appointment. I'm hoping I'll be far enough along that we'll be able to tell if the baby is viable and get a ETA. I'm over the shock now.
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formerroomate99
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Post by formerroomate99 on May 12, 2017 16:10:19 GMT -5
The right size of a house is really a function of how many people are there and how much stuff they CHOOSE to have. If you or your spouse are clotheshorses, then sharing a 4' closet would be unthinkable. But previous generations did just fine with that because clothes were more expensive.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 16:12:50 GMT -5
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Post by zibazinski on May 12, 2017 16:19:56 GMT -5
What's this now? Did I miss an announcement?! I posted on the "How much does it cost to be me?" thread. I saw Zib's house and raised her a surprise/oops and grad school. I'll know more Monday afternoon, after my OB appointment. I'm hoping I'll be far enough along that we'll be able to tell if the baby is viable and get a ETA. I'm over the shock now. I'm always getting one upped but in this case, awesome news!!
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travelnut11
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Joined: Feb 12, 2011 22:17:14 GMT -5
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Post by travelnut11 on May 12, 2017 16:39:09 GMT -5
Holy cow Gira! Congrats!
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TheOtherMe
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Joined: Dec 24, 2010 14:40:52 GMT -5
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Post by TheOtherMe on May 12, 2017 17:12:25 GMT -5
My house is too big for 1 person, 1 cat. It's 1800 sq ft with 3/2, 2 car garage and finished basement. The laundry room is on the main floor. There is a bathroom in the basement. I don't need the finished basement. I grew up with mom and dad and sister in 950 sq ft house. 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. We all survived. When I watch HGTV, I don't understand why every kid needs their own bathroom. It is so they can all brush their teeth at the same time! Because in the 2 hours between dinner and bedtime they can not find 1 minute each to brush their teeth using the same sink. Dad was gone to work by the time we got up. Mom was ready to go to work. Yes, my mom worked in the years of the SAHM days. We took baths in the evening so all my sister and I had to do was go to the bathroom and brush our teeth. We did it with 1 bathroom and every house in the neighborhood did also. If there was an issue, I can remember brushing my teeth at the kitchen sink and that didn't hurt me either. I stayed in the summer with cousins who didn't have running water and used an outhouse. Today's entitled children and many adults couldn't do that.
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ners
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Joined: Dec 23, 2010 16:21:18 GMT -5
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Post by ners on May 12, 2017 18:19:30 GMT -5
My house is too big for 1 person, 1 cat. It's 1800 sq ft with 3/2, 2 car garage and finished basement. The laundry room is on the main floor. There is a bathroom in the basement. I don't need the finished basement. I grew up with mom and dad and sister in 950 sq ft house. 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. We all survived. When I watch HGTV, I don't understand why every kid needs their own bathroom. It is so they can all brush their teeth at the same time! Because in the 2 hours between dinner and bedtime they can not find 1 minute each to brush their teeth using the same sink. No it is not the 2 hours between dinner and bedtime it is the morning. I grew up in a house that started with 3 bedrooms/3 baths. Lived with my parents grandmother and 5 siblings. Parents added a fourth bedroom. Even though there were 3 baths all toothbrushes were on the main floor. I can remember sitting in the hallway waiting to brush my teeth in the morning. There were times I as the oldest had my own bedroom because I had to leave for school so early. This happened by using basement as additional bedroom and after my grandmother passed away.Bedrooms shifted around a lot. 4 girls sharing one room, 2 boys sharing another, parents and grandmother. When we were adding the fourth bedroom my sister slept on 3 mattress in the shell and I slept on a mattress between my brothers beds. My father and one sister still live in the house.
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countrygirl2
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Post by countrygirl2 on May 12, 2017 21:44:52 GMT -5
Gira, I'm just curious, don't have to say if you don't want, but how old are you?
We are a family of 3, have 1800 sq ft upstairs, nice front porch, screened back porch. The 1800 sq ft in the basement. A 2 car oversized garage but only 2 full baths. There are 4 side rooms, and one room length of the house in the basement, they did not put a bathroom!!!! I want an upflush toilet and hubby doesn't want to spend the money. One is a mechanical room, furnace room/Christmas decorations. One a huge sewing room full, a separate room that can be a bedroom. The big one I want to partition off the ends for storage, that's what the ends are used for now. All the interior walls are drywalled but not finished out with doors or a ceiling. Hubby says why finish it, because if he will I will use it. Outside walls need insulated, in winter to cold for me even though I run a heater down there, the dog loves it. We also have a 60 inch TV and recliners there. I floored about 2/3's of it and want to finish it out.
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zibazinski
Community Leader
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Post by zibazinski on May 13, 2017 6:30:19 GMT -5
It is so they can all brush their teeth at the same time! Because in the 2 hours between dinner and bedtime they can not find 1 minute each to brush their teeth using the same sink. No it is not the 2 hours between dinner and bedtime it is the morning. I grew up in a house that started with 3 bedrooms/3 baths. Lived with my parents grandmother and 5 siblings. Parents added a fourth bedroom. Even though there were 3 baths all toothbrushes were on the main floor. I can remember sitting in the hallway waiting to brush my teeth in the morning. There were times I as the oldest had my own bedroom because I had to leave for school so early. This happened by using basement as additional bedroom and after my grandmother passed away.Bedrooms shifted around a lot. 4 girls sharing one room, 2 boys sharing another, parents and grandmother. When we were adding the fourth bedroom my sister slept on 3 mattress in the shell and I slept on a mattress between my brothers beds. My father and one sister still live in the house. My mom and aunts grew up in a one bathroom home. They all bathed or showered at night, sometimes even their dad did too. He had electricity in the detached garage and he put a mirror in it and shaved in the am. The only one who showered in the am was usually their mom. When you went to the bathroom in the morning you washed your face and got out asap. Teeth brushing was at the kitchen sink after breakfast because their mom was getting ready for work. 5 women and 1 man. Everyone did it then. Only the rich had more than one bathroom. I remember my MIL saying when they moved "up" it was wonderful to have a half bath extra.
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sesfw
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Today is the first day of the rest of my life
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Post by sesfw on May 13, 2017 13:07:34 GMT -5
Right now we have about 2K sq ft home, 3 bed/2 bath ranch in the desert in AZ. Two senior adults, one senior kitty, and no lawn to mow. One bedroom is ours, one an office, one my sewing/guest room. Living room, dining room combo that has the piano in it along with formal dining set. This is our 'front parlor' where the front door is. Kitchen/family room combo that we basically live in ..... TV, DHs computer he does museum work on ..... And we have a small den attached to the back with his Lionel set-up in ...... oh, and kitty has his meals there. Laundry room is a pass-through to the garage. The biggest thing wrong with this home is only a 2 car garage ......... need a 3 car garage. In Michigan DH and his deceased DW built a 3K, sq ft ....... 4 bed/3.5 bath home with a 3K basement ...... just two 58 yr olds in it. Downsizing was loads of fun ..... especially since DW was a shopaholic.
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Anne_in_VA
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Post by Anne_in_VA on May 13, 2017 14:01:55 GMT -5
DH and I live in a 1600 sf 3/2 ranch on a slab, so no basement. We also have a family room built onto the area behind the 1 car garage. When I was a kid we either lived in the projects or in a 2/1 house with my mom, stepdad, 2sisters and 1 brother. We all bathed at night and brushed our teeth at the kitchen sink. My older sister had her bed in the dining room area and my brother slept in his crib in moms room. It was really crowded.
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