Apartment or House?

I wouldn't object to single storey living except I dont like being surrounded by neighbours.

I hate communal spaces no matter how nice I can't relax in them .

So in a perfect world a neat single storey house without neighbours, a decent fenced garden to relax in privately, but on the edge of some woods or countryside where I could walk with my dogs.

The house we are renovating now is our very first one story house with a large yard ( by this area standard). It will be the smallest house we have ever owned at approx 2500sft. This will be our retirement home. The area is quiet and has many big trees which I like.

House, for all the reasons as above.

I've lived in this one-story home since 1992. I've considered some remodeling for aging in place, but there's too much to change. So, I'm looking to get another larger one-story home to live out my days. I have time. Hopefully, the housing market will have cooled off by then.

All these inspections!

Still once they are finished, you will have peace of mind over the house.

I want a one-story house... for now I'm stuck in a two-story.. and my joints already don't like it.

I wouldn't say an apartment is easier to clean perse, a lot depends on how much clutter you have, how many ornaments and what kind of flooring you have. The more soft furnishings the more dust there is likely to be.
I have four bedrooms one is used as my office and the other we sleep in so we have two guest rooms, these don't get cleaned every day , once a week quick flick through with a duster and run the hoover over the floor that's quite enough, our bedroom and my office get cleaned couple of times a week. But downstairs in the rooms that we use all the time like the living room dining room and kitchen are cleaned as we go day to day I hoover thoroughly three times a week and dust at the same time.
Hard floors such as wood and tile cut down on a lot of dirt and dust.

I can understand when you live alone flat can seem comforting cosy and enjoyable after all you have all of it for yourself. But when you're living as a couple or a family you really need the space, everybody needs a little peace and quiet from time to time and cluttered up in a small flat it just doesn't work.

Even so I do agree that my current house is a bit on the large side for just the two of us..
I hope our new house will be slightly smaller and hopefully a lot less windows, it takes me ages to clean all of these.

Every house I have lived in had been a one story house. No particular reason, it just worked out that way.

Cherry, why do you say that? Just curious.

I prefer a house. From the living side of things they are more me with the garden and space to breathe. At least some privacy. I have really lived in an apartment though but there do seem to be lots of additional legal issues which can and do dampen things. There are liabilities for allsorts as you don't own the land and there are additonal service and maintenance fees etc which can come out of the blue. In principle it should not be a problem but there has been much in the news lately with hiking of service charges and manditory safety work etc. Far less of an issue when you are renting an apartment as you can more readily move on and are generally isolated from the grief. Yes, perhaps as an ideal, to own an apartment at the seaside or other holiday place which is essentially maintained so needing less owner maintenance while having a house as main home. It won't happen though lol

If we moved now it would more likely be a bungalow as stairs may be a problem in future years but we have no plans at the moment.

Oh okay, it was an actual heating issue. I thought maybe you didn't like the atmosphere they created.

I love bungalows, too. Any one story property gets my vote.

I guess with apartment living, everyone is to their own. Houses CAN be wonderful, but for others such as yourselves. But I can very much appreciate where you're all coming from!

House,.maybe a bungalow..so my poor knees dont have to trudge upstairs.

Choosing a a property is not always about how pretty it is or how charming: it needs its practicalities.