Post by Popcorn&Candy on Aug 31, 2021 5:14:59 GMT -5
In an ideal world, which would you choose?
I'd choose an apartment. I much, MUCH prefer living in an apartment than a house. This is because a house is full of things and you have to climb up and down stairs. It isn't right for me. No: I shall stick to apartment living.
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.
I've always lived in a house and love lots of land around me. I don't own as much land here in Florida as I did in New Hampshire but at least my back borders on conservation land and it's almost like having my own private playground. I very rarely see anyone back there.
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.
I prefer houses. I can't stand all the noise that comes with people living above my head or stomping around right outside the door to get to their apartment at odd hours. Not that having neighbors is quiet in general (especially my neighbors)... but still overall better.
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.
Post by TestDummyCO on Aug 31, 2021 21:26:18 GMT -5
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.
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.
Annie, how are the renovations coming?
Hopefully we can move in in November Karen, tomorrow is the drywall inspection. I wasn't aware of such a thing, but yup, city did inspect drywall.
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.
I want a one-story house... for now I'm stuck in a two-story.. and my joints already don't like it.
Post by Popcorn&Candy on Sept 1, 2021 9:20:55 GMT -5
Apartments are easier to clean - and keep clean - too.
Today it took me less than two hours to do a thorough clean. I cleaned my bathroom, my kitchen, I hoovered, I put on a load of laundry, I took out the rubbish, I dusted... If I lived in a house it would mean hoovering 4 or more rooms instead of the floor space I have. It would also mean struggling terribly to declutter.
This brings me to my other point: living in a smaller space means you are more aware of dust and clutter. You really have to keep on top of it. I dust every single week: and other dusting jobs in a few times weekly. I also have to regularly assess my objects and make the difficult - yet vital - decision to throw them out.
Also: you can't hide in an apartment, so you're less likely to be housebound. If I lived in a house, I'd never go out. My apartment forces me to go out into the world and face my fears.
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.
Also: you can't hide in an apartment, so you're less likely to be housebound. If I lived in a house, I'd never go out. My apartment forces me to go out into the world and face my fears.
Just a few points.
Do you really mean that? What is it that frightens you so much outside?
Even though I live in a large house I still love the outdoors we make sure we walk about 10 km every single day just today we walked in the woods saw some wonderful sights I can't imagine being stuck inside all day even in a large house.
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.
I want a one-story house... for now I'm stuck in a two-story.. and my joints already don't like it.
Every house I have lived in had been a one story house. No particular reason, it just worked out that way.
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.
I remember after my husband and I got married, we stayed in a 4 bed/4ba apartment while waiting for our house to be renovated. Those 6 weeks were terrible. Teenagers were in the pool until 11 then couple made out at midnight, I could hear all the moanings and screamings. I practically got out in the balcony yelling "shut up". That's it, no more apartment for me.
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.
Post by Popcorn&Candy on Sept 3, 2021 7:47:26 GMT -5
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!
Post by Rebecca Jo on Sept 6, 2021 10:48:17 GMT -5
Our townhouse is a bit annoying to cool off upstairs, so I'd enjoy a single-story house for that reason. It's been convenient to have stairs to use for exercise, but I'm sure I'd come up with an alternative if we were in a rancher-style house and couldn't get outdoors to exercise.
I keep a simple cleaning schedule for the regular items that have to be done in our place, so that it doesn't end up put off till one day of massive cleaning (and by the mother only LOL). Hoping to get the kids to take over a bit more this school year - checking the list for themselves rather than having me do it and remind everyone what needs to go on the agenda...
Post by Popcorn&Candy on Sept 29, 2021 7:08:27 GMT -5
I couldn't live in a townhouse with all those stairs. As for a block of flats: there'd be a lift so there would be no problem. I could NOT handle living with all those stairs: no matter how beautiful the townhouse. I tend to be more practical when it comes to properties. There are so many points to consider:
1. Is there a lift? 2. If not, how many flights of stairs are there? 3. What cleaning routine is needed? 4. Is it too much to keep clean, if you can't afford a cleaner? 5. Is there a garden? 6. If there is, how do you maintain it? 7. Is the bathroom efficient and easy to use? 8. What is the location of the property like? Its neighbourhood? 9. Is the property in a flood area? 10. If it is next to a busy road/railtrack, is this viable for you? 11. What are the public transport links? 12. Is there a parking space available for your car? 13. Is there a service charge? Could you afford it? 14. How near/far is the property from your workplace? 15. Are you able to keep your pets?
My new construction is an one story of 4 bed/3ba with 2 great rooms, one with my piano and the other one will also serve as my husband's home office, both with fireplace. We will have a large yard that I have an ambitious but simple plan for. Sounds enjoyable but the journey there is very painful. I am hoping we can move in before the end of the year. I should be able to tell in the next two weeks.
Choosing a a property is not always about how pretty it is or how charming: it needs its practicalities.
Practical yes but my husband has a rule and its simple. No matter where you have been you should always turn the corner and feel happy with that first sight of home.