BellBarbara
Recycles dryer sheets
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2010
- Messages
- 392
We are really involved with two granddaughters as well. Plus my son got divorced so the 3 of them come every other weekend. We love it, and glad we have the space.
Has anyone ever bought two small houses side by side? I was toying with the idea of retiring to two homes, using one as an art studio/office while living in the first house. When we get tired of being creative (or too old to make a big art studio necessary), we could sell or rent the 2nd house and not have to actually downsize or move house.
We currently have a 3600 sq ft house, and use 1/3rd of it for studio space but would like more. The living space is very spacious and we could live in less. So buying two houses that were, say 1600-1800 sq ft, side by side, might work well. In Albuquerque, some of the newer energy efficient houses are going for around $180-220K, and our current home on an acre is worth around $600K. Just a thought.
We are moving but instead of downsizing, we upsized to a property double the size of what we've lived in for the past 30 years.
Rather than trying to part with all the stuff with all the memories, we decided to take them all with us, and have room for lots of freinds and family to visit us.
To each their own, I can see the reasons for each - but I can't help noticing that your choice seems oddly inconsistent with your screen name!
-ERD50
As to Thoreau, while he lived in a very very simple place, its his simple intellectual view, imo, that is significant about his work. When you pare down life to the most essential qualities, and then you provide circumstances to respond to those most essetnial qualities, then you are doing what Thoreau meant even if you are not actually immitating him. When its all said and done, for us, the only reality is people, and people interactions, and friends and family. This dwelling will allow us to maximize friendships, have a place for friends to get together with us, and to socialize with as many people as we can.
As to Thoreau, while he lived in a very very simple place, its his simple intellectual view, imo, that is significant about his work. ...
Sometimes I wonder about becoming one of those red-orange robed monks and renouncing all worldly possessions. It would really free me. But in the US I might have a few problems out there.