Vulgaria

[Arc]

We spend a lot of time in our house so I want it to be as comfortable and nice as possible with some decent amenities. I'm all for the biggest and nicest house that we can afford - and be willing to maintain - provided the financial piece fits within the FI program. Currently in a nice custom house - with very convenient location to schools and shopping - and large, private back yard. Downsizing certainly may be an option in the ER years though.

 

[Moemg]

I don't want a McMansion but I do want decent square footage and the niceties. 1100 square feet would make me claustrophobic. I currently have 2200 and it's just right .It's elevated because I live on the water so the steps are my stair master. I 'll probably move at some point .Same size house just further from the water.Not downsizing but still saving a huge chunk of money .

 

[Khan]

When I see those monstrosities I imagine them surrounded by people with torches and pitchforks.

 

[happy2bretired]

My husband and I built our small 1300+ sq. foot home in 1999. It was the right size for the 3 of us. Now, that only my daughter and I live here, it's still the right size. After having my auction last weekend, for selling my husband's collections, I really feel like we have sooo much more room to spread out. We had storage area galore and now not much to store. I can't imagine that I will ever want to live in another house larger than what I have. I love my house even tho it's small by most standards.

 

[Achiever51]

I'm drawn to the designs of Sarah Susanka, author of "The Not So Big House". She is a residential architect who challenges the conventions of typical design with the proposition that we ought to design homes for the way people actually live, focusing on the quality of living environment rather than its quantity.

I agree. Her designs are beautiful and "fit" the occupants just right. Before reading her books, I wondered why I would sometimes feel overwhelmed just touring some of the huge cookie-cutter, mock McMansions in my area. Susanka's explanation of how people relate to their surroundings was right on target.

DH and I are looking for a home to downsize to that reflects Susanka's thinking. Like others on this thread, I'm finding it hard to find well designed, smaller homes with quality features that are close to the community amenities we'd like. We'll keep looking!

 

[Khan]

Another thing: with those huge vaulted 2 and 3 story ceilings, how do you keep the bottom level warm in areas with with cool/cold winters?

 

[Brat]

We have a vaulted living room, 2 stories high. There are vents in the ceiling than draw warm air down to floor registers. The home was designed by an architect, DH, for efficient heating and passive cooling.

The house looks very modest from the street, it is even hard to see from the water.

 

[Glo]

We will be downsizing as soon as our house sells (I should say "if"). We raised three boys in our 2100 sq ft home. When we move, we're looking for about 1000 to 1200 sq ft in the country on about 5 acres. I can't imagine wanting a McMansion; too much work and expense!

 

[Khan]

We have a vaulted living room, 2 stories high. There are vents in the ceiling than draw warm air down to floor registers. The home was designed by an architect, DH, for efficient heating and passive cooling.

The house looks very modest from the street, it is even hard to see from the water.

Excellent.

But I wonder if yours is in the minority.

 

[Brat]

Excellent.

But I wonder if yours is in the minority.

No denying that!! We designed our home for a lifetime and it was built by the best contractor in the area. DH shuttered at the construction practices of the spec builders in the area.

 

[Toejam]

My cousin, who is a very well-paid executive with a major company here in the Pacific Northwest, just completed building her custom-made house on Lake Sammamish about a year ago. It is 7,000 sq. feet (main floor, upper floor, and finished (liveable) basement. Attended her house-warming party last summer. It is a beautiful home and nicely furnished. For her and her family, which includes her husband and 2 young children, I think it is wonderful. I say, if a person can afford it and it suits their lifestyle, go for it!

I can't afford something like that and it wouldn't fit my lifestyle because I'm single, live alone, and don't need or want a lot of space. That's just more cleaning and maintenance for a rather lazy person like me. The house I live in is about 3,000 sq. feet, and I spend most of my time in about 1/3 of the house. I pay a gardener about $60 per month to mow my grass and edge the lawn; I am getting tired of regular maintenance like getting on a ladder and cleaning out the gutters, fertilizing the lawn, weeding, etc. I am not mechanically inclined, so even minor house repairs have to be done by paid professionals or handymen.

I think I would like to live in a square box (with self-cleaning windows and an indestructible roof) about 1,000 sq. feet that consists of a very large kitchen with a sitting/dining area, a bedroom, and bathroom. Parking space for 2 cars. Living room not necessary. No stairs. No lawn. Closest neighbor at least 1/4 mile away.

Maybe a large yurt will do.

 

[Sarah in SC]

Toejam, we're going to Mongolia next summer and are thinking of buying a ger (Mongolian yurt) to have shipped home! Put in your order before we go!
Sarah

 

[Toejam]

Toejam, we're going to Mongolia next summer and are thinking of buying a ger (Mongolian yurt) to have shipped home! Put in your order before we go!
Sarah

Hi Sarah:

Thanks for the offer. But after image googling "ger" and "Mongolian yurt", I decided to stay with a regular house, just one that's smaller and re-configured differently. The "gers" were a little too "basic" for me . . .

But your trip to Mongolia sure sounds exciting and very exotic! A rather unusual vacation destination. It'd be neat to hear about it after you return from your trip. I don't know anyone that's been there.

 

[mickeyd]

So called McMansions seem to be all the rage there days. One NBA player is building a house with a casino, barber shop and 2 floor closet and another NBA player is erecting a 50000sf monster that has an indoor basketball court and a water park (I guess that the water park is outdoors, but maybe not).

If you can afford it and it makes you feel fulfilled I say go for it. I'm ready to downsize from our 2200sf place to about half of that. Anyone want to buy my upstairs?