Poll: What's your retirement house size?

[cyber888]

Thanks W2R, the builder claims that Santa Barbara is their most popular floor plan. I would not need the 11 x 11 flexi-room, so could cut that room out. They said they could customize everything. That would save me about $11K.

My vote is for the Santa Barbara, although I would ask them to put in a big shower instead of bathtub in the master bathroom. I love the fact that the laundry room is right next to the master suite. I don't love the fact that you wouldn't have enough left for the upgrades you might want.

The Cedar Spring and Eagles Nest don't have a garage, and I like having a garage.

The Blueridge is more than you wanted to spend, and the floor plan is not as appealing to me as the Santa Barbara's floor plan.

 

[karen1972]

I also love the Santa Barbara, but wish the owners suite was configured more like Pikes Peak..better closet and bathroom layout... then it would be perfect and I require a large shower as a must. I prefer my master on the opposite side of the house to the other bedrooms, I also like the way the kitchen is open to everything and if your getting rid of your flex room you can expand the kitchen and add cabinets.. win/win I also like dining area right next to the windows as I love to sit and soak up the sun in the morning, sipping coffee, overlooking my beautiful garden and the little critters enjoying it.

 

[Moemg]

I also vote for Santa Barbara . I would keep the flex room . It could be a small den or an exercise room.

 

[Fishingmn]

I like the Santa Barbara too.

My biggest problem is that I'm not sure that there's enough kitchen storage for what I would want. I cook a lot so have lots of food basics and cooking accessories. If you don't want the flex room maybe make a pantry behind where the fridge is on the plan and extend the front porch all the way across where the rest of the flex room is.

My other issue is the garage size. 21 x 20 would be fine for 1 car but that's really tight if you have 2. I have all my tools out there plus there's not really other storage space in this plan. Add in things like bikes and all the xmas stuff and there's no place to put it all (unless you just park in the driveway).

 

[Gone4Good]

Immediately after I left work we moved into a 35' motor home that may have had something like 275 sqf of living space. We've since downsized again and live in hotel rooms as small as 100 sqf but also rent apartments sometimes that might be as large as 1,000 sqf.

All of our stuff, though, has to fit in a couple of bags that we carry everywhere; each of which has the storage capacity of a 13 inch square box.

 

[W2R]

All of our stuff, though, has to fit in a couple of bags that we carry everywhere; each of which has the storage capacity of a 13 inch square box.

Wow! Impressive. I don't even think that 13" square box would be big enough to hold my winter coat, much less the rest of my clothes, bedding, and other possessions.

 

[ABQ2015]

I agree with the Santa Barbara with no flex room (to reduce price) because it has a garage and the master bedroom is in the back of the house for more privacy. Fishingmn, there is a pantry next to the flex room. I assume removing the flex room would not remove the pantry.

Given that you are on a budget, I don't see the need for 3 bedrooms and an office or flex room. The Blueridge has a garage but too many extra rooms and that huge laundry room that drive up the price. Also I don't like that funky long rectangular hallway in the middle of the house. Eagles Nest is just too small and no garage. Cedar Spring has no garage either and I can't tell which is the front and the back of the home. There is a foyer on one side and a porch on the other. I like the kitchen and master bedroom toward the back of the house and cannot tell where it is located on that model.

 

[LitGal]

Immediately after I left work we moved into a 35' motor home that may have had something like 275 sqf of living space. We've since downsized again and live in hotel rooms as small as 100 sqf but also rent apartments sometimes that might be as large as 1,000 sqf.

All of our stuff, though, has to fit in a couple of bags that we carry everywhere; each of which has the storage capacity of a 13 inch square box.

Wow! You are certainly an inspiration to those of us who are in the throes of downsizing. While I am priding myself in purging 3,000 sq. ft., to move into 1,700 sq. ft, you make it clear that one can still "get by" with far less.

So far, it has felt so good to get rid of stuff. Might it feel better to get rid of even more? Time for another trip to Salvation Army......... We'll see.

 

[Bamaman]

We currently live in 3,300 square feet backing up to a wooded ravine, 100 acre wilderness. We downsized 13 years ago after having two 4,000 square foot houses in major southern cities.

My wife was getting bored after being here 13 years, and started looking at foreclosed houses. We low balled Suntrust on a very large estate house 1/2 mile from us, but they wouldn't deal. Last week, a local credit union took our cash offer on 5,000 square feet--5 bedrooms and 5 full baths with 2 double car garages in a very exclusive neighborhood. The man cave downstairs is truly impressive--25' by 40' with a 10' ceiling.

If we choose to sell the house within 2 years, $100K profits would be expected. Now I've got to put my current home on the retail market to replace the cash I paid out on the new house.

We also have a 1800 square foot lake house that's worth far more than our new big house cost. It's the waterfront property that's so expensive in this retail market. And it's not bad having 2 Robert Trent Jones 18 hole golf courses on our street.

 

[Gone4Good]

Wow! Impressive. I don't even think that 13" square box would be big enough to hold my winter coat, much less the rest of my clothes, bedding, and other possessions.

Winter coats are tough . . . that's why I'm spending this winter in Mexico, last winter in South East Asia, and next winter in Australia, New Zealand, & Hawaii.

I do carry a down jacket that compresses to the size of a melon, though. That and a fleece constitutes my winter wardrobe.

 

[cyber888]

So Gone4Good ... if it was you, would you get the smaller house plan ?

Winter coats are tough . . . that's why I'm spending this winter in Mexico, last winter in South East Asia, and next winter in Australia, New Zealand, & Hawaii.

I do carry a down jacket that compresses to the size of a melon, though. That and a fleece constitutes my winter wardrobe.

 

[Gone4Good]

So Gone4Good ... if it was you, would you get the smaller house plan ?

I'm currently enjoying the "no house plan"

In all seriousness, though, each of the floor plans you're considering would be too much house for me. Back when we had a place it was a 1,000 sqf apartment in the city, which was all the space I ever want to have. I don't want extra bathrooms to clean, a yard to rake, or a driveway to shovel. And I want to walk everywhere I need to go.

That's my ideal pad. If anything, my idea of ideal has gotten smaller after living comfortably in a motorhome for 4 years.

You're looking at nice places, though!

 

[Nodak]

My 860 sq ft is just right, I don't want anything bigger than what I can clean in a day. I really hate housework.

 

[Fedup]

Winter coats are tough . . . that's why I'm spending this winter in Mexico, last winter in South East Asia, and next winter in Australia, New Zealand, & Hawaii.



I do carry a down jacket that compresses to the size of a melon, though. That and a fleece constitutes my winter wardrobe.

Do you have a blog to document your traveling?


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[REWahoo]

Do you have a blog to document your traveling?

You can find blogs by clicking the member's user name. Look for a link in the drop-down menu that says "Visit xxxxx's homepage"

 

[Dawg52]

Immediately after I left work we moved into a 35' motor home that may have had something like 275 sqf of living space. We've since downsized again and live in hotel rooms as small as 100 sqf but also rent apartments sometimes that might be as large as 1,000 sqf.

All of our stuff, though, has to fit in a couple of bags that we carry everywhere; each of which has the storage capacity of a 13 inch square box.

Interesting life style. If I were married and my wife was into this kind of life style, I could see doing it for a few years. Being single and roaming on my on for long periods of time, doubt it would be for me.

I'm really enjoying my new patio home. Just had a fence installed in my small backyard. Nice to be able to let the mutt out for a whiz w/o having to leash him. Got to get the weeds out of the beds and buy some mulch. The previous owner didn't put much effort into yard maintenance.

 

[Willers]

I'm reviving the thread, because I found the builder in my area who can build my 1700 - 1800 sq.ft. retirement home. If you were to choose, which floorplan would you prefer ? Thanks in advance for any inputs you can provide. My budget is about $200K-$210K (house with no land). The prices below don't have any upgrades. Upgrades may cost me around $40K-$50K (to add granite to kitchen, better flooring, possibly a covered porch)

1) Cedar Spring -1900 sq.ft. (can be reduced to 1800sqft) - $164K (no garage, 1 storey)

http://www.schumacherhomes.com/house-plans/car/cedar-springs/

To visualize pictures of the inside of this floor plan, click link below ... this is a similar plan (also an A-frame house), but a bit bigger and more expensive.
http://www.schumacherhomes.com/house-plans/car/pikes-peak/

2) Santa Barbara -1900 sq.ft (can be reduced to 1800sq) - $181K (has garage, 1 storey)
http://www.schumacherhomes.com/house-plans/car/santa-barbara-a/

3) Eagle's Nest - 1610 sq.ft (can be expanded to 1700 sq.ft) - $142K (no garage, has loft)
http://www.schumacherhomes.com/house-plans/car/eagle's-nest-a/

4) Blueridge - This is a bit more than I would like to spend, and can cut about 250 sq.ft.

http://www.schumacherhomes.com/house-plans/car/blue-ridge/

Which of the 4 do you guys like

I'm in the minority on this one. Pikes peak hands down for me. I lived in a house with a similar flow once and it was very livable. I'm also a sucker for an outdoor fireplace. Good luck with your choice!

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[Katsmeow]

I like the Santa Barbara plan the most with the flex room.

That said, I sure hope you have done lot of researching on Schumacher. They do not have the best reputation. If you haven't done so, you might want to do a search of Schumacher complaints.... Obviously, they may vary by location but I would sure look at it carefully.

 

[Ronstar]

For me, the Santa Barbara is the only plan that is close to acceptable. But it needs more garage space, a full basement, and eliminate the flex room.


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[cyber888]

Thanks Katsmeow. Yes, I did read some of the negative feedback for Schumacher. I was thinking of looking for a well-known local builders who may be able to work with me on a similar home plan.

I like the Santa Barbara plan the most with the flex room.

That said, I sure hope you have done lot of researching on Schumacher. They do not have the best reputation. If you haven't done so, you might want to do a search of Schumacher complaints.... Obviously, they may vary by location but I would sure look at it carefully.