1-level or Multi-level (floor, phone, dining room, cleaning)

[LoveLivinNCities]

I prefer a big rancher no more than 3000sq/ft but over...say 1700 sq/ft. That way I dont feel as if i am always walking around the same area. But I have noticed that many would take the multi level house anyday. You?

[Driller1]

Originally Posted by LoveLivinNCities

I prefer a big rancher no more than 3000sq/ft but over...say 1700 sq/ft. That way I dont feel as if i am always walking around the same area. But I have noticed that many would take the multi level house anyday. You?

No. Some days a get SO sick of steps. I know when I get old I will REALLY hate it.

[misplaced1]

Funny because I'd rather have a 1 floor house for convenience but all the houses I love are 2 floor.

[rkb0305]

Originally Posted by LoveLivinNCities

I prefer a big rancher no more than 3000sq/ft but over...say 1700 sq/ft. That way I dont feel as if i am always walking around the same area. But I have noticed that many would take the multi level house anyday. You?

I think my favorite would be a about a 2500 sf ranch house. Unfortunately I currently live in a 2000 sf 2 story. The main floor feels small to me.

[Tek_Freek]

Originally Posted by Driller1

No. Some days a get SO sick of steps. I know when I get old I will REALLY hate it.

Yes, you will. Some days I just barely get up that set of 2000 steps I am required to struggle through while one of my hips (take your pick) is screaming at me, my knees sound like an unoiled door in a Vincent Price movie, and I want to move the bed to the dining room.

If you haven't guessed yet: Ranch.

[lawmom]

We have always lived in at least a 2 story house. One house we have is 4 levels -- the bottom and original level was a boat builder's shop, then they added a mutlilevel house on top. Talk about steep stairs.

We just moved into a one story, and I must say, it's a lot easier from a moving standpoint.

[The_Rational_Inquirer]

For room layout/esthetics: 3500 sf center hall colonial

For practicality, ease of movement, and efficient/easier cleaning: 2500 sf ranch

In either case the garage has GOT TO be at ground level, none of those awful basement-level garages please.

[The_Rational_Inquirer]

Originally Posted by Driller1

No. Some days a get SO sick of steps. I know when I get old I will REALLY hate it.

You definitely will, and probably sooner than you expect.

All is takes is one bad knee, and you can be 30something and have THAT happen.

[DKVA]

I think it all depends on your age and if you have kids living with you.

My last house was 3 floors. Master 1st floor, bedrooms 2nd floor and a game room with unfinished storage on the 3rd level. It was great the kids (older teenage) were on the 2nd floor. I did not have to listen to their tv, phone conversations,or friends late into the late or should I say early morning hours.

We have been relocated and our older kids did not move with us . We are now in a ranch with a walk out basement. Right now the basement it is not finished but will be for resale-kids or parents. I never go in the basement. For my husband and I we live on our main floor.

[plaidmom]

Originally Posted by DKVA

I think it all depends on your age and if you have kids living with you.

Also, what kind of house did you live in when you were a child?

I think that's part of it too. I'd be curious to see if people stay with what they know, or if the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

For me, mid 40s, West Coast born and bred, Two Story Brick houses---Tudors, Colonials etc--- are da' bomb. I am charmed by their classic house-ness. I used to draw these houses in my pre-K scribbles.

It's the polar opposite of the modern ranches of So Cal , where I was raised.
How odd is that?