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Half acre minimum — preferably .75+. I don’t like anything bigger than an acre due to maintenance/won’t use it all.
With established shrubs and trees I believe this is just enough space for privacy and a small buffer against hearing every pin drop from neighbors. There’s a huge difference between neighborhoods with .5 acre spacing and say those with 0.15 acre spacing. Too much land concerns me in regards to safety due to no one being able to keep an eye out.
When I’ve lived on half+ lots, weeks could pass where all I have is a passing glance of neighbors mowing the lawn or something.
I got an uneasy feeling in my stomach when I looked at homes with lots listed in square footage. At one home, I even saw a few neighbors arguing in the street - in what was a solidly middle class ‘hood in a good area.
So how do you folks on postage stamp lots deal with it? Do you just mentally train yourself to not notice your neighbors so much? I’d feel like 10 people could be watching me every time I go outside. Maybe 20 if I cut grass with my shirt off.
I had 6 acres for 20 years. I loved rural living, for most of those years. I simply got tired of working the land. Now, I'm a city dweller and thoroughly enjoy it. My neighbors and the neighborhood are wonderful. I notice my neighbors and could not care any less than I do if they "watch" me. It won't change a thing I do. When I'm outside, which is often, multiple neighbors stop and chat. It's enjoyable and relaxing. We help each other and watch out for each other. It's a good thing.
The old house is on a postage stamp lot. From my laundry room I can see into the neighbor's kitchen.
The new house is on .8 acre with block walls all around, fully landscaped. I know that in theory I have neighbors but I rarely hear or see them. The house is well-insulated and soundproofed, but I don't hear them outside, either. Being a little hard of hearing helps.
Lot size isn't everything... I had a .75 acre lot with my last house, and 5' spacing between my house and one to the right. I was almost on the road too, and it'd been that was since it was built in 1930. All of the lot was back yard, narrow and long.
So, if you want "spacing", look Further than just lot size. And yes, I understand that without the size, you can never have spacing.
Half acre minimum — preferably .75+. I don’t like anything bigger than an acre due to maintenance/won’t use it all.
With established shrubs and trees I believe this is just enough space for privacy and a small buffer against hearing every pin drop from neighbors. There’s a huge difference between neighborhoods with .5 acre spacing and say those with 0.15 acre spacing. Too much land concerns me in regards to safety due to no one being able to keep an eye out.
When I’ve lived on half+ lots, weeks could pass where all I have is a passing glance of neighbors mowing the lawn or something.
I got an uneasy feeling in my stomach when I looked at homes with lots listed in square footage. At one home, I even saw a few neighbors arguing in the street - in what was a solidly middle class ‘hood in a good area.
So how do you folks on postage stamp lots deal with it? Do you just mentally train yourself to not notice your neighbors so much? I’d feel like 10 people could be watching me every time I go outside. Maybe 20 if I cut grass with my shirt off.
I totally agree and share your minimal requirement of a full half acre with houses appropriately spaced and preferably with shrubs and landscaping as screens to minimize the view of adjacent houses!
I'm getting tired of having 3/4 an acre with mature trees. I spend several hours each week mowing then (if I get it done) another couple hours trimming. When it isn't mowing it is collecting leaves and pine needles Right now I am looking out at the yard knowing that I need to do leaves again next week. (Oaks drop leaves until mid January).
On top of that there is the cost of tree maintenance. About $1500 a year just in spray and feed and average about $1000 a year in trimming and pruning ( that comes in chunks every few years when I get a $3-5000 bill when the tree company takes over my yard for 3-5 days.
I'm looking at replacing fences now. My current fencing ranges from 16-30 years in age and I know I should bite the bullet and replace it all but am dreading the cost.
Don't get me wrong I love my house and yard but it does require work and investment.
My house was originally on 1/8 acre. But, the owner of the house to the north demolished it and--eventually--sold me the lot. So now I have 1/4 acre to work on.
When I just had the 1/8 acre, I used a reel mower. It was fun, and good exercise. But now I use a battery powered mower. Every spring and fall, I plant a few more perennials, and/or trees on that lot. So, I'm continually reducing the amount of grass I have to mow.
Maybe it's because my neighborhood was originally upscale, but our houses are relatively private, despite being 10' from each other. The windows and room functions are situated so that you can't see into the neighboring houses.
I have 0.21 acre lot on a private lane 200 feet off the street. All my neighbors have bigger lots so I get pretty good seclusion without having to pay the property taxes on a larger lot. The town values the land my house sits on at about $200k. Most of my neighbors pay twice the property tax on their bigger lots. It would be nice to have an acre but that would probably triple my property tax bill. As a recent retiree, it’s good to know that I won’t ever be taxed out of my house.
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