Too much house! Did you plan appropriately going into retirement? (55, move)
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We have 2800 sf under HVAC (also additional sf under covered front and back porches). One story. And I think it's just about right. For us. At least the way we set it up. Main living area (living room/kitchen/dining room). Separate laundry room. Four bedrooms - three baths. We use one bedroom as the master - two as "home offices" - and the fourth as a guest room. Lots of storage (including a great walk-in pantry). Guess we could do without the third bathroom and the guest room bedroom now (we don't have many guests these days) - but it's not too much "extra". And we could possibly use those rooms for "live in help" down the road if we needed that kind of help.
Note that we don't have a basement or usable attic space. So we don't have areas to accumulate unused "out of sight out of mind" stuff. We do have a 3 car garage - but it is relatively empty (especially empty since we got a little water intrusion in the garage during Hurricane Matthew - and used it as an opportunity to get rid of things we knew we'd never use again).
The only thing we do have too much of is land - about 3/4 acre. Could do with less. Especially now that we're older (69/71) and can't take care of it ourselves. For that matter - it would be tough for us to take care of the house 100% by ourselves (we do have a once a week housekeeper and an occasional home handyman). I think the bigger you go - the more you have to anticipate relying on outside help as you get older (paying for it too). Robyn
We have no kids and have lived in a 3,000 sq ft home most of our lives. We are building a 2,100 sq ft house in Wi and have a 2,400 sq ft house in FL for winters (have owned for years). We could do smaller but have a ton of guests (mostly family) in both states.
We use a cleaning service once a month for deep cleaning and lawn service in FL. Virtually no outside maintenance in WI. We don't see the upkeep as a big deal. We are both low to mid 60's. Later, when it becomes an issue we will sell one.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reneeh63
It looks like many who want to keep the extra space (and bedrooms) anticipate lots of visitors.
Of course around the holidays that's expected....but other than a couple weeks at the end of the year, has anyone found they don't have nearly as much "company" ( or at least visitors that actually stay with them) as originally anticipated? In other words, was it more wishful thinking on your part that the kids and friends would visit or has it panned out to the degree expected?
Besides the holidays we have the grand kids sleep over often, and with the different ages can give them each their own room. One has a crib, in addition to a bed for older guests.
House we just sold in June was 2300ish sq ft, fully reno'd brick and stone ranch with an attached three car garage. Area will get about 3 ft of snow all winter season and has good medical with access to great medical at U of Mich and Cleveland Clinic.
House we bought in June is 2400ish sq ft, needs lotsa work 3 floor Victorian with a non attached garage. Aea will get about 15 ft of snow this winter and medical is adequate, but good medical will be 150 miles away.
Believe it or not, we actually thought this through. We are Yoopers in our soul and needed to get back up north.
Our 4600' house was too big and we just sold it. Moved into a 1250' that we already owned and completely renovated ( think HGTV on steroids). It suits us for now and have been traveling the last year but may upsize in the future to 2000' or so.
Usually I think this 2400 SF is just right and my large yard is just right (have no dea what the actual size is). BUT - spring and summer is when I think it's way past the time to unload this, which I will. I have so many trees and now I notice 2 pines, which were probably here before the house was built in 1960, look really bad so they must come down. This is when I start to think about a smaller house on a much smaller lot with 1 tree.
I would never have more house than I need to save other people hotel costs.
Only one poster mentioned a basement. 3000 sq ft with a basement is much different than 3000 sq ft and no basement. Usable space matters, basement, attic, storage space in garage besides the car spaces. A 2000 sq ft ranch with a 2000 sq ft basement and a 2000 sq ft attic is a lot of room.
I got over house proud years ago. Now it is where I sleep and keep my stuff. Nothing more.
I think 3000 square feet is just right for my family. I like the extra space. We don't feel hemmed in.
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