[sheena12]

After this Christmas without family, I can't imagine living the rest of my life in Ohio. We all felt it was unsafe for my son to visit this year. Christmas was quiet and pleasant enough, but I can't do this forever.

The trip from OH to VT is a haul. It's not as though he's in Boston. With a connecting airport, although he's flown home from Logan before. It's expensive and not an easy trip.

It seems that our tenure as Midwesterners will be coming to an end. We know we want to sell this house, the steep stairs are getting to us. There are ranches in Ohio, but my best friends are in the Northeast.

Our son is buying a typical New England older, pre-WWII home in Brattleboro, so we know that he's there for the long haul.

Where are we most likely to find smaller, ranch or raised ranch homes? Splits are OK also. Less steps. Less steep. All three styles are likely to have a master bath, which would also be convenient. A finished basement with a bathroom - at least half, would be great for hanging out with the dogs. We have Three dogs a Jack Russel Mix, a mini Dachshund, and a 35 lb. Black Mouth Cur. We also have an indoor cat.

I am thinking that condo life might be good, but my husband thinks most condos won't take us with so many animals. They are part of our family.

Am I looking for something that doesn't exist in Southern VT? I realize these home styles are "suburban" by nature. Is there a border state that is not further than an hour away that would better suit our needs?

Thanks for your help.

[squarpeg]

There are ranch houses in Brattleboro. Have you looked at available listings? You will find ranch style homes sprinkled throughout VT. My neighbor has one. They were probably only built during the 60's or 70's when they were popular. Generally I associate them with tract housing or developments which I think they were a popular choice for. Vermont doesn't have a lot of that type of development and the design itself with low pitched roofs and generally large single story design is probably not ideal for Vermont winters and heating. That said, there are quite a lot of single story homes though. Not positive what the exact definition of a ranch is. There are a lot of modular homes around. I am not knowledgeable on them other to say I have had friends with new ones which had full basements, attached garages, porches and were really nice inside. Perhaps something like that would meet your requirements.

[atypicalLIer]

Originally Posted by sheena12

After this Christmas without family, I can't imagine living the rest of my life in Ohio. We all felt it was unsafe for my son to visit this year. Christmas was quiet and pleasant enough, but I can't do this forever.

The trip from OH to VT is a haul. It's not as though he's in Boston. With a connecting airport, although he's flown home from Logan before. It's expensive and not an easy trip.

It seems that our tenure as Midwesterners will be coming to an end. We know we want to sell this house, the steep stairs are getting to us. There are ranches in Ohio, but my best friends are in the Northeast.

Our son is buying a typical New England older, pre-WWII home in Brattleboro, so we know that he's there for the long haul.

Where are we most likely to find smaller, ranch or raised ranch homes? Splits are OK also. Less steps. Less steep. All three styles are likely to have a master bath, which would also be convenient. A finished basement with a bathroom - at least half, would be great for hanging out with the dogs. We have Three dogs a Jack Russel Mix, a mini Dachshund, and a 35 lb. Black Mouth Cur. We also have an indoor cat.

I am thinking that condo life might be good, but my husband thinks most condos won't take us with so many animals. They are part of our family.

Am I looking for something that doesn't exist in Southern VT? I realize these home styles are "suburban" by nature. Is there a border state that is not further than an hour away that would better suit our needs?

Thanks for your help.

I've been looking for something with fewer steps. I saw this in Spofford, NH (not far from Brattleboro). Ticked off the ranch box. Needs work. Has a basement and garage, but the front steps are ridiculous and hideous.


https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...2_M39784-23471

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by atypicalLIer

I've been looking for something with fewer steps. I saw this in Spofford, NH (not far from Brattleboro). Ticked off the ranch box. Needs work. Has a basement and garage, but the front steps are ridiculous and hideous.


https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...2_M39784-23471

It's nice but I do agree that it needs a bit of work.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by squarpeg

There are ranch houses in Brattleboro. Have you looked at available listings? You will find ranch style homes sprinkled throughout VT. My neighbor has one. They were probably only built during the 60's or 70's when they were popular. Generally I associate them with tract housing or developments which I think they were a popular choice for. Vermont doesn't have a lot of that type of development and the design itself with low pitched roofs and generally large single story design is probably not ideal for Vermont winters and heating. That said, there are quite a lot of single story homes though. Not positive what the exact definition of a ranch is. There are a lot of modular homes around. I am not knowledgeable on them other to say I have had friends with new ones which had full basements, attached garages, porches and were really nice inside. Perhaps something like that would meet your requirements.

Seriously? WHERE? I haven't seen many ranch homes in Bratt. More in North Bennington.

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by squarpeg

There are ranch houses in Brattleboro. Have you looked at available listings? You will find ranch style homes sprinkled throughout VT. My neighbor has one. They were probably only built during the 60's or 70's when they were popular. Generally I associate them with tract housing or developments which I think they were a popular choice for. Vermont doesn't have a lot of that type of development and the design itself with low pitched roofs and generally large single story design is probably not ideal for Vermont winters and heating. That said, there are quite a lot of single story homes though. Not positive what the exact definition of a ranch is. There are a lot of modular homes around. I am not knowledgeable on them other to say I have had friends with new ones which had full basements, attached garages, porches and were really nice inside. Perhaps something like that would meet your requirements.

Sure I have! But in our price range, they need work. OR - have one bath - OR no finished basement. I am open to modular homes - (not mobile) We want a house with its' own land.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by sheena12

Sure I have! But in our price range, they need work. OR - have one bath - OR no finished basement. I am open to modular homes - (not mobile) We want a house with its' own land.

What is your price range? What are you willing to pay in property taxes?

[squarpeg]

Well I am not sure exactly what you need at what price. Brattleboro housing market has been tight with this Covid as people from the cities have been buying homes in the country. A quick search on zillow does turn up quite a number of single level homes in various price points.

https://www.zillow.com/brattleboro-v...oom%22%3A12%7D

[squarpeg]

I used to drive a cab in Brattleboro, so if you find something, I can probably tell you what the neighborhood is like right around it.

[Judder]

Lots of ranch houses in the Bennington area. The urban COVID refugees only seem to want large houses with acreage, so you probably won’t have to deal with the bidding wars from the wealthy folk coming from the cities.