Living in a smaller house

[tinapbeana]

well, room dimensions have changed with time, and high ceilings (at least in the south) had a lot to do with keeping a room cooler in the summer... same thing with doors that don't go all the way up to that high ceiling, the hot air doesn't move from room to room...

rooms used to have a slightly bigger sqft footprint to accomodate armoirs and chiffarobes like syracusa described, as opposed to having closets. bigger houses were made even bigger still by the need to have servent quarters/entrances/stairwells, etc...

all in all i find the history of residential architecture too darn interesting and almost as addictive as office supplies

[JanH]

My grandmother inherited HALF of the parlor rug among other things. Half a rug was the same size as one of my grandmother's bedrooms. I can't imagine how big just the parlor was in great grandmother's house! The room also contained a player piano. My mother was offered it, but it wouldn't fit into our mucho smaller house. My mother does have the large bedroom set. The bed is stored cos the headboard is too tall for modern ceilings. And don't get me started on how many dining pieces there are running around from there.

[MonkeyMama]

I really see both sides of the coin here.

I wanted to add that the reason we ended up with a larger house was not at all because we wanted a super large house. Frankly, my husband just wanted a dedicated theatre room and so we shopped for that perfect bonus room and bought the house that came with it - pretty much. BAsements are a rare find in Cali. Unheard of in the area we live. IT is a major flood risk area I imagine is why - ??? A basement would have done just fine.

We have been house shopping - wanting to get into an older neighborhood. But we have looked at smaller things that would fit us great and bigger houses that felt smaller. That aspect amazed me because I Feel our house is rather excessive and wastes a lot of space. But I appreciate now we knew what we are doing after looking at so many older houses that waste even more space. Layout IS everything.

One day when we move out of Cali altogether or win the lottery we will build that perfect custom home - I doubt it will be more than 2000 sf and it will have A LOT. Just pointing out I guess we bought more for some leisure things than needing a lot of living space. We have been looking at much more modest homes with oversized garages we could convert part of to a theatre room, etc. Anyway, we have a big house but there is nothing flashy about our lifestlye. Except our house I guess, which we actually downgraded to from our way overpriced condo in the SF area. HEy it was even cheaper than out super small space - another reason - we were just in awe of our buying power when we moved.

Frankly I had quite the attitide towards our neighbors that they must all be snooty to buy such big houses, but most of them are pretty darn frugal. So many from the Bay Area too, like us, just were in awe with buying power. Most of us are just grateful we can afford a home - any home. So our neighborhood really buck the assumptions of who buys big houses. We chose a newer house for many reasons - there are a lot of advantages. Roof is warranted for 50 years, has the most updated technology, so energy efficient, etc. I do not agree newer is subpar in the least. I do feel they slapped up the house pretty quick - yes - BUT we have been looking at a lot of older homes and frankly we can't afford the upkeep. Or the energy bills!

On the flip side, I have mentioned how amazed I Was at the 20-something crowd around here and their sense of entitlement. This area was pretty affordable until the last few years housing prices have almost tripled. I know a few 22-year-olds around here who grew up here and feel entitled to a McMAnsion. It is the ultimate status symbol I guess, but that everyone is entitled to???? I had a friend going into debt over renting a 3000 sf house she could not afford. Not even a college degree between her and her hubby - 2 small kids - but they were killing themselves for a McMansion. Sge was 22!!!!!! We have all talked how crazy real estate is and I mentioned many times to friends to start out with a small house, or a condo, and move up. OR just move out of the area entirely. They all look at me like I Am crazy to suggest these things though the only reason we have such a nice house is we did those 2 things. I find this more and more because frankly we have the fanciest house of anyone we know. What no one else understands is that our mortgage is lower than any rent they are paying. To them we are just *rich.* Ack!!! Frankly I don't have the heart to tell them their rent is $500 more per month for their small house than my mortgage is. Plus I geta tax break. This is a long way to say - yeah - BIG is *in* when it comes to houses, particularly for the young generation. And apparently needed when you are 20 or so. I guess it all makes me sick because I grew up where owning a 2-bedroom fixxer upper by the train tracks was not anywhere near our price range ($500k+). So you kind of freak out when people have much more affordable housing at their fingertips but are letting it go because all they can afford is a 3-bedroom house in a great neighborhood, and that is not good enough. Coming from my background I just want to smack them!

It is all relative, eh?

[dossin1]

We have 1350 sq ft and it feels cramped for the four of us. I wouldn't mind moving up to about 2000. The picture of the house shown on the website looked like a tool shed, I can't see anyone with a family wanting to live there, but to each his own.

[Elgin526]

My home is 1300 sqft and I think it's fine for up to 4 people. More than that, and I think it would be a bit crowded! We do have a full basement and the yard, while small, is large enough for a couple of kids to play in. I do wish my kitchen was a smidge bigger, and the upstairs is a bit small. Our house is a Cape Code, so the upstairs has a smaller floor plan than the down stairs. Three bedrooms and a full (but small!) bath in an area meant for two bedrooms only! There is a dormer off the back, but still the upstairs is tiny!

We do have a ton of closets though. I have 7 downstairs plus one in each bedroom upstairs plus the linen closet in the bathroom. Also two of the bedrooms have access to the attic through the back of the closets that's good for long term storage. It's a pack rats dream, I'm telling you!

[nanamom]

I have often driven past some of those huge houses and wondered,
A. How on earth do they keep them neat much less clean (I guess if you can afford it you can afford a maid?)
B. What do you keep in 5 or 6 garages?
After all if you work and your DS works to afford that lifestyle when do you have time to live in it?

[tinapbeana]

all this talk about mcmansions got me going down memory lane!

1. i dated a guy in college who's folks were, um, well off. he a patent lawyer, she an international sales rep for the makers of prozac. they had a ginormous house with a 4(5?) car garage, his & her porsches, and i think i counted 7 different seating areas (i.e. what one might call a den, or living room). they had a theater room complete with ticket booth. why is this funny? cause they bought their beer (heineken) at Sams in bulk cases. picture the gigantic flatbed carts at sams, and that's what they would haul beer around in. In fact, sams had a limit on how much beer any 1 person could buy, so he and she would each get their own cart and check out separately so they could buy double the limit of beer. ACK!

2. one of the customers at the cigar store has a cheesy mcmansion w/ 18 ft ceilings in the foyer, and a light fixture right at the top. my folks went over for a party one night and my mom mentioned that it must be a pain to clean the light in the foyer, and the customer said "Oh, that's Maria's job (meaning the maid)". My mom looked at him like he was nuts and said something to the effect that not everyone can afford a maid and therefore she must be the Maria for their house. Now when she does work around the house she says todya is her day to be Maria the maid, Jorge the gardener, Pepe the pool boy, etc! *g*

[MoneyHoney]

If you're looking for a smaller home, check out the article on "Katrina Cottages" featured on the MSN website today.
http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Art...09895&GT1=8800

These homes are generating quite a bit of interest across the country. I know if they become available in my area, I'd seriously consider one.

[rduell]

We own a 1900 square foot Victorian. For the 7 of us, it's about the right size. When all the kids are gone though I would like to down-size so there's not so much cleaning to try to keep up with all the time.

[cschin4]

Our house is 2700 sq. ft and there are 5 of us. I have thought of "downsizing' but I would pay as much today for house half the size as I did 5 yrs ago so it doesn't make alot of sense to move to a smaller, older home. Our home was completely remodeled from top to bottom before we bought it so our maintenance on this house has been very little. And, since it was remodeled it was well insulated, new windows, etc so I don't think the heating/cooling costs are significantly different than a smaller, older home. It is alot to clean and I would not want to live here after the kids grow up. But, it is nice to have so much space at this point.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

syracusa, if you would happen to have any photos of family or friends that also show interiors of small homes that make good use of space and are pleasing to look at, would you mind posting them? I am really curious about it. This is something I have asked others about before, as I want to know how people in other parts of the world live comfortably in small spaces.

[JanH]

Originally Posted by JanH

The only thing I really had a problem with in syracusa's post was the definition of "art." I for one, don't feel that spending tons of money on some paint on a piece of canvas practical. And some of what I see in museums doesn't qualify as "art" to me. Although, I do like a lot of beautiful paintings. I don't have pictures of the kids on the walls or even in my wallet, but I reserve the right to do so if that is "art" to me. Every person's taste is their own, whether art or decor. They are the ones who live with and enjoy it each day.
Sorry for the "rant," but for some reason that bugged me a bit.

I think I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Sorry about the rant. But I do know some really great people who live in large houses. I do think many houses have gotten huge and a lot of the space perhaps unnecessary, but to put down people based on their houses is like putting down people based on being poor. You need to base things on their character and generosity of spirit.

[ren]

You know, I look at the McMansions around here and just can't understand why anyone would want a ridiculously large house on a lot the size of a postage stamp. Man, I don't even want to think what it would cost to keep one of those places cool during a Sacramento summer.

MoneyHoney, if you like the Katrina cottages, you might want to look at Tumbleweed Tiny Houses. Scroll down a bit for the roomier (a.k.a. 500 sq ft) models. I'm rather in love with the B-52 Bungalow.

[Cheetahwoman7]

My house is about 950 sq.ft. It's 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, living room, dining room and kitchen. There's a tiny wash house off the porch and a 1 1/2 car detached garage. It was built in 1927 and has lathe and plaster walls. The living room and dining room are coved near the top with a small raised panel for the ceiling.

I've done much work on this house and it's still not done. Bit by bit, it will get there. It now has new, upgraded electrical; all copper plumbing; custom built kitchen cabinets; and the entire outside has been restuccoed in colored stucco so it will never have to be painted again.

I looked at A LOT of houses before I decided on this one. Even though it's small, it has a great layout that makes it feel some what spacious. Personally, I think layout is the most important part of a small house. I walked into some that made me feel like I was entering a cave. This one had plenty of light/windows and just welcomes you when you walk in the door.

CJ

[tabbycat31]

I see both sides of things. One thing that I will not compromise is that kids should have their own bedrooms. I always had my own bedroom, and had I shared with my sister, one of us would not be around today. I always wanted my privacy, and she always had no fewer than 4 friends in her room at a time.

I value the concept of privacy

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by tabbycat31

I see both sides of things. One thing that I will not compromise is that kids should have their own bedrooms. I always had my own bedroom, and had I shared with my sister, one of us would not be around today. I always wanted my privacy, and she always had no fewer than 4 friends in her room at a time.

I value the concept of privacy

i have no kids so this is just based on my own personal history: i enjoyed sharing a room with my sister until i hit what is now known as the 'tween' years. i guess 10, 11? until then, we were each other's best friend and sharing a room was cool. after that, we, um, got physically violent *sheepish grin* things were much better when we got our own rooms at 12 and 10!

[tabbycat31]

my sister and I were physically violent towards each other since day one (I told my mother to "throw the baby in the trash" at the age of 2)

As soon as she was about 8, there were always large groups of people in her room at all times. I could never have put up with that (I am a very private person and I always was in my room with the door closed, doing something quiet like reading).

It could work for some people, but we were so violent towards each other, that one of us would be 6 feet under had my parents made us share a room for more than say a week

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by MoneyHoney

If you're looking for a smaller home, check out the article on "Katrina Cottages" featured on the MSN website today.
http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Art...09895&GT1=8800

These homes are generating quite a bit of interest across the country. I know if they become available in my area, I'd seriously consider one.

Wow, less than $50k! I like that!

[LuxLiving]

We have 1560 square feet upstairs, 1000 square foot basement and 1000 square foot walk in 2 room attic, older house built in 1942 - the additional 560 square feet on the main living floor is an added on slab that my living room and foyer sits upon. 5 sheds/barns on the grounds. One is a playhouse, one is my gardening shed, one holds the lawnmowers and extra lawn chairs, one holds the riding mowers and excess lumber goods and the other is just a chicken shack that I can let Broken Arrow have for $25 a month.

We bought this house because it was a fixer up that we could afford. All the other houses this size that had been 'kept up' were so over our price range that it was laughable and I was 'afeared we had sold our home and would have to move into a house trailer as prices were skyrocketing at the time. We also lucked into it that it sits on 2 1/2 acres. I've lived in a trailer before but I'd rather not do it again unless it's me by myself and then it will be a travel trailer or small vanlike rv!

I did MONTHS of daily house shopping, driving miles and miles trying to find a decent home that we could afford that fit w/my desires. My desire was to own the last house on a dead end road! I too am into privacy having grown up on 900 acres that we lived in the middle of and then marrying and living 3 feet from the nearest neighbor drove me willified! That house we moved from was 880 sq. feet w/2 bedrooms and a detached one car garage.

Now then here - we have since started finishing out the basement which was near-on to a cave when we got here and the grounds were a jungle in overgrown poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. We have worked HARD & loved it into better shape. Since it was built and added onto twice it is a bit of a maze but it has character.

Which suits me great as I hate all those brick two story houses that sit side by side looking like something a cookie cutter shot out it's behind. UGGGH!! My sincerest sympathies if you live in something like that but how could you???? Do you have no sense of personal style???? No individuality???????? I hate 'em!!! I wouldn't like getting lost coming into my own neighborhood because I couldn't differentiate my home from the other three hundred in the rabbit warren!!

I have brightly painted walls Gruntina - SUNNY yellow, Vibrant Orange, and a muted Grape!! It's purty!! I have large paintings Syracusa. I have not enough closets and some of the rooms have no doors on the closets yet and CashHappySon's room has no door to the room itself. It's big enough but no McMansion. Basement contains my library and my pantry, a hidey-hole room (bad weather) w/a wet sink and my freezer and The Hubster's stuff that would normally be in a garage because we don't have one - there was one here once in the basement area it looks like but no more. Best of all is my itty bitty sunroom! Love it!!

FrugalSon and CashHappySon shared a room at the old house and I suppose both would be dead by now as I would've killed them myself - they were always at each other's throats because they have very different personalities and one's a neatnick and the other a slob. OMG - they were awful when sharing a room!!!

[PRICEPLUS]

Maybe another answer is to buy a condo or coop when in search of a smaller living space and skip the small house altogether!