People want smaller and smaller houses

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
It seems everyone is trying to downsize these days and moving into smaller and smaller houses, then find themselves using the garage as an extra room while their car sits out in the driveway.
 

True. Storage space. I found that out when I moved into an apartment. Why bring all that stuff over with you if you are never going to use it.

Downsizing with guts is what it takes. Stuff that is too good to throw away and to useless to keep.

So you store it.
 
I have given away a lot of stuff. I am going to keep things that I really like and feel a connection with. If I haven't used something in the last 12 months, then I don't need it. I won't throw away books and the library has been gifted with all they can use from me. A former co-worker who struggles with trying to raise her son has been gifted with duplicate kitchen stuff, towels, knick nacks, candleholders, etc that she has sold at garage sales and given to her family and friends in need. I have given things away on free cycle. I would rather give things to people that can use them than throw away. Just found out that the Salvation Army will pickup if you have a lot of stuff. Goodbye extra t,v's, vcr, books and clothes not worn in 6 months. I don't need stuff. Kids have been instructed to not give me anything that needs dusting. Just gift cards I can use for necessities. Keep what I need and use, share the rest.
 

debodun said:
It seems everyone is trying to downsize these days and moving into smaller and smaller houses, then find themselves using the garage as an extra room while their car sits out in the driveway.
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I doesn't make sense, to me, to spend 10's of thousands for a new car/truck, then leave the thing outdoors all the time. After about 5 years, the paint is starting to wear out, and if a hail storm comes through, the vehicle gets all dinged up....and the resale value goes way down. A garage is Not a storage shed, and if a person has that much "clutter", they need to do some serious downsizing. I have a 20 yr. old Dodge Dakota, with only about 90K miles on it, and the thing looks and runs almost like new....it spends most of its time in the garage....about the only reason I keep it is so that if we need to go somewhere in bad weather, in the Winter, I can do so with its 4WD and high ground clearance.
 
I like bigger houses. My house is my getaway place. Go in, turn off the phone. So I need some room to roam around inside. :playful:
 
I've enjoyed those tiny house programs too Pappy, but like your wife, they're not for me. Unless my option was a camper, tent or homeless. :p We have a small 2 bedroom ranch with finished basement, just perfect for the two of us. Wouldn't want a really big house for sure, and not very fond on bi or tri levels, just the staircase to the basement is enough for me and should be doable even as I age.....hopefully.
 
HiDesertHal said:
My wife and I rattle around in our sprawling single-story 2800 sq. ft. California Ranch, with 4 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, game room, a 3-1/2 car attached garage /workshop, and no mortgage!

HDH
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You can't ask for more. That's great. No basement I understand. Single level? You have it made in the shade so to speak.

What is most impressive to me is a workshop. I used to spend hours in my workshop.

What I don't understand in my area is basements. Nothing but trouble with water leaking into the basement eventually.
 
I wouldn't trade my home for anything/anywhere.

It's high upon a hill in Rancho Palos Verdes, overlooking the always busy Los Angeles harbor.

We watched it being built and chose both indoor and outdoor color schemes.

I'd hate to live in the flatlands that go on for miles and miles of sand.

It's NOT on a slab and has real lath & plaster walls. I can be swimming in the Pacific Ocean within about 5 minutes driving time.
 
Falcon said:
I wouldn't trade my home for anything/anywhere.

It's high upon a hill in Rancho Palos Verdes, overlooking the always busy Los Angeles harbor.

We watched it being built and chose both indoor and outdoor color schemes.

I'd hate to live in the flatlands that go on for miles and miles of sand.

It's NOT on a slab and has real lath & plaster walls. I can be swimming in the Pacific Ocean within about 5 minutes driving time.
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Sounds like paradise. What is it like outdoors? Trees, lawn, etc?
 
Lawn in back. Xerescaped (sp?) in front with individual plants and covered with wood chips.

A tall star pine tree half way down the bank. I'll post some pics when I can. Thanks for your interest.

Oh, Almost forgot; 3 VERY tall Italian Cypress trees at the end of the patio. Each about 30' tall.
 
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Falcon said:
I wouldn't trade my home for anything/anywhere.

It's high upon a hill in Rancho Palos Verdes, overlooking the always busy Los Angeles harbor.

We watched it being built and chose both indoor and outdoor color schemes.

I'd hate to live in the flatlands that go on for miles and miles of sand.

It's NOT on a slab and has real lath & plaster walls. I can be swimming in the Pacific Ocean within about 5 minutes driving time.
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Hey John,

When we lived in San Pedro in the late 1940's, we would drive around the Palos Verdes peninsula to go to Redondo Beach for a picnic and fun in the Surf.

On a certain stretch of Palos Verdes Drive, there was a spot called "Gravity Hill', where people would stop their cars, put them in neutral, release the brake, and watch their cars begin to coast UPHILL!

Do you know about this phenomenon?
HDH
 
We downsized when we moved to town

Our house is a 1300 Sq. ft. 3 bedroom, two bathroom. the rooms are small but we have a large covered deck and a mudroom for winter outdoor wear. There is a carport in front which I prefer to a garage because you can't store stuff in it, it's only good for the car. No basement and only entry stairs, good for us old folks with bad knees, hips, and backs. No basement either but there is a small 8' X 16' shop for my tools and to putter in. So, what do two old folks need with three bedrooms? Well we use the front bedroom with the bay window for our computer room.
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I use the back bedroom for my exercise room/ hobby room/ sometimes-guest-bedroom and storage room for our scooters.


We don't own the lot, what do I need with land? We rent a space in a very well maintained senior mobile home park. The landlord's agent comes by twice a year to collect postdated rent checks and bring a box of Christmas candy. The company also has a landscaping company that take care of all the common areas and in winter, plows and sands the service roads and driveways. Management also provides garbage collection,sewer, and water. I have about 1200 Sq. ft. to mow and edge. The property tax on our home is $100/year.

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One thing I don't see in newer or remodeled homes is wallpaper. Has that gone out of fashion? Now it drywall painted in plain pastel shades.
 

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