Go back in time

Show more

Absurd


I realized that I currently live in and use about 900 square feet, give or take. I'm no David Henry Thoreau, mind you, but I feel I have lots of space to move and to putz around even though my basement garden apartment has to obviously accommodate many of the things a house needs to run comfortably (heating and cooling and the such) . I feel the privilege, though. I feel like I have a lot of space. But I feel my space is functional and comfortable and I constantly use my 'entertainment' room, my dining room and my pantry. My bedroom, of course, and my office, which is right in my bedroom. I have not used my 'sitting room' in awhile because I have not had people over (to visit) in a long time. Something called 'pandemic' happened and I became fucking Rip Van Winkle. 

Apparently, though, the space where I live is more or less the de facto rule in many countries (and in the United States in some places, because houses built before the sixties were kind of around 1000 square feet. And whole family units lived in those houses ( in 1956, you could get a house around that size for $11,600).

I kind of agree with the idea that people buy more than they need to live in because they think about resale value, or people who inherit them thing about the money (think about Dave's neighbor's house, that now will be sold to the best person who offers the owner money). To think that some people sometimes buy houses thinking about the time when they are going to get rid of them. It blows my mind. 

So, Constant Reader, where do you fall in this continuum? Just wondering....

Also, do you know anybody with a gift wrapping room?

XOXO

P.S. wanna have fun? Check this out...

P.P.S. Also, how totally cute is Stewart? Pity he's straight. I'd be more than willing to let him see my blueprints...

Comments

  1. I have 1900 square feet and honestly use just about all of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait, you have at least three bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms? And possibly a basement? For one person and two pets?

      Unless you have a gentleman companion we don't know of...

      XOXO

      Delete
  2. We had 1300 square feet in Miami and used it just fine, but our house in Camden is over twice that size; about the only room we don't use every day is the dining room. And I do think of resale when it comes to doing remodels and such; as for things that change like paint and flooring, we do what we like.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, wow. Spacious.
      But you do have pets and you need probably an office. And I can see thinking about resale when doing remodeling. It makes the house beautiful and it counts when you want to sell it.
      You know what? Many people have dining rooms they barely use...

      XOXO

      Delete
  3. Anonymous2/01/2023

    HuntleyBiGuy:
    We bought out 1600 sqft with the thought of a future sale. IMHO a single family home in our area is best to have at least 3 bedrooms for a small family. In my situation it gave me the master bedroom with en-suite bath, an office and a guest (cat) room. There’s room for entertaining and a fair sized kitchen with a dining area, in addition to the dining room.

    I know in Chicago and some of the nearby suburbs, individuals have bought multiple plots and combined them for their McMansions, many of which take up the entire area with structures, no outdoor space.

    XOXO 👨🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👨🏽

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2/01/2023

      Oh and Stewart is a hottie.

      Delete
    2. I've seen that happening here in Bucks County and even in Rehoboth Beach. And it drives me nuts why you want such a large house, and then there's no outdoor areas? I think it looks absolutely ridiculous.

      Delete
    3. I can see why you did think about resale.
      It depends on the area and your area tends to be very suburban. And yes, I kind of remember the layout. And I also remember you have a nice-sized backyard.
      The suburbs can get ridiculous, though. I have seen the four-lot McMansions. They're horrible. All pavement and fake brick.

      XOXO

      Delete
  4. As for the big houses: how many people are to live in them? how long? to do what? to work? study? or live their entire life. The same goes for houses or small apartments. These seem to me unavoidable questions for any type of home. Not to mention that large houses need to be cleaned and maintained and if one is alone, it can be really expensive and tiring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, it's usually two adults.
      They buy big houses because it's the default in the suburbs, which are absolutely homogeneous (99% white people). Upper middle class people here buy huge houses because they have two or more kids and each person has their own bedroom.
      They stay in their houses probably after the kids go to college and they're kicked out. A loving American custom. Then they realize they have rooms they don't use and decide to 'downsize'. Rinse and repeat.
      I know people who have lived all their lives in small houses or apartments, though. Especially gay men or couples without kids.

      XOXO

      Delete
  5. I went from 2896 sq. ft. to 385 sq. ft. and other than the initial shock I love the smaller lifestyle. I think that even if I won a billion dollar lottery I would just stay here and earn a lot of interest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now, THAT was a change.
      I have lived in 400 sq.ft. It forces you to prioritize. And I can imagine that everything becomes much, much more manageable. And I'm with you about winning the lottery. I'd do exactly the same.
      Great minds, right??

      XOXO

      Delete
  6. Anonymous2/01/2023

    Big says,
    You and Maddie are on the same wavelength today! Our house is 3200sf. We rarely use the "sitting room" or dining room at all anymore. We used to entertain alot. Alot. Now, I keep wanting to downsize. We started out in 900sf. I don't think I could go back to that small unless I had a terrific outdoor space. I need my pool, ya know. Or a beach and ocean as my front yard.
    It is wise to consider resale value when purchasing real estate - it is how people build wealth. It cost us approx $280k to build this when others were purchasing smaller homes on smaller lots at almost double that cost. At the recent peak, it was valued at $806k. XOXO
    P.S. One of our neighbors actually does have a wrapping room. Blows my mind!
    P.P.S. Stewart could come swim naked with me any time he wants.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha
      I saw that! And I have seen people with houses that size that basically live in their family room and kitchen. And their bedroom. The rest of the house? Just more space to clean/dust. And if you plan to downsize and still have a pool, it may be difficult. It's bigger houses that usually have a pool.
      And of course real estate is the way to accrue wealth (the GI bill comes to mind and explains why Black people did not have that advantage), I just think that buying big and not using the house it's kind of a waste.
      And I can believe that about your neighbor. I have one that has a 'playroom' for the kids. SEPARATE from the kid's bedrooms. And the family room.
      And I'd love to watch Stewart swim naked....

      XOXO

      Delete
  7. I prefer a smaller space. Much less work and no room for hoarding/clutter.

    ReplyDelete
  8. People are going to think you, Bob and I are having a threesome or something. All three of us are on the same page today. I have never understood why people have big Estates and mansions, or larger homes than they need. Many family members and friends that I know all admit to only using half or little less than half of the house. So it puzzles me to no end why they feel they need all that space? I love these small houses that you're starting here a lot about. And some of them are getting downright spectacular. A friend of mine has one in upstate New York, and he came from a huge house with 110 acres, and he absolutely loves it. I think you know where I stand on this. Give me a 8 to 900 square foot, Charming Bijou Bungalow or apartment, that I can design that reflects my style and I'm happy. As I have reached middle age I have downsized and I'm definitely becoming more minimalist. It's all about quality not quantity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha
      Great minds, right? And my whole neighborhood is an exercise on excess and wasted space, I swear. And I have known of families with two or three kids who move away to get a BIGGER HOUSE!!
      I will forever favor smaller houses/apartments. I don't have pets. I will never have children. It'll probably be my man and myself. 1200 square feet would probably be enough. Maybe two bedrooms and one and a half bathroom for visits?
      And quality over quantity will always win in my book, too.

      XOXO

      Delete
  9. Oh my God I can't believe that comment disappeared!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, it was Blogger thinking you were Spam. Why? Beats me.

      XOXO

      Delete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. My cottage is about 900sf. not including the screened porch and garage. My problem is I have a husband who cannot throw anything away. And yes, my washer and dryer are on the back screened porch!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love!
      And for two people is kind of just right. Now, we will have to talk to your husband because.. no. We will have to make him familiar with Marie Kondo.
      And how quaint your washer and dryer are out! Now I want a screened porch in Florida.

      XOXO

      Delete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I wanna see your blueprints! Crawling along the floor, much? Anyhoo. YES. People are ridiculously stupid when it comes to houses. Idiots. I laughed as I went through the McMansion Hell link. Dumb, dumb, dumb. And the thing is? They CAN'T AFFORD IT! I can't imagine living beyond my means. What a dumb way to spend your time on earth. I love my little cave. Dungeon. Hovel. I like that I waste not and want not. Houses, like dicks - bigger isn't always better. KIZZES.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha
      But Upton, I have already posted them here. They're somewhere with TMI about my house. And Ding! Ding! Ding! These are the people who are driving the economy up: people who buy enormous houses and spend their whole lives paying for them. Unless you make $300,000 a year, it's a fucking struggle. And if they make $300,000 a year they are republicans because they don't want to pay taxes on their earnings OR their houses.
      And the McMansion link is a riot. Stupid people will always make me laugh.
      I also love my little dungeon.
      Bigger is NOT always better.

      XOXO

      Delete
  14. I have 1099 square feet and it's enough, well more than enough. And if I wasn't renting and owned the place, I would certainly take up all the carpet and just have hardwood flooring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's kind of a great in-between, I think.
      Not too much and not too small. It could easily accommodate two people, if necessary.
      And the things I would do if I owned my place!!

      XOXO

      Delete

Post a Comment

Go ahead, give it to me.

Translate

Followers

Popular Posts

En otra lengua

Restricted to Adults

Restricted to Adults
Under 18? Beat it. Now.