Anonymous
Post 07/02/2023 07:24     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:What's the definition of large by DCUM standards? DH and I built a 5,000 sq. ft house about eleven years ago with the intention of having kids. That didn't pan out but we love our house. With just two people, it's not hard to keep the everyday spaces clean and tidy. We do have a cleaning person every two weeks and she takes about five hours to do the main floor and bedroom level.
Now the problem with the large home is the exterior maintenance. Even with a lawn mowing service, there is still a great deal of weeding and general upkeep that's needed outside. I didn't grow up doing lawn work so it mainly falls on DH's shoulders as he's very meticulous about the yard. I know he gets annoyed that I don't always jump into action and start weeding or that I don't enjoy planting flowers, etc. It's just not my thing.
We've considered downsizing now that kids are off the table but we've grown attached to the house and enjoy the larger main rooms.


This is true. And with a large house you do want to entertain more and that gets expensive as well. The kids all like to hang here so keep it stocked with things that they and their friends like.

Also pest control fees, systems (our house has two systems), tree services, pool service, etc. There are so many hidden fees.
That said I do not like to leave any house I'm in so this is perfect for me. If I'm staying home might as well be a big one.
Anonymous
Post 07/02/2023 06:41     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If I had three acres with a pool, tennis court, four car garage, hot tub, full bar and movie theater with a gourmet kitchen with a cook why would I leave?


Because you don’t want to spend your life in a bubble?

I find it so wasteful when people with small families build large homes.


I mean you can’t really unless you home school and kids have no activities, and you don’t work or have a religion. Or a family or friends from many stages of life,

Isn’t “walkable” living in a bubble since nobody really walks more than 2 mikes.
Anonymous
Post 07/02/2023 06:38     Subject: Re:Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My house is not large but it’s inviting and I never want to go out unless it’s to walk in the woods, kayak or rock climb.

I cook at home and have friends over.


Same. Not about size but comfort. We have 2500sq ft but across 3 levels so dh, kids and i can all be in separate spaces.


I had a designer come in and create a space for young adults at my walkout basement and my kids entertain all the time it so nice.
Anonymous
Post 07/02/2023 05:22     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Maybe you just like this house. We lived in a big house and I hated it. Felt like we rattled around in there and were always to spread out in our separate zones. There were whole rooms and floors we didn’t use!! We downsized by choice 4 years ago and this house would not be considered as “nice” as the old one and certainly not as large but it feels so, so much homier and I love it here the way I never did the old house.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 22:24     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What's the definition of large by DCUM standards? DH and I built a 5,000 sq. ft house about eleven years ago with the intention of having kids. That didn't pan out but we love our house. With just two people, it's not hard to keep the everyday spaces clean and tidy. We do have a cleaning person every two weeks and she takes about five hours to do the main floor and bedroom level.
Now the problem with the large home is the exterior maintenance. Even with a lawn mowing service, there is still a great deal of weeding and general upkeep that's needed outside. I didn't grow up doing lawn work so it mainly falls on DH's shoulders as he's very meticulous about the yard. I know he gets annoyed that I don't always jump into action and start weeding or that I don't enjoy planting flowers, etc. It's just not my thing.
We've considered downsizing now that kids are off the table but we've grown attached to the house and enjoy the larger main rooms.


Probably because you couldn't find each other to make a baby in that massive house.


Careful, your envy is showing.


Pot, meet kettle.


Not the pp you think you’re responding to. Happen to have both. You’re a mean person.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 22:16     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What's the definition of large by DCUM standards? DH and I built a 5,000 sq. ft house about eleven years ago with the intention of having kids. That didn't pan out but we love our house. With just two people, it's not hard to keep the everyday spaces clean and tidy. We do have a cleaning person every two weeks and she takes about five hours to do the main floor and bedroom level.
Now the problem with the large home is the exterior maintenance. Even with a lawn mowing service, there is still a great deal of weeding and general upkeep that's needed outside. I didn't grow up doing lawn work so it mainly falls on DH's shoulders as he's very meticulous about the yard. I know he gets annoyed that I don't always jump into action and start weeding or that I don't enjoy planting flowers, etc. It's just not my thing.
We've considered downsizing now that kids are off the table but we've grown attached to the house and enjoy the larger main rooms.


Probably because you couldn't find each other to make a baby in that massive house.


Careful, your envy is showing.


Pot, meet kettle.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 22:10     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:What's the definition of large by DCUM standards? DH and I built a 5,000 sq. ft house about eleven years ago with the intention of having kids. That didn't pan out but we love our house. With just two people, it's not hard to keep the everyday spaces clean and tidy. We do have a cleaning person every two weeks and she takes about five hours to do the main floor and bedroom level.
Now the problem with the large home is the exterior maintenance. Even with a lawn mowing service, there is still a great deal of weeding and general upkeep that's needed outside. I didn't grow up doing lawn work so it mainly falls on DH's shoulders as he's very meticulous about the yard. I know he gets annoyed that I don't always jump into action and start weeding or that I don't enjoy planting flowers, etc. It's just not my thing.
We've considered downsizing now that kids are off the table but we've grown attached to the house and enjoy the larger main rooms.


Probably because you couldn't find each other to make a baby in that massive house.


Careful, your envy is showing.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 12:00     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:My legs hurt from all the walking I have to do between the kitchen and the bedroom!


What are you doing in the kitchen? Telling the hired help the menu for dinner?
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 11:58     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:
I have a very cute 1200 sq ft house full of natural light that I renovated to my specifications.

I don't want to leave it either, OP. It's too small for our family of 4, but every time I visit a larger house, the layout and natural light are not as great as in our house, and I don't experience the immediate love that I experienced when I first laid eyes on my current home.

Just another perspective.


Our house is small too- about 1300 sq ft. It’s perfect for us to live in. For entertaining, it’s not too great. Always thought we would move into something bigger, but timing didn’t work out, moving seemed like a hassle and now one of our two kids is almost out of the house. Makes no sense to move now. Also, while in some cases a bigger house would be better, I never wanted more cleaning, more maintenance, more mortgage, more taxes…etc.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 11:20     Subject: Re:Problems with living in a large home
How big is big? We have just under 4K and I find it to be perfect size. I def wouldn’t want anything 2x bigger though as we are just a family of three.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 10:44     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
But then again, I assign find huge SUV’s to be ridiculous.

Selfish and showy.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 10:44     Subject: Problems with living in a large home

I have a very cute 1200 sq ft house full of natural light that I renovated to my specifications.

I don't want to leave it either, OP. It's too small for our family of 4, but every time I visit a larger house, the layout and natural light are not as great as in our house, and I don't experience the immediate love that I experienced when I first laid eyes on my current home.

Just another perspective.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 10:43     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
Anonymous wrote:If I had three acres with a pool, tennis court, four car garage, hot tub, full bar and movie theater with a gourmet kitchen with a cook why would I leave?


Because you don’t want to spend your life in a bubble?

I find it so wasteful when people with small families build large homes.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 10:40     Subject: Re:Problems with living in a large home
I don't see this as a problem. It's a scary world out there.
Anonymous
Post 07/01/2023 10:37     Subject: Problems with living in a large home
If I had three acres with a pool, tennis court, four car garage, hot tub, full bar and movie theater with a gourmet kitchen with a cook why would I leave?