Is it a giant White House, black frames.

They are taking over.

I’m guessing maybe it’s not proportional to the lot.

It’s happening a lot in this area

They are probably puzzled. Why spend all that money to expand at this time of uncertainty?

It makes sense if you plan to be in the house for another 20+ years and don't plan to move anywhere. It's just that most people here don't plan on that.

We just plan to sell and move, which a lot people do, especially with these multiple level houses here.

People are probably just perplexed OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do agree, the comments are rude, but I bet the addition is ugly too.

Tell me you know nothing about Del Ray, Old Town, or N. Arlington without telling you you know nothing about Del Ray, Old Town, or N. Arlington.

There’s not a single zip code in the US that is immune to ugly additions.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do agree, the comments are rude, but I bet the addition is ugly too.

Tell me you know nothing about Del Ray, Old Town, or N. Arlington without telling you you know nothing about Del Ray, Old Town, or N. Arlington.

I live in N Arlington, so I know how ugly some of the additions and even new builds are. Trust me, it’s not always “envy” when I see those.

I find this hard to believe, but maybe my friends are just very different. When someone has had home renovations, I try to make a fuss and say something positive, but I could honestly care less.

Not many people put that much money into a tiny house, they just will sell and upgrade. They think you wasted money on your tiny house when you should have just upgraded all together.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here who had awkward comments after our reno/addition. We also did it later in life - one kid in MS and one in HS. I would have loved to renovate earlier but unfortunately, we weren't in a financial position to do so. The oldest is now in college and believe me, DC is around the house plenty. We're thrilled we have more space and a more comfortable home at this stage of life.

+1

That's the best part. Was OP supposed to continue living in a small, cramped, dated home needing repairs...... because it wasn't full of kids? Like, do you have any idea how many huge SFHs in Mclean and Arlington are occupied by childless 50 and 60 year olds?

Jealously is so obvious when it shows up.

It's envy, actually, not jealousy.

It's neither. It's just not what most people expect empty nesters to do. The polite ones just don't say anything.

OP never said they were epty nesters. They said they had a kid going to college. They could have two more kids. They could have an aging MIL with them. They could have a BIL or SIL that stays with them 4 weeks a year. Why is that any of your business?

It's odd to say you have one kid and not reveal that you have two younger ones as well. Plus having other kids/relatives staying with you provides more reasons for the remodel. Why would you leave that off? If OP didn't want people to think and write about their situation, why post?

+1 That's why OP is getting these comments. It's odd to expand your home after your only child goes off to college. OP should do what she wants and other people should keep their opinions to themselves, but it's clear that this is why OP's friends are questioning why she did the addition.

Anonymous wrote:I do agree, the comments are rude, but I bet the addition is ugly too.

Tell me you know nothing about Del Ray, Old Town, or N. Arlington without telling you you know nothing about Del Ray, Old Town, or N. Arlington.

I do agree, the comments are rude, but I bet the addition is ugly too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here who had awkward comments after our reno/addition. We also did it later in life - one kid in MS and one in HS. I would have loved to renovate earlier but unfortunately, we weren't in a financial position to do so. The oldest is now in college and believe me, DC is around the house plenty. We're thrilled we have more space and a more comfortable home at this stage of life.

+1

That's the best part. Was OP supposed to continue living in a small, cramped, dated home needing repairs...... because it wasn't full of kids? Like, do you have any idea how many huge SFHs in Mclean and Arlington are occupied by childless 50 and 60 year olds?

Jealously is so obvious when it shows up.

It's envy, actually, not jealousy.

It's neither. It's just not what most people expect empty nesters to do. The polite ones just don't say anything.

OP never said they were epty nesters. They said they had a kid going to college. They could have two more kids. They could have an aging MIL with them. They could have a BIL or SIL that stays with them 4 weeks a year. Why is that any of your business?

It's odd to say you have one kid and not reveal that you have two younger ones as well. Plus having other kids/relatives staying with you provides more reasons for the remodel. Why would you leave that off? If OP didn't want people to think and write about their situation, why post?

Probably envy, if they'd like to do the same but can't or told themselves it wasn't wise. Especially neighbors, whose houses now look "less than."

Also since you're close in where houses tend to be small ... IME, a lot of people in small houses have a chip on their shoulder about how a small house is all you need and a big house is ugly or unnecessary or whatever. The first house to expand, especially, gets a lot of noise for not matching the neighborhood. In 15 years all the other houses will have expanded too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here who had awkward comments after our reno/addition. We also did it later in life - one kid in MS and one in HS. I would have loved to renovate earlier but unfortunately, we weren't in a financial position to do so. The oldest is now in college and believe me, DC is around the house plenty. We're thrilled we have more space and a more comfortable home at this stage of life.

+1

That's the best part. Was OP supposed to continue living in a small, cramped, dated home needing repairs...... because it wasn't full of kids? Like, do you have any idea how many huge SFHs in Mclean and Arlington are occupied by childless 50 and 60 year olds?

Jealously is so obvious when it shows up.

It's envy, actually, not jealousy.

It's neither. It's just not what most people expect empty nesters to do. The polite ones just don't say anything.

OP never said they were epty nesters. They said they had a kid going to college. They could have two more kids. They could have an aging MIL with them. They could have a BIL or SIL that stays with them 4 weeks a year. Why is that any of your business?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of people in this area feel very unsure about the future right now OP. Think the comments are probably coming from this point of view.

This exactly. Maybe dial down the details when sharing the renovation.

LOL. Try not to be skinny and pretty in a room full of ugly fat asses. Great advice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here who had awkward comments after our reno/addition. We also did it later in life - one kid in MS and one in HS. I would have loved to renovate earlier but unfortunately, we weren't in a financial position to do so. The oldest is now in college and believe me, DC is around the house plenty. We're thrilled we have more space and a more comfortable home at this stage of life.

+1

That's the best part. Was OP supposed to continue living in a small, cramped, dated home needing repairs...... because it wasn't full of kids? Like, do you have any idea how many huge SFHs in Mclean and Arlington are occupied by childless 50 and 60 year olds?

Jealously is so obvious when it shows up.

It's envy, actually, not jealousy.

It's neither. It's just not what most people expect empty nesters to do. The polite ones just don't say anything.