Someone asked me the other day if I would consider living in a "tiny house" - those 250ish square foot little homes. Absolutely not unless I was living alone and in a great location where I could be outdoors a lot.
However we are going down to about 60% of what we live in now. Our current house is almost 2400 square feet. We bought it when one son was in high school and it worked for us, but our 1700 square foot house (in a more expensive market) before that worked well for 4 of us. It was all about the layout and the ability to live outside as well or not as is the case here.
Of course until recently we all left all day 5 days a week too whereas going forward we will be retired and home more often.
The homes where we are planning to move are just over 1400 square feet with 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a den, living and dining rooms and patios. Plenty of space for us and for our family and friends to visit. We could go smaller but want the flexibility of what these models offer.
If you have downsized in retirement how much smaller did you go and why? If you are only considering it, what are your thoughts?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What I’m Reading Wednesday
Another book for the challenge - Prompt 50: Set in the 1940’s. One of those plots that shifts from present day to the 1940s and back repeat...
We had an interesting journey as far as house size. We had a large suburban house with a big yard, down-sized to a much smaller townhouse, and then moved to a new state to a single family home, about midway in size between the big house and the townhouse. I feel that we ended up right-sizing to meet our needs for entertaining and space for hobbies. I love the idea of a tiny house but there is no way my husband and I could do that.
ReplyDeleteGlad you found the right balance for you at this point in your life. My husband and I could not manage happily in a tiny house either LOL.
DeleteThe only thing that has gotten smaller is our front yard- down to an acre. The house went from 2700sqf to 3000sqf to 4000 sqf. The other difference is the amount above ground. 2700sqf was all above, to 2500sqf above, and this house is 2000sqf above ground. Our basement has a place for the grands, hobbies and movies :) . I cannot see us in a town house together. I can see, each of us, in a 700sqf house by our selves. Only time will tell.
ReplyDeleteWow, you still have a lot of house! Glad it is working for you.
DeleteWe went from 3600+ square feet with 3 car garage and huge back and front yard to a 2400 sq. foot, smaller front and back yard, 2 car garage..but still have a pool.Figured out we could enjoy less maintenance, less utility bills, less taxes.Arizona houses are large by any standard ,so we are blessed to be able to still have a good amt. of space and low bills. I know I always need a pool..I swim every day I can. We like to garden, but less now. We're pretty comfy here after 4 years of owning it.. had to get rid of some larger furnishings , books,etc. It's important to purge as you retire, in my opinion. I refreshed how I decorate.Nice to try new things! That's what retirement is all about! We moved just one small town away from where we were. Not cross country! Retirement is good. Not sure we could go smaller than this.
ReplyDeleteIt really does depend on where you live doesn't it? We are moving to S. Calif where the prices are high. Just under 1400 sq ft plus a patio in an HOA community that has a pool, gym, tennis courts, etc. and the beach a short drive away so we will have a lot of amenities.
DeleteYes i agree if i have to live alone and in some country side area where i can have a lot of nature around me, i will prefer to be in a small home with small rooms .enough for me.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete