If you're looking for the questions to this week's Hodgepodge, you'll find them here.
Sometimes the intro to these A-Z Challenge posts remind me a little bit of Sesame Street. Today's post is brought to you by the letter D and the number 4.
One of the first questions people ask when they hear we're building a house is 'Are you downsizing?'. Most people just assume the answer is yes because a) doesn't everyone say they're going to downsize when their kids are grown and b) our girls are grown, living in their own homes and c) we're close to retirement, in fact hubs was retired when we broke ground.
Not really. I mean a teensy bit, in that the actual square footage is less than our previous home, but that number doesn't include the covered deck or screened-in porch which are definitely spaces we'll live in once the house is finished. In fact those are likely the two places we'll spend the most time, so no we're not really downsizing.
Originally I did think we'd build a slightly smaller home, but when the time comes to say exactly what space you'll eliminate it all becomes a bit murky. We have two daughters, one is married and the other will be someday, and they'll hopefully add grandchildren to our family too. As much as I'd love to have my girls and their families set down roots in laketown it's not likely, at least not in the foreseeable future.
Hubs and I want to have a comfortable space for them to call their home away from home. A place where they can relax with their own families, and stay for more than a day or two without frayed nerves. We're nothing if not flexible here, and I know I could throw down an air mattress somewhere and my girls wouldn't complain, but since we're building why not make room?
Besides our own immediate family, hubs and I both have large extended families, none of whom live in laketown, and we want them to feel like visiting isn't an imposition. We also want our friends scattered here there and everywhere around the globe to come to the lake and make themselves at home too.
Maybe if you live in a place where your family can come for Christmas dinner then drive home and sleep in their own beds nearby you can downsize without much difficulty. Or perhaps you don't enjoy hosting houseguests, and prefer company stay in a nearby hotel. That's absolutely fine, but that's not us. We like our people under our feet, and in the kitchen keeping us company while we're making dinner, and sitting under the stars with us late into the night.
In addition to the family and friends piece, geography also played a part in the size of our home. Most lake lots are sloped, some quite sharply and others more gently, but either way you need to account for the slope of your lot in the design. We're building what is called a walk-out. Or maybe not, but that's what I call it. From the front our house appears to be a single story. From the back it's two full stories, thanks to the gentle slope of the lot. Whatever square footage you put upstairs needs to be matched downstairs.
So to answer the inevitable question, no. We're not downsizing. But we absolutely will use every square inch of the space. Hubs and I will live on the main level, but when friends and family come visit they'll spread out downstairs. Speaking as someone who has spent most of my adult life schlepping a suitcase somewhere I love the idea of the lower level space for houseguests.
They can grab a morning cup of coffee and sip it right here.
Maybe don't pack your bags just yet.
I'm with ya on the downsizing thing. Last time I counted, my family is getting bigger, not smaller.
Honey and I feel exactly the same way! The more the merrier!
We do want to downsize, but just how far is the question. So many decisions right now, but I agree that having room for my daughters to visit is important.
Well I personally am glad that you are building with all of that in mind as TRUST ME you will be VERY glad you did. We did downsize quite a bit when we bought this [mainly as we had no choice at the time] and it honestly has been nothing but a problem ever since. Now all of my kids and extended family live around here close enough to drive home after anything, but then my ONLY daughter does not. And she wants to stay HERE for all reasons you list when she does come to California, which at first was NO problem, but now that she has added on the 3 kids it has become really, really tight, and that's with all of her kids mere babies really. And of course they are growing like weeds. We have only 1 extra bedroom! We have couches that make into beds, but not the same. And then when this whole clan gets together there are 24 of us! And it will no doubt keep growing. Way too many for this house! So we have to gather at my oldest son's house....which is fine....but there are just times i REALLY want everyone here. I feel like we moved ourselves in the "old granny couple" area by doing this, but it is what it is, lol. Anyway, all of this to say you are building a home MANY can and will enjoy for years to come, and you are both smart and blessed!
Oh, and once again, this post could have been written by me. We discussed and rediscussed downsizing and it just wasn't in the cards. And, that's due to the fact that our daughter and family live hours away and we are "home" to my husband's two sisters and my two brothers. Thus, we have plenty of room and that's why we added the lovely guest suite above the garage that is totally private. Now, not the view that your guests will have but it is a lovely place to "hang your hat" for a few days. We did downsize our yard considerably and that was important to us. Now, if the old house will just sell one day in the not so distant future. :o)) So enjoying these posts!
We will have a very low maintenance yard. Very little grass-mostly just the big trees and pine straw and some ornamental stuff. Nothing that can't be mowed in a matter of minutes. Your view is so serene!
I answered my Hodgepodge question about retirement before reading this - and I spoke of downsizing! ha Hubby and I are thinking of downsizing our Pawleys Island home/life because now our family get-togethers are all at the riva cabin (which we didn't have until 4 years ago.) I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around leaving my PI beauty of a home. But, it makes sense to do.
I love the pictures of the view you will have! We are about 25 years from that stage, but I totally understand what you are saying. We had family in town last weekend, and with a 4 bedroom house we were still piling people everywhere we could find. I can only imagine when our little(s) get to the age that yours are, we are going to have an even bigger issue. Maybe then it'll be time to move to a ranch... I think you made all the right decisions!
Having recently downsized to 3 suitcases, I applaud downsizing! But before that I had the home where everyone came for a visit.It was wonderful. Enjoy the A to Z!
Your home is going to be beautiful and it will accomodate your family nicely. I want to downsize. I am not all that crazy about house-guests. There, I said it. I like to have people come but they can stay at a hotel and my feelings won't be hurt. And they will be more comfortable. Because I want a tiny, one bedroom house just for me!!
Yes downsizing looks like a good idea until you try and find a house that works. We're not really in a position to be able to build so we have to find a suitable house. Hard when you love the house you're in.
Once my home had five people living in it. Now it is just me, but I find I would like something larger if I move. That way my guest rooms are not doing double duty even if they sit empty most of the time.
Oh, yes...must have room for any grandbabies down the road! That's my #1 priority when Chris and I talk about finding a new house.
Faucets and Flooring and Lighting Oh My!