We have a flat yard that plunges down into a ravine at the rear edge of the backyard. We own the slope (though it is technically native growth protection area). Many of our neighbors have fenced a few feet inside the slope. We have opted to use a temporary fence right now to keep our young kids from falling down the hill (it is STEEP) as we figure out what to do. It sounds like the view down the hill is not going to be very picturesque (rooftops) for you, but the view out is? I would stand in the yard and at various points in the house and figure out what/where you want to screen and at what heights. A fence, even a low one, could be used if you have pets/children to keep in. Otherwise, you could just use plantings. I would consider putting some trees on the back corners to help "frame" your pleasant view and then perhaps have a mix of shrubs and small trees along the back line for interest and screening the "not so pleasant" view. My grandmother had a similar situation to yours (houses below) and she just had a simple wooden split rail fence that ran about 75% the length of the house (behind the main living areas/patio of the house) a few feet inside the top of the slope. She planted her roses in front of it. It was quite pretty. A fence should be a few feet inside the slope and maybe even be built so the posts aren't sunk in the ground directly, but are attached to something else that is. That way, if the ground shifts, it doesn't take your fence down with it. Do you have any idea what the slope was cleared of? I'm guessing they did some clearing if there is hay on it? I'd suggest making sure that regardless of who ends up owning the land on the slope, that it gets planted quickly so it doesn't erode away. I'm not an expert here - but you may even want to contact a geotechnical engineer to assess the situation, especially if the soil looks especially loose or your house is within 30-40' of the slope.

Any wood has cupping issues, 2x6 and 5/4 as well... never seen 2x8 being used as decking boards. Heavy to carry, if you have a 16' I assume you would use 2x8-16' to eliminate joints each board weighs 70LB and even if you use 12' and stagger them each 2x8-12' is 50LB vs. 5/4x6- 12' weighs approximately 10-18LB depending on how wet it is... As decking goes, I never seen or heard anyone using 2x8 as decking material. Heavy to carry, if you have a 16' deck, I assume you plan using 2x8-16' to eliminate joints, each board weighs 70LB and even if you use 12' and stagger them each 2x8-12' is 50LB vs. 5/4x6- 12' weighs approximately 10-18LB depending on how wet the board is...

Because I helped out at the HS I knew alot of teens, especially the boys. When they came to the house, I started out making them do a trick then get the treat. You cannot how talented some of the kids were and what they went thru to get the treats. Great and so much fun. Kids would sing, say a poem, act etc. This would be many years ago. They even planned 1 act plays. Sure do miss that!

I do girls weekends(book club), so one lady per bed. If we have a full crowd then we are known to double up. Most of us have been friends for years so are not averse to sharing a bed for a getaway. Kind of gets silly as expected. At holidays my son and a male cousin could share the room and not have to share a bed. A couple would use one bed and throw luggage on the other. I did a thread on GW not too long ago and decided 2 queens was the best all around solution. I will try flipping the beds and tv and see how it works. It would be a prettier view from the beds.