Living in a ranch, bungalow or cottage under 2000 square feet?

12 years ago

Ha Ha

I have to laugh as I live in a 500sq/ft apt, 2 bedroom in NYC. This is the forum for me ! I will be moving to a 1500sq/ft cottage as soon as we find one within the next year (I hope).

I think this post will be well received here. I was going to post it on the kitchen forum just for a nice relaxing break from the obsessing over KD's and GC's and resale value of this range and that DW, but I know better as most of the houses there are VERY large ... Please look at this house. I really love it and people who live in the country in cottages with gardens, animals, land will like it too. (I think)

website: http://permaculturecottage.wordpress.com/about/

Let me know what you think.

I find it so refreshing and plan on visiting the owner Colette in the Spring..

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Comments (15)

Shades_of_idaho
12 years ago
OH it is a lovely cottage and the grounds are so pretty. Love the tunnel green house. Thanks for sharing this link. do you mean you are going all the way to Ireland? Moccasin Landing will want to go with you.

Welcome to the small house board. Glad you posted to us. I am so over considering resale. For once in my life I am going totally nuts with our house inside. Doing what I like and brings me joy.

chris

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to cottage
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi shadesofidaho
Thank you for the warm welcome. If you go to the calendar and look at different months there are some lovely posts showing the different seasons, the blogger's musings, recipes(canning, wine, baking) and philosophy about the earth & sustainabilty. I want to steal her dog & cat they are so cute. Jack looks so happy.
I got married in Ireland, we are currently looking for a 5-6 acres with cottage or a cottage with land nearby: ducks, chickens, 1 Kerry cow, goats are in the plan...oh and a big rooster under the bedroom window to wake up my sweetheart to light the fire put the kettle on...My tuxedo cat is flying over too.
My sweetheart is from Co. Kerry. He's been home since 23 Oct and was due back on 20 Nov(his birthday is now 23Nov :( but extended his stay until 4 Dec. His sister is dying from Lou Gherig's disease.
That's why I'm up so late doing research. I'm the GC & KD responsible for getting the apt. kitchen finished...I do own Red Wing boots:) I found a few people on the kitchen forum who were helpful, especially regarding soapstone(I'm getting it) but for the most part my remodel(and used appliances) is so different than most of the kitchens that I decided to check out this "small house" forum. I'm glad I did.
It's been typical construction BS, but the end is in sight. I got the Italian porcelain tiles installed, but then the installer screwed up saddle thickness...I need to fill a 24" area between cabinets, but can't find a good undercounter refrigerator for less than $1200.I can't get template for counters until I get the fridge...can't install sink until I get counters...Thought my beloved tuxedo cat got out last night and I ran up and down 5 flights of stairs and outside searching,searching, I called my husband on Skype at midnight his time, hysterical. RIGHT after I got off and was about to get together a search party, HRH comes meandering out to finish her dinner. Amazing how lonely and empty the apt. was for that short amount of time without her sauntering around.
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The update is a sad one I'm afraid. Shortly after I posted, we had a rainstorm. I was totally freaked out to find that the water had run into the kitchen ceiling and filled all of the lowered ceiling panels with water. I'm talking bulging here. It also filled up behind the plastic panel that was below the kitchen light and the electricity and water had a battle that caused the plastic panel to literally melt into a bowl shape that also held the water around the light fixture. I called the owner and he said he would not repair the leak until spring. I was already committed to putting a basement under the house and could not afford that and the additional roof job. I ended up backing out of the deal. I just could not bring my child and everything I own and put it all into that fire hazard of a house. I tried a number of ways to get the additional financing to fix both things but I just plain and simple do not have enough income to support both repairs. I'm looking into other homes now. I've found one that I love which has already been completely updated on the inside. On the outside it needs new shingles and also to be sandblasted and repainted. It is built with cinder blocks. Only the top half is framed and that part is sided with vinyl siding. All of the upper trim is vinyl covered also. The furnace and water heater are both new and it has a wood burning stove in the dinning room (also new). It has a library/office on the main floor with french doors. The drawback to it is that all three of the bedrooms are upstairs (2 fights of stairs) which will work for me at this time but may not work in the future. It's been on the market for two months and I was the first person to look at it. I don't feel rushed to make a decision. I'll be searching for other properties this weekend just in case I can find something better to rule this one out. It's really nice though and needs no work from me to make it livable. Even the wall paint colors are really nice but I would rather have a different color in the kitchen. I'd also paint the kitchen cabinets just because I have had my fill of dark cabinets here at the ranch. Here is a link, below. Let me know what you honestly think of what you can see of it. Here is a link that might be useful: Big white house
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Comments (19)
Hi angiep, what a cute house. I live in 750 sq ft! Personally, if I could dbl that space, I'd be a lot happier! My house was built in 1949 & unfortunately, is not craftman style. Just plain ole '40's - '50's cottage style. 2 bedrm's, 1 small bath, 1 living area, 2 very small closets & 1 small one in the hallway w/ shelving next to the bath, like a linen closet. The kitchen is not a bad size - pretty much sq or a little rectangle! I'm just starting to redo that. I was going to turn my current kitch into a dining rm & add on a kitchen, but I was out of work for a yr & 1/2 & now I'm just able to redo the kitchen only now. Kind of a bummer, but it is what it is. I'll post pictures on here when it's all said & done. Probably will be after the 1st of the next yr when it's all thru! I wish I could say my bills are great, but not so much! I have very little insulation & live in Austin, TX where it's in the 100's this time of yr. They just raised our rates & my last bill was $215!! That also includes water & garbage, but trust me, the majority of that is electricity! Then add a $5000 property tax bill & my small house isn't that cheap to live in! I would definitely not be able to afford a larger house at this point! But, as I said, I've made it really cute over the years & have just learned to make it work. It's not the easiest thing to live in such a small place, but I've been here for 13 yrs, so have learned to purge a few times a yr! Or, if you're smart, just don't buy new stuff! I have a hard time w/ that, tho! I just wanted to congratulate you on your new digs. You'll figure out how to live in it & be very happy! Good luck!
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Under 2000 sq ft?
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Comments (38)
I still am stunned about municipalities requiring a minimum size. I looked in our code book briefly and could not find the min requirement. I am still thinking it was 8 by 30 foot which just keeps folks from dragging in a tiny travel trailer and calling it home. And even that would be ok only we also have a snow load of 77 pounds so require at least 80 pound roof load. We have 120 on the house and 100 on the garage. We do not want to worry about having to shovel snow as we get older. We only have one vent that needs to be kept clear. The whole house air exchange vent. So here is how it works here. If some one comes in with a request for a variance I need to look it up to see if what they are wanting to do it allowed some where in what they call appendix A. It is what is allowed in all zones of the city. So far no one has asked to build a smaller house. In fact there has only been ONE house built in the city in the last year and a half. And it was just a regular size house. I am not even sure of the SQ FT. Do not remember. Anyway this council is pretty easy going on what people want to do as long as it is not putting others in danger. Course there in only one McMansion and it really is not that large. There is a house a couple moles from us , not in the city for sale and it is 2500 SQ FT on 75 Acres. Certainly not a small home. Sure seems silly a city would require these large houses. I understand the taxes would be higher bringing more money into the city. But this is flat out wrong and I can say it will not happen here as long as the people keep the control of their city and not the bad boys trying to pad their pockets. I hope you can get it worked out. Chris
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Comments (83)
Kiki!!!! So glad to see you have appeared on the scene. Upgrading to 200 amp service is a great idea. And having a pro do it is the ONLY way to go. Be sure the paint job is done with lots of drop cloths to protect your lovely newly finished floors. We are doing the floors last, after the major portion of painting is done. But you do what you gotta do. If you have an option to have the kitchen done before you move in, ....that is, you have the time AND the money, decide what you need done and get it done before moving in. All of that work requires tearing into stuff, and lots of dust and cleaning chemicals and new flooring. You might even find that underneath the old flooring is good oak wood which can be refinished with the rest of your house. Lots of folks are going that route these days. If you decide to move in and do it later, a good contractor could get it done in a couple of weeks. That would be a good time to take a vacation. BUT, the dust would get all over everything in your house even if they are careful. it is easier to have workmen tromping around and through an EMPTY house than it is one you have treasured items in. Just the way I look at it. But very pleased to see you back with us. All of us here are passionate about your house. We love to hear what is happening.
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Shades_of_idaho
12 years ago
LOL Another cat lady. WE lost an old timer last week. Miss him terribly. We still have 8 left.Two inside and 6 outside and a couple that come to the porch to visit and snatch a meal.

So sorry about your DH's sister. That has to be ruff on all. That is such a tough disease.

How exciting you really are moving to Ireland. I think it is such a Beautiful romantic place. It is good you are currently living in a smaller place so you do not have many things you are attached to to have to move.

Here is a link that might be useful: The six porch kitties.
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
NEED A LAUGH ???: http://www.simonscat.com/Films/Let-Me-In/

my last post didn't go through will post comments about those kittys when I wake up :)
Shades_of_idaho
12 years ago
LOL oh Yes I know all about that one. Now we have a storm door in front of the long glass door and one kitty,Dusty, sticks her claws in the outer screen. She forgets she needs to pull claws back. Thanks for the laugh this morning.
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
You are quite welcome ShadesofIdaho-thank you for your kind words too
I watch those films over and over. I need to laugh...as not only is SIL gravely ill but my father passed away at the end of August.
I'm going to post some photos of HRH(her royal highness...)I really love this cat and am SOOOO HAPPY she didn't get out. I'm going to the farmer"s mkt on Friday to get her clams...
mama goose_gw zn6OH
12 years ago
EATREALFOOD, just checked the link--the cottage is charming! If I could choose any place outside NA to visit, it would be Scotland, Wales and Ireland. So sorry to hear about your father's passing--I hope you can find comfort in memories, and strength to face your SIL's illness.

shades, did you notice the mosaic floor in the cottage?
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you mama goose for your kind words, my sweetheart is due back this Sunday.
I like your "recycled" kitchen, nice & big and comfortable, great use of those cabinets.
Bealtaine Cottage blog is my favourite, it is so relaxing to look at the grounds and read about the seasons, cooking, canning etc. I love Jack and her cat. It's so cozy and I just realized that my furniture would look great there ! That's why I like it.
Need a laugh...if you have cats you understand, other films are hilarious see"Fly Guy" so typical..

Here is a link that might be useful: humorous cat link
pekemom
12 years ago
I live in a ranch that's 1640 sq ft. I think it's BIG.
Probably because it also has a 1240 sq ft basement, a 3 car
garage, and it's on an acre. There's just hubby and me,
and the peke.
These days it's considered a "small" house....
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
Hi pekemom--I really bet 1640 sq ft is big too when you have to clean it :) when you need to clean it all spaces are big...1240 is a large basement, the size of a another house and your garage is probably the size of my apt LOL
pekemom
12 years ago
Hi EATREALFOOD--Luckily the basement is just for storage,
I rarely go down there, and the house is only 6 years old
so the basement is still pretty clean.
Cleaning is easier in this house, before we had (still have
as a rental) a 1265sq ft ranch with full finished basement, 3 kids,
3 dogs, 3 cats, and fish. This one seems like a breeze in
comparison.
TxMarti
12 years ago
I am so dense. I've read this thread several times and wondered how you all knew about the cottage EATREALFOOD mentioned. I just saw the link. Duh!

But it's a beauty, and I've bookmarked the blog for future perusal. I didn't know you were in Ireland too. I've never been one for travel, but that is one place I'd like to visit, and do some research on genealogy.
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
marti8a, My sweetheart(from County.Kerry) has been there 5 weeks but is due back here tomorrow :) and I still didn't put blinds on the kitchen window ! I'm in trouble. We are going back in the Spring and renting before buying land/cottage. There's an interesting permaculture 2 year class we want to take in Co. Cork. We are taking our cat so we need to do her travel papers.
The link show's a cottage we like, but they need to drop the price. It's right down the road from one of my SIL's. At one point they wanted over 400Keuro for it(HA HA HA), I wouldn't buy it for more than 100Keuro(add about 32% to get USD)
We rented a house right in front of the Shannon(Querrin, Kilkee, Co. Clare) for 5 months(Winter/Spring) in 2009, walked to the beach down the road and took long walks to talk to all the animals in the field(our favourite was a goat, that was left alone).
I may need to invite you over once I get settled !

Here is a link that might be useful: kerryview cottage
User
12 years ago
Marti, don't feel bad, I just saw the whole thread!!!
Now where was it all this week? We got home on the Wed. before Thanksgiving, but maybe I was not cogent enough to even read. Double duhhhhh for me.

And EatRealFood, the info about your sweetie being from Co. Kerry is quite interesting. I drove around the Ring of Kerry in 2007, on our vacation, and never have felt so crowded for space in my life!!! A tiny car, narrow roads, and meeting TOUR BUSES. My DH is first generation Irish, both his parents were born in County Clare. You obviously have GOOD TASTE, choosing an Irishman ...... :)=

Nothing in Ireland is far from the ocean, one way or another, and it is lovely. I'll have to link you to my albums of photos taken on our trip that time. We flew into the Shannon airport. Took the Ballyhannon Coachhouse in Quin for what they call self catering, and I still correspond with the owners.
EATREALFOOD
Original Author
12 years ago
That's funny mocassinlanding, I feel exactly the opposite when I go there as all my in laws have farms and I live in 500sq/ft here!
The small cars never bother me, we own a V8 Toyota Carina 4 door and my SW took me for driving lessons on the beach...We were married in St. Mary's cathedral in Killarney, I'm sure you visited Killarney when you were there.In 2006 we took 4 months and took a week driving up along the coast Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Derry, Antrim to visit friends in Donegal & Derry. Achill Island in Mayo is beautiful. The ocean looked like it was part of the lawn at the B&B we stayed at.

Living in a ranch, bungalow or cottage under 2000 square feet?

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