We've only had three houses in 35 years together (we hate moving). Our first house was a small starter home in FL. It was fine until our son came along, and suddenly 800 sq ft was cramped. We moved to a typical tract home of 1600 sq ft only a mile from the first one. it was- OK. We were busy raising a family and working, so the house was just a place to stay. Very cramped neighborhood- 6-8 houses per acre.

For our empty nest, we went off in a different direction. We bought 7 acres of woods in upstate SC, as we missed the seasons living in FL. I took 4 years off of work, and built our house and barn mostly single-handed. I'm not a builder, and never tackled this huge before. We designed the house ourselves, too.

We love everything about our (hopefully) last home. We designed it for the way we live. Beautiful views in all directions. Very energy efficient, strong, and quiet (ICF). We find the SC climate close to ideal, with tolerable summers and short, mild winters. A little snow once in a while keeps it interesting. Our house is just one bedroom and 1400 square feet. This gives a large kitchen, large master bath, big walk-in master closet, etc. The walk-out basement is also 1400 sq ft, and fully insulated, so we could easily double the size of the house. Oh yeah- this is also the first house we've had that was paid for!

All in all, I think we did a pretty good job of fixing everything that was wrong with our previous homes.

Ideally an SFR with a basement in large land/open spaces and distant/few nosy and interfering neighbors. Having moved continents a few times, building custom dream homes along the way, including a large bangalow I personally remodelled/rebuilt, we love and loved almost every place and continent we lived in our lives. On the outside it looks very envious however it's not been an easy ride, though I've been able to hide my fears and emotions. Lived in 120sf to almost unlimited and everything in-between; have no 'valid' excuse for what we are currently building. Never won the lottery, lots of hard work.

Bring out the violin. Like most, I strived and struggled to provide the best comforts to my family, often defying common sense, aiming for the moon, taking serious financial risks, however was plain lucky to get away with it. I write this in the first person, since DW generally disagreed with my outrageous plans, however relunctantly went along until such time she was sure I'd got away with it and had overcome risks.

We can only remember a brief six month 'accommodation related' miserable period in our lives, when we returned back to the UK, had no jobs and put up living in emergency housing in a 12' x 10' room with our two kids, who were 1 and 6 at the time.

The world and nature have been kind to us and we're ever so grateful.

A classic two story Georgian with a center hall. And no, I've never lived in one! While my present house of 33 years is a 1 1/2 story traditional house, I have learned to love it. I love the size of the rooms, that I have a sunroom and a separate breakfast room, an enormous MBR with a fireplace, and it's been remodeled/decorated to my taste. It still has halls which are far too narrow/small for graciousness, a very ordinary stairway which is also too narrow, and on the first floor, 8' ceilings which are too low. But I still like it better than anything out there in my price range. Perfection takes a LOT of money!

The one I'm building now.

I've lived in so many homes, but my favorite was a single-story in a gated community, with a country club next door. We got to it by strolling through a desert garden, then a walled passageway, and my toddler and I had breakfast or lunch -- or both! -- almost every day for two months. The house was a lot of glass but deep soffits to keep out the heat. It was wonderful. We were there two months while DH worked a short flight away.

So the experience was wonderful. But I also liked a lot of things about the layout of the house: H-shape, room placements, private courtyards, lots of windows. It's now the "starting point" for the "house in my head".

edited to add one thing I didn't like? The kitchen was too big! Too long, and just not laid out as I like it.

What we have now, our primary residence and our beach house. Our primary residence is a custom build, center hall brick colonial. Very traditional design and finishes, formal feeling. Spent 2 years building it and have the piece of mind of knowing it is a very well built house designed for our needs. Our 2200 sq. ft. beach house is completely the opposite of our primary home. It's less than half the size, so it's easy to clean and maintain. It is the opposite of formal. Casual and beachy. A block from the ocean and bay. Its a very relaxed lifestyle when we are there and a true getaway.

If I had the money, talking the kind that would probably run a cool million, I would live in a huge old Victorian. One that was restored or kept in perfect condition through the years with a wonderful secluded garden. My dream house. I actually currently live in our "forever" home. We custom built it 2 years ago for our retirement. One story, 3 bed, 2 bath large corner lot.

We are building a house that I hope that we will love. Just a regular 3 story box in the city. The only thing that would make it better would be a bigger lot, so that we could make the house a little bit bigger and a fabulous view.... and I would love to hear trains. And see them in the distance. I love trains and the sounds of the horns....is that weird?

One with no living neighbours.

Being that lakefront property is unaffordable, I'm otherwise building my dream house. Rural, walk -out basement, wooded, room for livestock, and my books. Good friends within reasonable driving dstance.

We've lived in 6 homes in our 7 years of marriage. Two of those we owned. They were: a two story townhouse (owned), hi-rise condo, tiny bungalow, slightly larger bungalow, yet another tiny bungalow (built in the 1930s that we rebuilt), and back to a hi-rise condo. We are building our dream house - a mid century modern inspired one level on 2.25 acres. Our ideal is land, privacy, and lots of windows. Simple spaces, not too big. Our home will be 2200 sf.

One with no living neighbours.

Worthy, my friend's house is, indeed, surrounded on two sides by a cemetary.

Bpathome

That's on my list, quiet neighbors!! I find it rather peculiar, that most people want quiet neighbors, yet so many neighbors are noisy and inconsiderate. So where are all the people that want quiet neighbors? Are they the noisy neighbors themselves?

Zorro, you are so right. In my community, a few of us still mow our own lawns. DH used a push mower for years, but eventually went back to a power mower. Our neighbor uses a power mower. When I mentioned that DH had switched, she said "yes, I noticed. The push mower was nice and quiet." LOL! DH is very careful not to mow too early or after 5 when people might be grilling out (unlike some...)

Power equipment and kids playing, not a bother at all. Someone building a house next door only makes me long to be at it myself!

It's purposeless noise, especially chained yakking canines, that drives me around the bend. And property damage that neighbours refuse to remedy or cease. Such as our trees scorched by their fires, regularly set trash fires (totally illegal), and in one case, channeling water from their leaking roof to the middle of our bedroom ceiling. The wonders of attached century homes with common attics!

I love Greek revival farmhouses and tiny fairytale style cottages. I'm hoping to someday build both on a large piece of property. The farmhouse will be where my family lives, and the cottage will be set in the woods and will be where my parents live for part of the year. Storybook Homes has the small plans I'd love to build. The Tudor revival we are in now is another style I love, I just hate that we are only on a quarter of an acre and that I am always aware of what my neighbors are doing. I want a place where I can step outside and not see 15-20 other houses. I'd love to be able to see zero, but I'd take five or less being visible too . I also want it to be functional for a family but under 2800 sq ft. I'm not a fan of giant homes with spaces that are never used.

I am completely happy in my 1950's single story (ranch) suburban home. This is my last house, I downsized last year. When I am tired of maintaining this house (15 to 20 years from now) I'll move into a senior community. I have wonderful neighbors.

I started with a 2 family house in my early 20's, purchased with my Mom who was a real estate investor at the time. After many years there and acquiring some equity, I sold my share to Mom and bought a single family home in the town I grew up in.

After I finished my MBA, I decided I needed a new challenge, so I bought a small farm with 20 acres. I thought the farm would be my "forever" home, until the work of maintaining it and the commute got to be too much after 20 years.

So I cringe when I hear all these people talk about their "forever" home, life changes. And living in the country, noises travel ... so you hear other people on their farm equipment, mowers, chain saws, etc. It's not always as peaceful as people imagine, especially during hunting seasons.

I downsized from the farm to a small ranch in a suburb, and am loving it!