Laura Corin Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Of course we haven't seen any houses in Scotland yet, but through the wonders of modern technology I'm doing a lot of distance house hunting. I can't show you the pages - in case one of them ends up being our address - but there are three categories that we could afford: 1) Beautiful, large (five bedrooms), rambling Victorian stone-built farmhouses with a lot of land for the kids to disappear into. Lacking central heating and double glazing; kitchens and bathrooms may well be older than I am; all carpets/curtains/paintwork needing to be done over. 2) Smaller (3 bed) recent conversions, often former stone barns/stables. In good condition. No work to be done, except cosmetic. Usually little land, but Scotland has right-to-roam legislation, so neighbouring farmland is open for them to wander. 3) Spacious (4 bed) modern houses. No serious work needed. Little land, but adjacent to farmland (see above). I have no fear of old buildings (grew up in a house dated 1779) and we could afford to renovate #1 slowly: central heating and double glazing before winter; the rest over the next couple of years. However, that would cause a fair amount of disruption, and I'm not sure if that's fair on the kids. We do like the idea of having a bit of land though. #2 is fine, but we were hoping to get a place where it would be easy to welcome guests. #3 is the safe option, but I do like the feel of old buildings... Your thoughts? Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah in tenn Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I love old, historic homes. There is something comforting about being one family who shares in the history with another from the past. I know this may sound strange, but does one of them feel happier/ comforting? I have been in 7 houses in 15 years, and I remember the first time I walked in to each one even if it was months before we came back around to it. May the best house win. sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Of course we haven't seen any houses in Scotland yet, but through the wonders of modern technology I'm doing a lot of distance house hunting. I can't show you the pages - in case one of them ends up being our address - but there are three categories that we could afford: 1) Beautiful, large (five bedrooms), rambling Victorian stone-built farmhouses with a lot of land for the kids to disappear into. Lacking central heating and double glazing; kitchens and bathrooms may well be older than I am; all carpets/curtains/paintwork needing to be done over. 2) Smaller (3 bed) recent conversions, often former stone barns/stables. In good condition. No work to be done, except cosmetic. Usually little land, but Scotland has right-to-roam legislation, so neighbouring farmland is open for them to wander. 3) Spacious (4 bed) modern houses. No serious work needed. Little land, but adjacent to farmland (see above). I have no fear of old buildings (grew up in a house dated 1779) and we could afford to renovate #1 slowly: central heating and double glazing before winter; the rest over the next couple of years. However, that would cause a fair amount of disruption, and I'm not sure if that's fair on the kids. We do like the idea of having a bit of land though. #2 is fine, but we were hoping to get a place where it would be easy to welcome guests. #3 is the safe option, but I do like the feel of old buildings... Your thoughts? Laura #1 - it sounds stunning!! Of course, I've been married for 15 years and we've been remodeling something ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in CA Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I love # 1 followed by #2 and then #3 in last what fun, I didn't know you were moving to Scotland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newbie Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I vote nbr 1 too, but its going to be a lot of work. Are you going to live in Scotland long. What a change from China. Jet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unicorn. Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 #1- hands down! I'm already jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 I vote nbr 1 too, but its going to be a lot of work. Are you going to live in Scotland long. So at least ten years. I currently would like to stay put for the rest of my life, but we may get itchy feet again at some point. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide eyes & laughter Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 ... and less work - especially the sweat equity kind. If you can hire out, disregard. If you can get a housekeeper, disregard:) Otherwise, I'm for using my time to invest in my children directly. I'm currently living in a house larger than what we need and the upkeep is often frustrating for me. I am by no means a perfectionist - if you came to my home you'd see plenty left undone, btw. My dc are getting older and are able and expected to take on more tasks, but I am also taking on "more" in the form of researching curricula and planning lessons - the older they get, the more time I need for this it seems (ages 9, 7, 5). Just my 2cents. Btw, Laura, we are still rdg Swallows & Amazons - just finished Peter Duck! And have ordered the next 3 :D Take care. Said a prayer for your family's next home! Cheryl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandy in Indy Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I live in a #1 type house, and while I love it, there are days that I long for better insulation, windows that don't leak and central air. (We've insulated all we can; the historic district would make us put up the same windows and central air isn't in my budget!) I'd still probably choose the larger, older home if you can afford to have the work done to make it livable (by whatever standard you call livable). Scotland...I would LOVE to see Scotland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I would go for number one. My sons would jump at the chance to get involved in renovating their own home. Even just the opportunity to watch would thrill them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Number one hands down! How many people get a chance to live in a house like that? Plus, you'll have room when we all visit. :ROFL: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra in FL Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 We live in a house that's not considered too old (1967), but I'm tired of the high electricity bills (from old, uninsulated windows). I'm also not into the renovating as it always costs more than one expects. I'm afraid to change anything because then everything else will look old and shabby next to it. One ds has severe allergies and who knows what would happen if anything major in the house is disturbed. A friend of mine is renovating and her daughter has broken out in hives. So it's visits to the allergist, blood tests, etc. to try to find out what she's allergic to on top of all the stress from the renovation. I hope that after the renovations, her daughter is okay but you never know. HTH, Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Without a doubt, #1. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Number one hands down! How many people get a chance to live in a house like that? Plus, you'll have room when we all visit. :ROFL: Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Laura As soon as you close on the "cool" house, I'll send you our travel dates. :lol::lol::lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 As soon as you close on the "cool" house, I'll send you our travel dates. :lol::lol::lol::lol: To Scotland in the autumn to stay in a house that doesn't have central heating yet. Cool indeed. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I would go for number one. My sons would jump at the chance to get involved in renovating their own home. Even just the opportunity to watch would thrill them. Having just spent the better part of two years renovating, I can honestly say that the life skills my girls have learned have been incredible. We've definitely made it a family affair (we're DIYers). Additionally, I watched my parents do the same thing when I was a teen. It took them a year. *30* years later, our entire extended family continues to enjoy the fruit of their labor. We hope the same will be said for our home. Certainly, there are moments when dh worries he's lost too much time from the kids but the girls immediately reply with something to the effect that they are so thankful we've done what we've done and that they *have* had great times with him (working and otherwise). (We were very careful to take a couple weeks of vacation each year during this time to ensure downtime in the midst of it all). I guess I've shared all that to say I vote for #1. :001_smile: Happy decision making! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 No 1 has my head spinning with envy! If its built from stone, and Scotland's cooler (I think) anyway, you may not need a/c. I would buy a fan.:drool5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 #1, 3, 2 But i'd go for it - i hope that we can see pictures at some point!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Atl Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 If I had the money and knew this was where we would stay for a long time... #1 all the way. Love old houses! The other two seem the same to me, it would depend on the area (how close to places I would want to go). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mamagistra Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Number one hands down! How many people get a chance to live in a house like that? Plus, you'll have room when we all visit. :iagree: Can we have a haggis when we come? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 LOVE LOVE LOVE old houses, and all the stories they have to tell, just waiting for you and your boys to discover! :-) Best of luck in your decision! Astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in Orlando Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 :iagree: Can we have a haggis when we come? :D :lol::lol:We'll get a charter flight to Laura's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karenciavo Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 #1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-FL Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Since I'm living in a never-ending renovation project, I'd go w/#3. Old houses are great and I do love them, BUT living through project after project stinks. W/your dc being really too young to do much construction work, it all falls on you & dh & whomever you hire. If your dh is like mine & can do "everything," that's great except that he still has to work to pay for the place which leaves him little time to do the house projects. That means it either takes 40x longer to complete or you pay someone else. I'd like to have a house to live in, not be the #1 thing in my life. Even new houses have projects to do, but they're not as major as a totally new central heat system (in Scotland, that sounds pretty important), and non-drafty windows. Sorry to be a sour-grape, but JMO, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in Ohio Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 I vote for #3. I like old houses if things are livable or if you can hire someone to do the repairs. DIY projects always seem to be more trouble than one expects and too stressful on the family to live through. (My dad always wanted to build his own house. When I was in fourth grade he started it. My parents live in the house today and it is still only half done!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyFL Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 from listening to your descriptions, that you have your heart wrapped up in #1 already. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 When the cost of electricity goes through the roof like gas (predicted to happen in the near future) you'll be glad you have a small house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Alfred Academy Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 My vote is #1...definitely! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 :iagree: Can we have a haggis when we come? :D I'll send the boys out to set traps. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 No 1 has my head spinning with envy! If its built from stone, and Scotland's cooler (I think) anyway, you may not need a/c. I would buy a fan.:drool5: Old houses need central heating systems - usually gas or oil, used for heating radiators in each room. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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