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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

about the size of my house?

135 replies

secretofcrickleyhall · 15/03/2013 22:07

I own (outright, no mortgage) a three bedroomed terraced house. It's not a large home but it is a lovely one. There is a small garden, beautiful views and it's in a really nice location near parks and our little town centre - just perfect. However, my dad claims it's too small to be a 'family home Hmm

I wondered what sort of homes you all lived in ... ? Confused

OP posts:
ToTeachOrNotToTeach · 15/03/2013 22:10

I think you're incredibly unusual to own outright and in a very fortunate position. Sounds great!

AgentZigzag · 15/03/2013 22:10

Never mind about how big our houses are, why are you putting so much emphasis on what your Dad thinks?

And why does he think he has the right to comment on the size of your house?

Have you got any children?

If not, how many are you thinking of having?

lysteddy · 15/03/2013 22:10

i live in a 1 bed tiny flat with Dp and Dd its a home with a family living there dont know what else to say..

WorraLiberty · 15/03/2013 22:11

How can you possibly be unreasonable?

Unless of course you've got 16 kids or something.

Hassled · 15/03/2013 22:11

It sort of intends on how many children you intend to have. Fine for 2 or 3, less fine for 6, say.

someoftheabove · 15/03/2013 22:12

Five of us in a two up, two down terraced cottage. Garden the size of a postage stamp. No door on the bathroom. Shared a bedroom with my older sister and younger brother until I was 14.

Original poster
secretofcrickleyhall · 15/03/2013 22:12

Well, I didn't think I was, but my dad seemed so pertured by the thought of me having a child 'in that little house' I really thought I'd missed a trick.

Agent - no children, am only planning on one but we'll see!

OP posts:
OrangeLily · 15/03/2013 22:14

We have a 4 bed house for me and DH. Hopefully it won't be long until we fill another bedroom.

Marcheline · 15/03/2013 22:15

Why does it matter what your dad thinks?

A 3 bed house is more than Big enough to be a 'family home'. Yours sounds lovely and you are very lucky to be on such a position.

Ignore your dad and enjoy living in your nice house.

AgentZigzag · 15/03/2013 22:15

The area's important too.

We moved somewhere a bit more rural when DD1 was 2 just because she didn't have anywhere to run about where we were, just concrete and more concrete.

But come on, would you really move because your Dad wasn't happy with the house you'd chosen?

lysteddy · 15/03/2013 22:16

Did u grow up in a large house OP?

Kithulu · 15/03/2013 22:17

There are 5 of us (and 5 pets) in a tiny 2 bed terraced house. We have mortgage but cannot afford a bigger one.
It sounds as if your home is lovely and you are happy there. Your Dad is off his rocker I'm afraid.

yaimee · 15/03/2013 22:17

A very similar one to yours by the sounds of it. A family home isn't just about size, all the things you mentioned like parks, shops, nice schools etc matter just as much!

Marcheline · 15/03/2013 22:18

Sorry, just saw your question. We live in a 3 bed semi detached cottage ina lovely village with a very big garden. Before DD2 came along we lived in a tiny 2 up 2 down old workers cottage. Now that was a small house!

Original poster
secretofcrickleyhall · 15/03/2013 22:19

I wouldn't move, no - I just was genuinely a bit taken aback he seemed so certain my house would be too small for a family! I grew up in a 3 bed house as well, though larger than mine - more of a cottage/farmhouse. I did wonder if it was more the garden, but it's an adequate size, not massive but not tiny either. God knows!

OP posts:
HamAlive · 15/03/2013 22:19

We have a mortgage on a small 2 bed terrace and have one child. I think you're fine!

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 15/03/2013 22:21

We upsized to a four bed detached in case we wanted more children (which we now don't Confused) which I was perfectly happy in. However I have just returned from a friends newly renovated enormous Georgian house which could fit my entire house in the kitchen/breakfast/family room and now I have property envy.

AgentZigzag · 15/03/2013 22:21

A one bed flat is big enough for a baby, when they start being mobile and you out grow it, you move.

Once you buy a house, you don't have to stop there.

AryaStarksDancingMaster · 15/03/2013 22:21

3 bedrooms seems plenty for most families, and being near parks and the town centre will be really valuable with little ones. Who wants the extra cleaning and hoovering of more rooms than you need? Better to use a smaller amount of space efficiently - you are so lucky to have no mortgage, don't think of taking one on for the dubious benefit of more rooms until such time as you actually start feeling over crowded.

We are very happy and comfortable in a modest 3-bed. I think that we would try and move as and when we got to a situation of having older teenagers who would be less keen to share a bedroom, but not till then. Stay put where you are happy.

idiuntno57 · 15/03/2013 22:23

we live in a huge stately home. Isn't that the norm??

Actually 4.5 bedroom house. x4 DS plus occasional granny. It is cosy for us. Huge for family of 3.Everything is relative.

PureedGoodness · 15/03/2013 22:23

Your house sounds lovely

Original poster
secretofcrickleyhall · 15/03/2013 22:24

I know what you mean Agent, I think though that if I was to move I'd take on a mortgage and I'm not sure if I'd get one as an 'older' customer, although admittedly I am not sure at what age that would apply Grin

OP posts:
WhinyCrabbyPeople · 15/03/2013 22:24

YANBU...we have three children and the gorgeous 'big family home' I didn't grow up in. It's very, very expensive...cripplingly so. My kids are school-age so most of the time it's just me rattling around in it. I want to go on holiday! I want to go back to school! My dream house is a cozy, three-bed Victorian semi The boys could share and then there'd be no room for guests.

You sound very wise and if I was your parent I'd be proud, not critical.

NaturalBaby · 15/03/2013 22:26

When we moved into our 3 bed townhouse, my parents insisted on a regular basis it was totally unsuitable for children. We converted the loft and our oldest is nearly 5. The benefits of the location have outweighed the lack of living space.

Original poster
secretofcrickleyhall · 15/03/2013 22:26

Aw bless you Whiny thanks :)

I think he's just very worried about me being a parent so is coming up with all sorts of daft reasons to put me off!

OP posts:
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