How do people relax in huge houses?

[mrsbeeton999]

It’s probably something I’ll never need to worry about but I’ve just been looking at a bit of property porn - huge houses with indoor pool, gym, cinema room. I think I’d never be able to have a relaxing swim in the basement or shut myself in the cinema room as I’d be worried about security in the rest of the house. In my house I can pretty much see all the house from the lounge and it’s easy to check front and back door are locked. I know some people have staff but not everyone in these houses would. I don’t think I’d feel confident swimming or watching a film if I was home alone.

They probably have perimeter alarms they turn on when they’re home.

I've always thought that too, I'd prefer to feel cosy in a smaller house although wouldn't mind a pool and maybe an extra bedroom or two

I’d employ a big beefy security guard with my millions and cameras everywhere! I know what you mean though, it’d freak me out.
We back on to a wood and have very few neighbours, so I do get freaked out at times. I’ve got a Labrador but he would just show a burglar around plus he doesn’t bark either!

I used to live in several big houses (not a brag, I’m poor and rent now!) the first one I hated - it had several staircases and was never sure where bad guys could come from. The second house was still 7 bedrooms but MUCH more manageable. Only one set of stairs and all open plan off a big square hallway in like a U shape. That one was gated and alarmed and I felt totally safe. I’m in a 3 bed semi now and much prefer it though - if feels like I know where all the noises come from here?!

I grew up in a large farmhouse in the back of beyond, no swimming pool or basement cinema but big enough that you couldn't hear from one wing to the other. We never worried about burglars getting in, the house was never locked! I think if you've always lived somewhere where crime is rife you maybe have a different attitude.

I don't know but I'd like to give it a try.

I’m not great with dogs either so I’d be scared of having any dog scary enough to be a guard dog. I think hiring a big beefy security guard to patrol house 24 hours a day would be the only solution. He’d probably scare me too when he was creeping around!

When you're lying in bed so you worry about the front door? If you're in the bath do you work someone had broken in? If so I think you need to see someone about your anxiety

Very easily!

I don’t think there are queues of robbers just waiting to get in. Our house is remote, large and obvious, but never had any concerns and it is open all day long. People in the suburbs, side to side have more issues because thieves can just pop over a couple of fences and get lost.

@mrsbeeton999 you can get a camera system that links to your phone. It switches a light on outside and beeps when activated - and then you can watch what’s going on on your phone and check the perimeter / downstairs cameras. It sets off an alarm you can activate from your phone as well. It’s very reassuring!

Security alarms. But it's not that different from, say, being in my bathroom, which is internal with no windows –in theory someone could get in while I'm in there with the shower running/fan going and I'd be blissfully unaware.

Dogs

If you live in a low crime rate suburban area, you simply don't worry about someone kicking the door in. You can leave the front door open and usually all you'll see is tradies, families out, and school kids walking home.

You need to be quite wealthy (and flashy with it) before it tips the other way and raiders actively seek you out.

It's easy to relax in a big house, just have a comfy sofa. 🤷‍♀️

I ride around the house on my pony, that way if there's an intruder, I can gallop of to another wing!

Though I find the tigers in the gardens tend to put most burglars off...

Occasionally I worry if I hear a noise in the middle of the night but generally speaking it doesn't cross my mind.

But then I'm generally pretty chilled and love to relax.

Problem is you cannot hear someone knocking if you're half way to the other side of the house or upstairs. I got a doorbell camera for our main delivery door so that I don't miss parcels/postman. DH hates it

It really would depend on how ostentatious I was generally. If I had a really glitzy lifestyle with lots of diamonds and a safe full of cash I’d probably feel a lot more concerned than if I lived in an old rambling house with bigger all in there to Nick.

Also I find the pigeons and squirrels a good indicator. Hear a noise, look out of window: wildlife unbothered = no one was there, wildlife running for its life across the lawn = amazon delivery has arrived

I hadn't thought about security but I would be constantly wondering what the dcs were up to/trashing. I have 3 year old twins and I'm a bit twitchy if they are both is different rooms in our small semi.
Also the cleaning must be a complete nightmare but I guess if you live in a house of that size you probably have cleaners.

@W00t

I ride around the house on my pony, that way if there's an intruder, I can gallop of to another wing!

Though I find the tigers in the gardens tend to put most burglars off...

Tigers are a daft idea because they're solitary and territorial - they'll scare each other off. Also, they'll climb trees and drop on the ponies. You want lions.

I guess not having a fleet of amazing cars on the drive etc and not being too flashy deters intruders from queuing up ready to break in when you go for a swim. I bet the reason big celebs always have a house full of “friends “ is because they feel spooked being home alone

I've been thinking this too and it must be that they have really good security systems.

We have a family member who is a live in housekeeper at a huge old historic house. It has art work and antiques worth a fortune and is really isolated. I couldn't sleep there alone. Shudder.
I'm fine at home though. We have the worlds most gorgeous but most reliable guard dog (Lhasa Apso).

I agree OP. I have always wondered the same. Maybe they cover their corridors in gravel so they can hear someone coming...