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.

There’s plenty of rural crime but criminals typically target outbuildings for tools and farm machinery, from what I have heard - it’s easier to get at and is what farmers tend to spend their money on. Heating oil theft is a thing too shock

Yes, definitely. Farmer down the road from us had his quad bike stolen. They are massively popular with thieves.

He also had his horse box stolen although that turned out to be local youths he knew and it was left in a field undamaged thankfully. It was all settled privately by the lads having to do a load of wood chipping for him at a weekend .

And we've had our oil siphoned off by thieves. We've improved the security massively since. It's a bit worrying though because it must be locals because it happened just after the fuel had been delivered.

And I've found a guy wandering around on our drive "looking for old metal" cheeky as you like. He didn't stop walking around when challenged and was as cool as a cucumber. That threw me a bit because most folk who are genuinely lost are lovely. I reckon he was casing the joint or trying to nick something opportunistically as he was alone and driving a small Renault.

So all of that is a bit worrying. But generally, what people don't understand is, that if you live in a rural location where there are a few other houses dotted about (not talking about the middle of the Highlands or somewhere where you are completely isolated) every single person generally knows your private business and your comings and goings because you all share the same plumbers/farriers/handymen etc who all talk to one another and you share the same small roads so your movements are noted. It's only in town you can be completely private and anonymous.