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.

I leave the butler to worry about it.

@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...

I have wildebeest on my estate, the gamekeeper keeps them under control.

I was asked to house sit a huge house with 6 bedrooms, bathrooms, swimming pool, jacuzzi...HATED it. Didnt sleep, terrified at every noise, couldnt wait to get back to my little 1 bed

And then the owner and I fell out as she said I used her chip pan and I didnt, very weird!!

Sometimes I wonder about the other aspect of living in a big home - would it be like living in a posh hotel? At home you are free to come downstairs in the morning wearing pyjamas with bed hair, but if you have to greet the butler, under-butler and the maids who serve you breakfast then you dint have that liberty

You all sound quite twitchy -- do you live in high-crime areas?

I was living in an enormous house (borrowed) for a few months recently library, games room, cinema room, ten bedrooms, giant 19thc orangery, lots of empty former servants' quarters, as well as all the usual rooms and I can't say I gave security more than a passing thought. I mean, I put the burglar alarm on when I went out, because the owners asked me to, but never when I was in or at night, and a lot of the time it was just me and a seven year old. as DH was working abroad.

We're currently living in a house (also rented) in quite extensive woods, with no other dwelling anywhere near except the ruined castle for which our house was once the estate manager's house. The only thing that keeps me awake are the owls.

Security systems.
.
Mine notifies me through my phoneanytime one of my exterior doors or windows are opened including windows. I can also check security cameras through my phone

@AngryBananaSund

Sometimes I wonder about the other aspect of living in a big home - would it be like living in a posh hotel? At home you are free to come downstairs in the morning wearing pyjamas with bed hair, but if you have to greet the butler, under-butler and the maids who serve you breakfast then you dint have that liberty

I think I’m right in thinking that if you worry about what the butler thinks of you it means you’re not right for such a lavish lifestyle 😂

They have cameras on all around the perimeter. They have steel doors. They are not as worried about losing personal possessions because they have so much money- less anxiety about ‘things’. They have areas of the house that are used more and more ‘cosy’. This is one of my mega rich A list friends anyway! Def not me unfortunately.

@Leaannb

Security systems. . Mine notifies me through my phoneanytime one of my exterior doors or windows are opened including windows. I can also check security cameras through my phone

Does it make your heart beat a bit when you get a notification?

I don't have mental health issues so obviously am not worried all the time about burglars as I don't need to see every area of the house to know burglars have not smashed their way in!

My house is large. I don't leave the doors or windows open downstairs and the windows have locks on, etc. The security lights outside at night go on if anyone goes near. I never feel in the slightest bit frightened. I am not a scardey cat. Why are people so weak these days?

Angry,I agree. We used to have a housekeeper/cleaner every morning in the week ( as well as a daily nanny for the 5 children) but when the youngest went to university I just took back the cleaning myself as it is not nice to have people in the house in my view although it was definitely needed when we both worked full time and had 5 children in a big house.

However being in a nice big house is lovely. Every single day I am absolutely delighted to live here.

[quote W00t]**@MissLucyEyelesbarrow* 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*

Damn! I typed lions first, then altered it because tigers sounded more lavish![/quote]
Ah well, you'll know for next time.

When I lived in a big house in a fairly isolated area, I asked the local Crime Prevention Officer for advice as I was frequently alone.
Proper locks on all points of entry, re-inforced doors, a sophisticated alarm system, & gravel all around the house - sorted.

We got burgled because my idiot DH at the time didn't set the alarm when he left the house one day when I was away.

If you live in a low crime rate suburban area, you simply don't worry about someone kicking the door in

Where is this wondrous utopia?

Oh, another feature, we have keyless entry on the main doors.
Just a keypad and I change the code every few days, the door automatically locks behind you.

That definitely adds to peace of mind.

The security lights outside at night go on if anyone goes near. I never feel in the slightest bit frightened. I am not a scardey cat. Why are people so weak these days?
I've had someone break in to my old flat before when I was sleeping, doesn't make someone weak to be frightened by the prospect of that happening again.

@Xenia

I don't have mental health issues so obviously am not worried all the time about burglars as I don't need to see every area of the house to know burglars have not smashed their way in!

My house is large. I don't leave the doors or windows open downstairs and the windows have locks on, etc. The security lights outside at night go on if anyone goes near. I never feel in the slightest bit frightened. I am not a scardey cat. Why are people so weak these days?

Angry,I agree. We used to have a housekeeper/cleaner every morning in the week ( as well as a daily nanny for the 5 children) but when the youngest went to university I just took back the cleaning myself as it is not nice to have people in the house in my view although it was definitely needed when we both worked full time and had 5 children in a big house.

However being in a nice big house is lovely. Every single day I am absolutely delighted to live here.

You sound very no nonsense - I’m picturing a Princess Anne type

Barky dog & cameras.

My house isn’t ‘huge’ but it is pretty big at 4000sqft ish and on a large plot of land. I live in a low crime area but there is still crime and it is mostly of the burglary/opportunistic theft type. We have locked gates and high fences/hedges on the perimeter as well as a large barky dog (friendly with us but wary of unwelcome strangers) and cameras. Doors are locked when not in use and windows are closed when we’re upstairs as a few years ago there was a spate of opportunistic car thefts from people slipping in open windows and taking car keys, then returning later that night to take the car.

People nearby whose gardens back onto a disused railway line are well known for having their bikes stolen and and sheds ransacked by walkers climbing over the fence.

Surely you mean burglars disguised as walkers? I really can't imagine ramblers & hikers suddenly having an urge to climb a fence to burgle some outbuildings.

@CountFosco

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.

Me too. We never locked the doors until bed time and I never worried about anyone breaking in. I think it would be different these days as there's a lot more rural crime.

I use to nanny for a very wealthy family and I hated the over nights I could never sleep. Private road, huge driveway and huge house. One night the mother Wakes me up to tell me the electrics have gone out and she's worried someone might be trying to get through the gates, terrified was an understatement.
I take my cosy semi house ANY DAY

I live in a big house, often alone, and the thought of being scared to watch a film in case someone is breaking in to another area of my house has never crossed my mind!

I’ve been watching Selling Sunsets and I really want a swimming pool now.

I’m not afraid of burglars really, but read and watch too many scary things!

@Candyfloss99

I live in a big house, often alone, and the thought of being scared to watch a film in case someone is breaking in to another area of my house has never crossed my mind!

Even if you’re watching Taken or Panic Room?