Single people, how big is your house?

[PandoraRocks]

Not being nosey just genuinely wondering if you are happy living in a house that convention dictates is too big for you.

This question was prompted by my DP who claims that my house is too big for me, I will lose money renovating it and I won't be able to afford to heat it. Apparently, a 2 bed bungalow would suit me better . What a cheek!

The house in question is inherited from my late parents and I've been living here for 3 years. Only heat a couple of rooms at present as it's electric heating. It has 3 bedrooms, a tiny box room, a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and garage. It is detached on a large plot of land. I may live here long term, I may sell it but surely that is up to ME. My parents weren't wealthy but worked damn hard all their lives and I know my mum wanted me to enjoy this place.
I don't have kids and don't cohabit.
This is my last chance to have a lovely house. Please don't tell me I should be unselfishly living in a flat so I can free up my house for a Millennial.
I also suspect my DP has his own motives for his ideas (backstory referred to elsewhere on Mnet).

For what it's worth, I'm self employed and need space. I also hope to entertain and have friends over once lockdown ends.
Do you think there is a societal expectation that single people should be happy with less?

I have a three bed ground floor HA flat.

Red flags from DP OP! Why is he dictating how/where you live?

I live in a 1 bed flat. It's all I could afford and am still struggling with mortgage and bills. Having said that, I have room for a 7 foot sofa and a small dining table which has had to go into the garage to make way for a desk, though it doesn't feel cramped. I have a private garden too which is a luxury for a flat in the outskirts of London!

When I was single I had a one bedroom flat but your place sounds perfect, and it's lovely that it was your parents' house. It's up to you, please don't feel forced into selling.

You don’t have to justify your house choice to him or anyone! If a single person can afford to live in a mansion and it makes them happy it’s no one else’s business, you live where you like OP and don’t let him make you feel bad about it, enjoy your lovely home!

Large 2 bed new build. (Single parent)

May I be the first to tell you that your have a DP problem and not a house problem?

I think what makes the difference here is in what context it was said.
Did you ask his opinion?
Or did he innocently ask: "Do you not feel a bit lost in such a big house?"
Or "Would you not feel more comfortable in a smaller house?" Etc

Or did he say in a judgemental tone:
"You're selfish, you should be living in a smaller house and free up housing for a family who need it!"

If the former then I think that's a perfectly valid question to ask a partner if you're genuinely curious. If it's the latter then he's a dick. A sanctimonious one!

My parents bought our house from a 'Lady Doctor' in about 1972. She lived alone (looking back she probably had a housekeeper).

It had 6 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, and a big garden.

Definitely a partner problem...

Not a single person so not in the same boat but see absolutely no issue with you living in your family home which is presumably also mortgage free. Single person in family size social housing is a completely different issue and is keeping a family from housing they require.

As someone who also has electric heating have you looked at the government green energy £5,000 grants? I haven't delved too deeply as our system is less than 5 years old so can't really justify removing but the heat pump systems could be worth looking at while there is a good chunk towards it.

Large two bed flat. I rent. Any boyfriend that commented on whether I should live here or not would be out pretty quickly.

I have a small three bedroomed detached house. However I run a business from home. The very small bedroom (really just a box room) is my home office and the other bedroom is my stock room. I dont keep a spare bedroom because I dont want to encourage any overnight visitors. Too fond of my own space.

Neighbour is in the 'executive' house on our road. All by himself. 5 beds.

2 bed semi. Large front and back garden, huge conservatory, on my own- still not enough room. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Single people are like gases. We expand to fill all available space.

Also, fuck him.

Diferent country and continent but i live in a lovely 3 bedroom home with a 2 cars garage and my bedroom is huge. Some people have told me i shouldn't live here ias it can be "dangerous". The standard in my country is a small 2 bed flat for a single person. I love my home.

Now my DP is living with me but i lived alone in my home for years.

3 bedhouse with living room dining room kitchen 2 bathrooms and laundry room. I do have 2 children but plan on staying here long after they have moved out. Its my home am comfortable and happy here am staying.

Yes there's an expectation and no, they can all fuck right off with their expectations 😂

Two beds, one bath, one converted garage office, one studio up the road, two cats, one boat and at one point two cars. Renovated when I moved in, furnished and decorated exactly how I like it and all for meeeeeee I'm very happy and very unrepentant about it. If I can afford it why should I squidge myself somewhere small because the world is geared for couples and families?

Fwiw I think this is my forever home but if I could have afforded bigger I'd have gone a bit bigger :)

4 bed with garden and garage.

Family homes typically increase in Value faster than smaller properties so even if its not forever and your single it makes sense to try and get as big and family friendly as you can wffors

Afford, sorry missed that one

You’ll hate me OP, I have a 2 bedroomed bungalow!

I have a large open plan living/dining/kitchen and a decent sized garden. I’m not fond of housework or clutter so a big house wouldn’t suit me (I used to live in a much bigger house with rooms which I hardly ever went in) and most of my friends are local so don’t need to stop overnight. Those are my personal preferences though, I wouldn’t expect everyone to feel the same or care if they make different choices.

3 bed detached.

My first house was a three bed terrace. A friend who is also single came round after I’d bought it and asked if I felt like I was rattling round. Then kept going on about me rattling round. If a boyfriend had done that he would’ve been dumped.

Well, it's far from unheard of on here for people to say it's selfish and immoral to have more bedrooms than you absolutely need, when there are families who don't have enough space for a bedroom each. So there are people on Mumsnet who agree with your DP (I don't).

2 bed flat

I've read your hpuse renovation threads with interest because I'm in the same position of inheriting my Mother's house that needed work doing on it. We are similar ages. He has an agenda behind wanting you out of that house and I think that your concerns about buying a house together have been valid. I'd have a proper think about how you want your 60's and 70's to look. If your renovations have gone as you wanted, then stay put. You've got space for friends to stay over. Which as we age can work out better than rushing around. You've got space for work and later on any hobbies. No neighbours to bother you. People tend to downsize to release money, often being generous with their children. Or when Widowed to have spends for travel etc. Not just because they are single.

3 bed, 2 bathroom detached house. Bought it on my own 17 years ago and still on my own now. I've worked hard to pay for it and I use all the rooms.