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?

You don't need to justify this to anyone. Enjoy your home, sounds great.

My first house that I bought was a 3 (4 if you counted the cellar room after I converted it) bed end terrace that I lived in alone. Had a DP and lodgers at different times so had 4 adults living there at some points. It was fine alone.

I am currently single living in another 3 bed end terrace with a large front and back garden. I have one lodger but would be perfectly happy living alone. If current BF ends up moving in, will probably leave off lodgers.

I don't think I'll ever buy less than a 3 bed since I like the downstairs space which is usually terribly poky with fewer than 3.

I have three bedrooms and two bathrooms in my tall thin mid-terrace - just for me, and it's lovely!

The smallest bedroom is my office - I wfh all the time, and means I can keep my work out of the rest of the house. The second bedroom is for guests or laundry when there are no guests, and the extra bathroom means that when guests do visit we're not falling over each other - it also means I've got a bathroom next to my bedroom and another which is more accessible for daytime use.

My intention is to remain here until I can't manage the stairs!

We’ve got a large house for 3 of us: but it’s been really good in lockdown as we have separate rooms to work in, and a playroom to keep all our sons mess in. We will probably downsize when older.

If I was a single person, 3 bed flat would be ideal: one room for me (with en suite), a spare room for guests and a room to work from home in.

Two bed modern mid terrace. Second bedroom and kitchen are absolutely tiny. But everything else is good size.

When I was single I lived in one or two bed new build flats in the city centre, usually new builds with good sized rooms and a balcony.

I am going to overstep the mark here but lose the dp, keep the house.
He has plans to make your money into his money and this is his subtle way of starting that process.
Once he is out of the way, make your decision about whether you want to hold onto the house and all those memories or start afresh.
No matter how much you love 'dp', he is only showing you what he wants you to see, you won't meet the real him until he gets what he's after. Never underestimate how manipulative people are when it comes to money.
I cannot stress this enough.

I lived in a flat before I inherited a house. I love my big house.

I have only ever been able to afford a studio or one bedroom flat. The flats have varied in size between around 50m2 and 65 m2 so quite small.
I sometimes dream about a bigger place, either house or flat, but not sure whether I'd really go for it if I could afford it. I do think there is a moral issue about under-occupied houses.

Three bed/two reception largish victorian terrace.
Was my home with my kids/husband until kids moved out and husband died.
And when I eventually move - it will be to nothing smaller than another three bedder if not a four bedder because I don't want to reduce downstairs living space.
I'd dump him tbh.
Dump him

^ don't dump him x 2!! Just the once will do

Besides, I've been catless for the last 5 years and fully intend getting another rescue moggy. He/she will obviously need their own room

The cat will also need a territory to patrol, so your house sounds perfect. Your boyfriend is a leach. Find a new one.

3 bed house and I use every room, though I do keep a bed in one of the spare rooms as well. Handy as a sofa when I'm on a break from work! Will be good for having friends over when all this is over.

I also have a drive with space for 2 cars and a big garden. I'm happy with what I've got (though would love a garage as well! It's true they say you expand to your space...).

Well you might be surprised to learn that I live in a bungalow. 2 beds, good sized kitchen, 69 sq metres overall. It's big enough for me and I'm happy in it. I downsized from a 3 bed detached where I lived by myself for 10 years, that house was much bigger but I did like the extra space. I worked hard all my life and could afford a 3 bed det and I felt no need whatsoever to feel in any way guilty about having all that space to myself. The only downside was that I had 3 flipping toilets to clean, now I have only one. If you own the property you live in then you're entitled to have as big a house as you like and tough luck if anyone thinks otherwise.

3 bed terrace. I will move to a 2 bed when the risk of boomeranging DC is low enough.

I've got a one bedroom house. When I was house hunting I opted for location rather than size. It does me though. Its an old house with character & great sized rooms and garden.

I rent a one bedroom flat but if I could afford a three bedroom house then I absolutely would! I’d like a bedroom, an office and a craft room!

I don’t see the point in only focusing on renovations as to what resale value they add, unless you’re selling iminently. Obviously it’s worth bearing in mind that it may affect it but if it enhances your life and enjoyment of the property for many years then it’s not worth worrying about the impact on the resale value too much.

OP, your DP should MHOB.

You have whatever you want and enjoy it !!

After he's moved you to the bungalow, he'll have you in a tiny sheltered flat, then a care home.

If it's good enough for the Queen to live in several 500 room houses then anyone can live in a 15 room house and be classed as minimalist!

I remember pre-pandemic the property threads on MN with everyone trying to get on the ladder moaning about people living in houses that were "too big" for them after their children left home. Some even suggested that they should be forced to sell somehow to "make room for families".

I was gobsmacked that people would seriously suggest that.

I live alone, I've got four bedrooms (the smallest is used as an office), living room, "spare" living room, really large kitchen/diner, bathroom. Doesn't feel too big for me, though I very rarely go into the spare living room or the spare spare room!

One my old neighbours is single and lives in her parents house, she bought it off the siblings. It's got 5 bedrooms,2 bathrooms, lounge, dining room, 2 cellars and huge garden. She's quite happy living there as it has lovely memories for her.
Personally I'd be too scared to live on my own in a big house. If I was single I'd probably live in a 2 bed house.

I'm in a three bed terrace, don't see why anyone should dictate what size house I'm allowed.

Why would society or anyone care what size house someone else cohabits. The only time I have heard of that is when single people are living in council housing with multiple rooms once children have left long ago and there is a lack of housing in the area. Never heard it about a bought property.

Small one bedroom flat at the moment. I intend to remain single and my forever home will have four bedrooms and a garden!