To ask where you thought you would live compared to where you do live?

[Welcometotheterrorzone]

I went to a friends house the other day and she lived in the chicest, one bedroom flat above a shop in the city centre. It had a entrance beautiful hall with bikes chained up and a sort of homely, musty smell. It just made me think about that I always thought I would end up in a flat just like that, instead of a boring suburban home like the one I have. Utterly impractical due to two kids and having a car but the heart wants what it wants! I do realise I am lucky beyond words to have what I have but I think, having family in Europe, I always thought I would live in a flat.
Where did you always imagine living, do you live somewhere similar now?

When discussing general lifestyle goals I remember saying to my (now) DH at about 17 or 18 "I just want a 4 bed detached house, 2 cars and a holiday every year" coming from a modest background not really realising "just" was minimising the effort to get those things!

But yes I always envisaged a beautiful 4 bed new build cardboard box as my parents called them, we lived in a drafty old Victorian terrace I hated. That, and the rest of the "dream" lol is what we have now and I love it. Although I do have more less shallow ambitions now too 😂

Honestly? I don't think I had a dream house etc, except quite liking old buildings (I like proper old timber frame cottages etc). I think I assumed I'd end up in a house like my parents (modern 4 bed detached).... I have. I'm also now sensible enough to realise I'm not up to taking on a period property and the associated maintenance.

Mine does my head in when I think about it.

I had a bit of a neglected childhood and didn't really have any aspirations homewise and so if I did give it any thought it would be that I'd live in a flat (with balcony) by myself.

Somehow ended up buying an old cottage in a picturesque hamlet in Cornwall on the edge of the moor and the sea close by, looking after my dogs, chickens and rabbits. It's beautiful. I love my life and I'm very grateful to the Universe for plonking me here (after 15 house moves!!).

@IWantAllTheDogsInTheWorld that's lovely and sounds like a very nice life.

That sounds idyllic @IWantAllTheDogsInTheWorld, congratulations on coming to terms with the trauma of a neglectful childhood and doing what works for you.

I suppose I envisaged a big house in the country with plenty of land for the 4 kids to expend energy in and that is what I have. Said "kids" are now all in their 20s & living away from home, so it is now time to seriously downsize, but that's another story!