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AIBU?

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Family member putting down my new home

52 replies

mynewhome1 · 23/06/2024 18:33

I've recently bought my first house by myself after renting and saving for years. It's a 2 bed terraced house, so by no means a mansion but it's perfect for me and I'm very happy here. It took me years to be able to afford to buy my own home and I'm actually really proud of myself.

My cousin who I'm very close to (no siblings so kind of like a sister) has been making strange comments since I moved in. For example, like a lot of terraced houses, the bathroom is downstairs and she said the other day she couldn't live in a house with that layout. She also mentioned about how the front door opens directly into the living room which apparently doesn't feel safe

and that there isn't any parking and she wouldn't live somewhere without a driveway.

Fair enough, the comments aren't about my house specifically (I don't think), more about terraced houses in general but it just feels a bit, I don't know, bitchy I guess?

I'd love a 5 bed house with multiple bathrooms and a huge driveway but I can't afford that and so I had to buy something within my budget. I also think my house is a lovely first time buyer home. I don’t like using the word “jealous” but that’s how it’s coming across. I know she’s wanted to buy her own house for a long time so maybe she’s disappointed that she’s not in that position yet, but she does prioritise other things though, such as holidays twice a year as where I haven’t been abroad since 2018. There’s nothing wrong with that but most people can’t have everything.

I’m not going to mention it as I don’t want to cause a huge family row, but I do feel quite sad that she’s not happy for me. That’s how it’s coming across anyway and I thought we were really close. I guess I just wanted to vent.

OP posts:
Shecan · 26/10/2024 11:00

Definitely jealousy.

Aliflowers · 26/10/2024 12:06

toomanytonotice · 23/06/2024 19:25

When I bought my first flat in my 20’s I had many similar comments.everything from why did I want to tie myself down with a mortgage, to they wouldn’t want to live in a flat with neighbours and no private garden.

10 years later and I’ve upsized having saved a shit ton of money in rent. The same people are now whinging that they’re getting married and can’t afford the 3 bed detached in desirable village. Now apparently I was “lucky” to be able to afford to buy.

my brother’s wife has never visited us. She doesn’t like our house because it’s not a terrace in London like hers.

some people have to put others down to make themselves feel better.

I had similar. Bought my first home in my early 20s in a not great area, not ideal layout (but quirky) but ideal first home. I was in a good job, had a high income and wanted to try and invest the money. Had a few comments from people of why did I want to tie myself down, they wouldn’t fancy the area etc. fast forward a few years and I’d met DH. I sold the house for double what I’d paid and with our combined income we bought a really nice house in a good area with a low mortgage. Now those people (who either still rent/have massive mortgages/have had to settle for the same area as first home) comment that I was lucky 🙄. Bought at the right time, was lucky with interest rates. Yep that definitely helped but also the decision to invest my money in a home rather than nights out, fancy cars or holidays

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