| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 16 2011 : 10:09:20 PM
This is likely going to be a long ramble, but here she goes...I've been disabled by several health problems since 2002 and have lived through a lot of uncertainty and rough times. About 5 years ago I bought a nice newer manufactured home from a friend and though I had to pare down a lot going from a large 3 bedroom 4 plex to a much smaller place, I am glad that I did. There is a lot of social stigma about living in a "Mobile Home" , but I own it out right. I pay for insurance and taxes and its mine, no messy mortgage to keep me awake at night. But while we live only a few miles out in the county, my hubby has been wanting to move back to town. I do not! We had horrible problems with loud 24/7 party-ing drunken neighbors for years and I'd rather live in a culvert than go back to town. Well! Just a few weeks ago, we went to visit his brother and his wife down in Boise and it was just so loud down there! And I used to live in Seattle/LA/Portland/SF!!!!! I'm a strictly country girl now!!!
So, now my sweetie is on my side of thinking that for sanity's sake we need a few acres, a big garden, a flock of chickens ,a mini cow and a lot of trees! I've always wanted to build or find a nice big farm house, but I have had to face the reality that I just am not going to be able to afford a bigger house AND a few acres of land, even with my eventual inheritance from my dad. I am letting the big farm house dream change into a be happy with the home that you have, love it and take good care of it, because you own it outright reality!! When the time comes to move it to our own property, I want it to be in very best possible shape. I will happily admit, that I love my little home, with its large master bath, nice big bedroom and big window seat, kitchen island,vaulted ceilings, pergo flooring , airy sky lit living room and the back bedroom transformed into a computer room/library!! It is no more but really no less than I need.
I'd rather have 5 to 10 acres of peace and quiet anytime! 
Happy Autumn!!!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| joy lynn |
Posted - Nov 06 2011 : 3:50:04 PM
I too can relate to wanting some space and a neat old farmhouse. I live in a co-op in the city in about 550 square feet of space. Tiny but all mine. I always have hope to have a small chunk of land with some animals. Well I got the small chunk of space and a cat. I am content. If life brings me some lotto winnings...lol... I would love a small place in Ohio or Penn. and a cow or two. When you live in a small space you don't have to be weighed down by material things...just what you need. Enjoyed your post.quote:
Originally posted by Annika
This is likely going to be a long ramble, but here she goes...I've been disabled by several health problems since 2002 and have lived through a lot of uncertainty and rough times. About 5 years ago I bought a nice newer manufactured home from a friend and though I had to pare down a lot going from a large 3 bedroom 4 plex to a much smaller place, I am glad that I did. There is a lot of social stigma about living in a "Mobile Home" , but I own it out right. I pay for insurance and taxes and its mine, no messy mortgage to keep me awake at night. But while we live only a few miles out in the county, my hubby has been wanting to move back to town. I do not! We had horrible problems with loud 24/7 party-ing drunken neighbors for years and I'd rather live in a culvert than go back to town. Well! Just a few weeks ago, we went to visit his brother and his wife down in Boise and it was just so loud down there! And I used to live in Seattle/LA/Portland/SF!!!!! I'm a strictly country girl now!!!
So, now my sweetie is on my side of thinking that for sanity's sake we need a few acres, a big garden, a flock of chickens ,a mini cow and a lot of trees! I've always wanted to build or find a nice big farm house, but I have had to face the reality that I just am not going to be able to afford a bigger house AND a few acres of land, even with my eventual inheritance from my dad. I am letting the big farm house dream change into a be happy with the home that you have, love it and take good care of it, because you own it outright reality!! When the time comes to move it to our own property, I want it to be in very best possible shape. I will happily admit, that I love my little home, with its large master bath, nice big bedroom and big window seat, kitchen island,vaulted ceilings, pergo flooring , airy sky lit living room and the back bedroom transformed into a computer room/library!! It is no more but really no less than I need.
I'd rather have 5 to 10 acres of peace and quiet anytime!
Happy Autumn!!!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
Buckwheat |
| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - Oct 24 2011 : 1:35:54 PM
I have never lived in a mobile home, just stick builds. We were considering that route when looking for a home this past year, then we had a tornado, earthquake, and 19" of rain in three days. I am now scared of the weather and thank god everyday for my all around brick home with a basement... but if something really wants to destroy it, well that is alot of brick that the crews will have to dig through to find my body.
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Farmgirl #2951
Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
| walkinwalkoutcattle |
Posted - Oct 22 2011 : 6:37:40 PM
I moved from Sacramento, CA to Paint Lick, KY. It's so LOUD here-but a different loud-frogs, cicadas, breeze...it's a different noise. During the winter whenever everything is covered in snow the silence is deafening!
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Oct 22 2011 : 05:53:08 AM
annika you so sound like me with what you have or want.....Isn't it funny that when we are young we think we have to have all this stuff, then we get it & it sits there for years not being used or even noticed?...now we realize a smaller space agrees with us as we are getting older...plus the 'stuff' we needed now seems so silly...thank goodness for places like craigslist, bartering ect that we can get it out of the house but not in a landfill....I pared down when we moved here 4 yrs ago but i have noticed I am still trying to get rid of things...but now the things I seem to collect are scrap wood to build things with, tarps to cover things with & heat lamps ect for the coops..so instead of a crowded house its now spread out more...lol.....I hope as the solar panels movement goes on the price will go down...its not that I don't want them right now but even with discounts we get here in Ma the cost is still $10,000 or more for our roof...by the time i save that money it will cost more for the house but I am looking in to getting smaller ones for the shop that will take care of the electricity for it & the coops...that would be wonderful.....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 21 2011 : 12:25:41 PM
Michele, I am seriously thinking of getting solar roof panels for this one. While it's a '99 and has poor insulation, I've been working to improve it. The layout that we have is just right (IF I can learn to not bring so many things home from thrift/antique shops =P)for two people and pets.
Smaller living spaces are a challenge when you are used to having a bigger home, but you do learn to prioritize and make use of every bit of storage in creative ways. I am actually surprised at myself for being able to re-shape and re-prioritize my farm dreams. But truth is, with my health issues, a smallish home is plenty to deal with, especially considering adding a big garden, small orchard and farm animals. I will never not be busy! I'd love a woodstove! But not until I move to my own land
I've been getting things around the yard and home ready for the cold, we are supposed to have a cold and wet winter, and night time temps will be down in the mid 20's Monday night! so I've got a pile of laundry as well, but at least we won't freeze!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| batznthebelfry |
Posted - Oct 21 2011 : 11:04:04 AM
I too have noticed that what was big dream even a year ago is now something I can't take on...partly age, old injuries coming back to haunt me & less energy....I still want the bigger garden, more chickens & at least an acre or two but I also know that I being alone this last year while Thomas is off in Afghanistan has proved to be harder physically for me....but I have also learned that not everything has to be done right now...the house is trashed but I am getting the yard area cleaned up for the winter.....haven't done laundry in over a week but the chickens coops now have heat lamps up & ready for when its colder.....
I used to live in a wonderful 2 bedroom trailer that had a woodstove, lots of counter space & was wonderful even in the winter.....I agree that pre-1990's trailers are the best built & would love to find one that is from the earlier years as they are tanks & built well...so when we finally move home to Missouri even though its tornado alley I would love to get another trailer with woodstove hook-ups & re-paint it ect...but I saw someone who had a trailer in Colorado who built a pole barn over theirs because of the heavy snows & it looked sooo cool that I will have to do something like that for ours if we ever get one......plus wouldn't it be cool to put solar panels on the pole barn roof for the trailer?....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
| mickib |
Posted - Oct 20 2011 : 10:48:07 AM
I know I'd love to live in an old farmhouse with acreage, but I also know that my husband and I love our little home that we've fixed up over the last 15 years, we're near enough to my mom to help her as she ages, we have nice neighbors in a neighborhood that suits us, and our location is convenient for our job commutes. I finally told my husband a few years ago that we had to stop looking at places in the country, because it made me anxious and I really wanted to just be happy, instead of always wanting something else. It's good to be satisfied with what you have. |
| Dorinda |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 3:52:48 PM
Annika, I think the buttermilk cabinets would look awesome with the sunny yellow walls or tuscan red. Your home sounds wonderful. I would love to see it one day. But I know I will probably never get to take a trip to ID. Not unless I hit the lottery!!:-D
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 3:16:17 PM
Annika, my big joke is that I live in a trailer, but I have a Jenn-Air range.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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| Annika |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 11:39:00 AM
Its so nice to own your own home and not have to worry about a mortgage in these rocky times. If I end up being able to build a small home, that would be nice, but I'm just as happy with the place that I've got on a few acres with a big garden and a bigger barn =) I just had new siding put on a few years ago and it badly needs a new roof and a coat of paint, but I've put in filled pergo like flooring and have a professional chef stainless stove and huge fridge, a large pantry and lots of cabinets. I'm kind of tired of the tired beige floral in the kitchen and am thinking of painting it something warmer and more lively. I want to paint all of the faux-wood cabinets buttermilk with dark Tuscan red or sunny yellow walls =P but hubby doesn't like the idea of the buttermilk cabinets...we shall see ;)
Happy Autumn !
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
http://thegimpyfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://pinterest.com/annikaloveshats/
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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| Dorinda |
Posted - Oct 19 2011 : 11:03:45 AM
My husband and I lived in a mobile home for 10 years when we were first married. I loved that mobile home. We were able to save money and build our home in 1987. If anything ever happened to our home . I would move back into a mobile home in a heart beat. My SIS lives in a very nice mobile home for a long time now. She has kept it up thru hurricanes and the years of aging. She replaced the siding on the out side and it looked brand new again.
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
| FarmDream |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 7:07:19 PM
I can hear crickets and frogs outside right now. I'll take the noise of the country any day over the noise of the city. I think opinion fluctuates about manufactured homes. When so many were buying and selling houses and making a lot of money off it, it was great. Then all the foreclosures started and lots of people are back in apartments. Now people love manufactured homes. Ours is 10 years old and it can be a headache but it's worth it for all the happiness we have out here.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
| msdoolittle |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 6:56:34 PM
Home is home, wherever you make it, isn't it? :0) We live in a 2 story 1950s era house on 15 acres, BUT if it ever (Heaven forbid) burned to the ground/got destroyed in a storm, we have already said that we'd be happy as larks even in a 5th wheel or a yurt, or one of those tiny kit homes from Lowe's. Whatever happens, this is our home, even if we had to live in tents. :0)
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
| Dusky Beauty |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 10:19:56 AM
I've been living in mobile homes since I was 10 years old with a stint in apartment complexes when I was a newlywed.
They're inexpensive and there is a lot you can do to make them homy, weather proof and comfortable and you get a lot more land for your budget if you buy property with a mobile on it.
The only complaint I have against them is that the ones made after the mid 90s tend to be made shoddy (Fleetwood homes at least.)
The rental I'm in now has the drywall panels in the laundry room and one of the bathrooms basically disintegrating from old water damage. The walls are pretty thin. I've never had an electrician that didn't complain about the cheap wiring and faceplates in any mobile I've lived in. God help you if you get a couple mice in the walls, they'll gnaw holes like the wall is cheesecloth.
I think a person is probably better off to rebuild, re-roof, re-side a 20-25 year old mobile to make it look new than to get a newer one!
A mobile on a foundation is a pretty good investment, but I'd never consider living in one in Tornado Ally. I'll take a stick or brick house that's been standing for 20-100 years instead in that case! lol
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
| natesgirl |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 10:09:28 AM
I am a reformed trailer tramp, but I miss those days!
I am living in my in-laws house now with my MIL. I have about 3 acres and no mortgage. I have to share the house and the backyard is hers, but I can have my garden and my Hubby is totally onboard for the orchard and other things I want. I have always longed for a large place and lots of land, but reality and the economy have brought me down to earth.
I have decided to make the best of what I have and simply scale down what I had dreamed of. I have realized that 4 apple trees and 4 peach trees and 4 cherry trees are entirely too much food and work for one small family to deal with. I am focusing on feeding and working with my little home instead of trying to figure out how to feed my huge extended family as well.
I am finding this frame of mind to be much less stressful and much more 'do-able'. Less Is More!
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
| Melina |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 07:09:11 AM
Not sure when it happened, but my thinking changed over the years, too. I had always wanted the old 2-story farmhouse, hundreds of acres, end-of-dirt-road location, and animals coming out my ears. Now I'm content on 1/4 acre in town and a small 3-bedroom house. I have my garden, chickens, a loving DH, and no mortgage. Contentment is a strange and wonderful thing, something you can't strive for. It just creeps in on little cat's feet, like a fog.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - Oct 17 2011 : 05:17:52 AM
Hey guess what. I'm a trailer tramp, I live in a manufactured home on one acre. So's my momma.
My husband's shop is worth more than our home. In less than ten years it will be paid off. Then I might think about saving for a house to be built that matches the shop, or a fifth wheel.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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