When a person decides to build a house, he chooses its area based on his own needs and the needs of the family. Those who have huddled in tiny "Khrushchevs" for a long time dream of a spacious dwelling. In reality, life in a mansion is not so great! I was convinced of this from personal experience. I will share my observations with you.
How it all began
At first, my wife and I lived in a one-room apartment. After the birth of the child, we moved into a house with an area of 72 square meters. In general, there was enough space for us. But after a couple of years, the family was replenished, so the housing had to be urgently expanded.
Having weighed all the pros and cons, we decided to build a spacious house. We turned to a builder we knew for help. He offered us a project for a 2-storey brick house with a total area of 250 squares. My wife and I were quite happy with this project. It seemed to us that in 6 - 8 years we would finish with the construction site and happily live with children in a large and comfortable house.
Protracted construction
The work started in 2006. We managed to finish it only 11 years later - in 2017. During this period, we, and the whole country, had financial problems associated with the crisis. Therefore, the moment of moving into a new house was postponed for several years. How many nerves, forces and resources we have invested in construction is even scary to remember.
All the money went to the construction site. We could not afford a normal vacation, travel, etc. But we continued to move towards the cherished goal.
The house is half empty
While we were engaged in construction, the eldest child managed to graduate from school, enter a university and "fly out of the family nest." He moved to St. Petersburg and has no plans to go back yet. The son already has a bride. Most likely, they will get married there and stay to live. The youngest child is 14 years old, while he lives with us, but, probably, he will also go to Moscow after school.
So it turns out that today our 250-meter house is half empty, and after 4 - 5 years only my wife and I will live in it.
The rooms we use are the living room, kitchen, toilet, our bedroom and son's room. Other rooms are either empty or are gradually turning into a warehouse of unnecessary things.
A small family doesn't need a big house!
The main problem with large houses is long, time consuming and expensive repairs. Furnishing all rooms with furniture is also not an easy task. To move into a new home, we simply painted the ceilings, pasted over the walls with wallpaper and linoleum. Not the best renovation! We are gradually improving the rooms, but it all takes years.
We are also worn out with furniture. Somehow we managed to furnish the first floor. At the same time, we bought everything that was necessary and inexpensive. Sometimes the furniture does not fit into the overall interior of the room and looks ridiculous. We only hung beautiful chandeliers in the living room and kitchen. In other rooms there are modest, cheap plafonds.
I will also note that heating a large 2-storey building is very problematic. Every month we spend about 6 - 7 thousand for heating!
What I want to say in the end
Now I understand that a house with an area of 120 squares would be enough for us. And on the square that we have today, several families can be accommodated. Therefore, such mansions are relevant for large families, and not for such as ours.
A big house is a big waste. If you can afford it, I will only envy. We have to save, deprive ourselves of many pleasures.
How I wish I could take those 11 years back and choose a more modest home project. Alas, what we have is what we have.
What are your thoughts on this? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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