Isn't it interesting to see how different our needs are concerning what constitutes our dream home. I'm truly glad for those of you who already have all the things you want in a home.
@Sighlass, you're so right about good neighbors. Bad ones can take a toll on your enjoyment of your home.
For those who are far off the beaten path, I envy you. My dream home is just a figment of my imagination and will never come to fruition, but I can dream, can't I?
I'd like to live in the middle of nowhere (but it would have to be in Texas, preferably in Zone 9 so I can have tropicals). The home itself wouldn't be much to look at from the outside but would be a knockout on the inside. It would have a wrap-around, screened-in porch about 12 feet deep with a surface that would be comfortable for little paws to run on. In the very center would be an ample atrium where my tiny dogs could go in and out on their own without my having to be concerned about birds of prey. It would have 2 entrances and would have glass all around so that the atrium could be viewed from the entire house. The exterior wall would have floor-to-ceiling banks of windows pretty much all around. At the end of the wrap-around porch, there would be a 3-season (4-season in Texas) room just off the living room.
The kitchen counters would be built to the specs I need for my diminishing frame so that cooking would once again be fun. The view from the kitchen would be that beautiful tropical atrium. The living room TV would be visible from the kitchen as well. I'd have a craft room with great lighting and a door to close so that my crafting mess won't be visible. A small small guest bedroom and a small extra bath would accommodate any visitors I might have, although I don't really expect any since I don't have family.
I haven't given thought to how far out it needs to be. I just want to be somewhere where I don't have to listen to people's music or the bass from a car driving by. I don't want to listen to fireworks either. Whatever the distance that requires is part of my imaginary dream home. I sincerely hope it wouldn't require a 30-minute drive to the pavement! I'd like to go into town without too much time expenditure.
If it sounds somewhat like a fortress, I guess it is. I've been alone with my dogs for so long, it's become my comfort zone, so this arrangement would work for me. Add an attached garage, a laundry space in the master bath and a dog washing station in the mudroom, and you've got my dream home.
For now, I'm grateful to have a roof over my head in a decent neighborhood
IN TEXAS in a house that's more than I need but comfortable nonetheless. The thing that would keep me from moving away from here is the park where I walk my dogs -- 1.2 miles round trip, and the park is a lovely jewel box we have to ourselves about 97% of the time. Even so, there's plenty of pee-mail for my dogs to answer, so it does get used. When my dogs are happy, I'm happy!
I've loved hearing about y'all's dream homes. Glad y'all took time to share.
