How To Downsize And Simplify Life !

[RoscoPico]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

I simply tired of maintaining a property at this stage in life, and realized impressing others with a home accomplished absolutely nothing.

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that is badass. i sometimes dream of doing something similar but with a warehouse.

and here i was thinking you were going to talk about downsizing your watch collection lol. a problem i am sort of facing again

[yoniman]

Was just past the part of aging single and I was already envious!
You've done well.


It's just all about health, happiness & family. The rest are just necessary inconvenience we have to deal with.

[jltait]

Originally Posted by 330ci

you've got some of the nicest junk i've ever seen

[JakeK]

Awesome! I love the simplicity. Congrats on the home shift. This is exactly what we are planning to do for our next home. Custom designed "pole-barn" home and barn-combo for the us and horses.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Love what you've accomplished there Don.
You DO realise that you HAVE impressed others with your lovely home?
I bet the designing, planning and project management was a brilliant experience.

Have you chosen a nice plot, in the mountains somewhere?

Red Ducati SP916

Well done Don, very well done.

Well, there’s nothing impressive about the house, just a garage with an attached apartment. Being a former engineering project manager for 3M, there was a well thought plan. I like to call the place a combination of Clem’s Service Center and Shady Grove Rest Home.

Being free from the societal imposed housing requirements, is more liberating than words can imply, at least for me. While researching during the design phase, I read some interesting housing facts, that helped drive several aspects.

) In the fifties, the average home size for a family of four was 900-1,100 sq ft.

) The average couple, regardless of home size, only “live” in 900 sq ft.

Seriously considering a specific area in Western Montana for a “potential” final retirement move. I ride the mountains of Montana every year, and it just feels like “home”. My original plan was to build there and move, but I have aging parents, and a daughter/grandson to think of.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by RoscoPico

that is badass. i sometimes dream of doing something similar but with a warehouse.

Actually, same here.

[Speedbird-1]

[QUOTE

Seriously considering a specific area in Western Montana for a “potential” final retirement move. I ride the mountains of Montana every year, and it just feels like “home”. My original plan was to build there and move, but I have aging parents, and a daughter/grandson to think of.[/QUOTE]

Don, I think I've found it for you!

Might need a clout nail....or two.

[The Joker]

You rock

I would of added a micro-brewery

[The Joker]

And a cinema

[The Joker]

Maybe a games room

[The Joker]

indoor driving range/net

[The Joker]

and a bowling alley

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

Don, I think I've found it for you!



Might need a clout nail....or two.

I have the valley chosen, and a print on my wall !

[dafuture]

This is incredible Don. You've effectively built my dream home.

Enjoy it!

[The Joker]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

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How about adding a shrub or 2

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by The Joker

How about adding a shrub or 2

I planted three azaleas in the front back in May, that’s my limit !




The current lawn layout allows me to mow, trim, blow off the drive, and put everything back up in 1.5 hrs weekly.

[Ny325]

Great outlook on life OP. I try to keep everything I do simple. Life is already complicated, and there’s no need to add more stress to your life. Your new home is beautiful. Less is more. Enjoy.

[dtwer]

Wow that’s amazing, well done!

This is the ideal setup; a decent-sized home with sufficient space for hobbies and toys. For my next home I have this idea of building in an indoor range (or have a property that is sizable enough to do an outdoor one).

[airchitect]

I love it! Congrats on having the minerals to go your own way!

[airchitect]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Thanks for the compliments !

The downsizing involved more than a new house, any item that was not used and cost to maintain, had to go ! It was time to evaluate means vs needs vs wants vs retiring comfortably in a few years, etc, etc.

A few details:

3 rural acres with 1 acre clear, 200 ft off a nice paved secondary road, 1 mile from a small +/- 600 population town, 8 miles to Hickory NC, 45 miles to Charlotte NC, 4,000 sq ft drive (can circle my truck and 20’ car trailer)

2,400 sq ft total, 835 apartment & 1565 garage

Insulated concrete pad, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 9’ceilings, maintenance free floor and walls, all LED lighting, 32’ front porch, 8’ rear porch, R26 walls, R30 overhead, all metal exterior, 12’8” garage ceilings, remote Wi-Fi door openers, 10k lb 2 post automotive lift, 2 motorcycle lifts, mig & tig welders, plasma cutter, welding table, drill press, steel rack, horizontal band saw, work bench, 2 @ 50k btu garage heaters, 2 exhaust fans, twin dual band Wi-Fi routers (1 garage, 1 apartment), security camera system, etc,etc,etc. Behind the garage is a 18’ x 42’ storage shed for trailers, tractor, implements, lawn mower, and an additional 2,500 sq ft gravel access area.

BTW, my average power bill is $71

The fact your garage is double the size of the living area is so awesome

[schoolboy]

Heck yeah!

Love it


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[Spartacus]

Viper? Very nice!

[Speedbird-1]

Originally Posted by The Joker

How about adding a shrub or 2

My thoughts too.
How about an avenue of blossom trees down the drive?
Prunus "Ukon" is a very beautiful tree.




I think I can already hear you hollering.......noooooooooopo!

[Nikrnic]

I love it!! I can't agree more. I'd make it more open concept on the inside but it makes sense to me. Oh, almost forgot, I'm married so at this point I'm adding on, Two car garage to three+.


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[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Speedbird-1

I think I can already hear you hollering.......noooooooooopo!

................ and you would be correct !

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by Spartacus

Viper? Very nice!

https://dlrides.smugmug.com/Cars/Dodge-Viper-GTS-/

[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Thanks for the compliments !

The downsizing involved more than a new house, any item that was not used and cost to maintain, had to go ! It was time to evaluate means vs needs vs wants vs retiring comfortably in a few years, etc, etc.

A few details:

3 rural acres with 1 acre clear, 200 ft off a nice paved secondary road, 1 mile from a small +/- 600 population town, 8 miles to Hickory NC, 45 miles to Charlotte NC, 4,000 sq ft drive (can circle my truck and 20’ car trailer)

2,400 sq ft total, 835 apartment & 1565 garage

Insulated concrete pad, 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 9’ceilings, maintenance free floor and walls, all LED lighting, 32’ front porch, 8’ rear porch, R26 walls, R30 overhead, all metal exterior, 12’8” garage ceilings, remote Wi-Fi door openers, 10k lb 2 post automotive lift, 2 motorcycle lifts, mig & tig welders, plasma cutter, welding table, drill press, steel rack, horizontal band saw, work bench, 2 @ 50k btu garage heaters, 2 exhaust fans, twin dual band Wi-Fi routers (1 garage, 1 apartment), security camera system, etc,etc,etc. Behind the garage is a 18’ x 42’ storage shed for trailers, tractor, implements, lawn mower, and an additional 2,500 sq ft gravel access area.

BTW, my average power bill is $71

My man! Livin’ the dream! Awesome!

[BigAppleBill]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

I planted three azaleas in the front back in May, that’s my limit !




The current lawn layout allows me to mow, trim, blow off the drive, and put everything back up in 1.5 hrs weekly.

Who needs shrubs? The deer will eventually devour those azaleas anyway.

[ckaynyc]

If I were single I would love that set up. Well done ��

[Sebenza]

I've always dreamed of building a log home one day and have spent many hours researching them. They do seem to be very labor intensive as far as upkeep. I would love to chat one day and hear your experience with a log home.