This was fun to read! Your perfect house doesn’t sound that impossible. And it comes close to how I would describe mine. The walking, the view, the climate, the cost. But I do not want coziness: I dream of empty surfaces, zero clutter, and lots of light, with just some beautiful touches. I like Japanese homes.
My heart! I loved this. And not just because of the walkability (essentially, the ability to walk places but also places to walk *to* as one of my nieces put it recently); I've spent a lot of my life centering around what "home" means. All these photos make me want to settle right in!
This was a great article and your “wishlist” reflects my own, in many ways. I do wonder about the “if we settle down again part.” Doesn’t that become a necessity at some point in our late senior years? Would it be possible or desirable to be a digital nomad well into our 80s? Is there an underlying assumption of continued good health part of the “if?”
Thank you. Yes, that's exactly our thinking too. Plus, we have been doing this almost NINE years now, so the idea of something different is appealing.
OTOH, America is such a dumpster fire right now, and there are so many other factors (like climate change, which seems to be impacting everywhere we go) that make picking a specific place challenging. I suppose we would ultimately just go "home" to Washington State...
We too have figured out what it is that we want if we are to ever settle again. Most important to us is a small tiny home that costs minimal to upkeep. Equal to that would be location. Like you, we enjoy walking and being close to amenities. But we also like quiet. It’s hard to get everything in one package but we will keep looking!
Steve and I talk about this a lot. It's funny, cuz I don't think we'll ever own a home ever again, but if we do, we've got strong thoughts, like you, on what it would need. Of course our lists are similar. But you missed a few. It would have to have an electric tea kettle (thanks England for this), a gorgeous bathroom sink (thanks Mexico), beautiful tile work (thanks Portugal), and year round blooms (thanks Greece.)
Fully agree! Having lived and experienced so many different types of housing, in so many parts of the world, I feel like I have a good idea of what I would want if I ever settle again!
Initially, I would be tempted to look for "the bigger place for the cheaper price", but after experiencing "big" apartments... I realize I feel much better in a cozy studio, easily manageable/easy to clean/etc.
On the other hand, I used to be charmed by historical/old buildings... Now, I'm more on the fence about it 😂 It's hard to keep up with the maintenance of the old! And on the other side, living in a modern apartment is so convenient: soundproofing, good water pressure, easy to clean, etc.
And the lighting! I realized it was so important for me after spending 3 weeks in a 1st-floor sublet apartment in Rio that barely had any light, I would keep the lights on for most of the day 😩
Oh, yeah, I agree COMPLETELY. The old vs. new? We had a 1904 Victorian once, and yes, it was charming, but oh man! The problems. it was endless. ON THE OTHER HAND, the house had been around for more than 100 years, so we knew it was SOLID. With new houses, there can be problems you don't expect. I just don't know the answer, I really don't.
I definitely prefer "small" now, though. Big it just too much upkeep.
My wife and I felt this when we traveled for three years - we could live here oooh we could live oooh live oooh! It was like touring a shiny toy shop. Circumstances landed us for awhile, but we're aiming to do exactly what you're talking about in the near future. I think you're onto something!
SUCH a great and helpful piece, Brent! Lisa and I are very similar in our dream home desires, and have landed where you and Michael have - travel to get it! Thanks for sharing
This was a delightful read. It was nice to see so many of your winning locations consolidated into one post. And your little Seattle home was beautiful!
Yes, it was lovely. Sometimes we miss it (but not that often -- it was a lot of work, and the homeowner's association was typical: no one willing do any work...)
We had a place like that too, once. Or twice. Definitely don't miss HOA fees. Also don't miss the maintenance. And having to buy toilet paper. Actually we just had to buy a pack the other day for the first time in a year. It was weird!
It's quite liberating. I said to Matt that when we leave an apartment, it's like that scene in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, where they release all their space garbage so the ship can go into hyperspace.
Hi Brent and Michael. My wife and I spend a good amount of time in England as she grew up in Bristol. We love Bath it has about a 100,000 people. A great university, ancient Roman history, a gorgeous cathedral and a river runs through it surrounded by beautiful countryside with canals. It is very special. Check it out if you haven’t already. It is about 15 mins by train from Bristol. Enjoy your travels we are off to Aix en Provence to see if we could live there.
I hear that Aix is fabulous! It's on my list of places to spend some time too. All the things with the fabled Christmas snow a short jaunt away in the Alps. Winning!
Yes, we spent two-three days in Bath and LOVED it. But the over-tourism is a thing, isn't it? It wasn't TOO bad when we were there (in the fall), but I can't imagine what it's like in summer.
I co-sign this list! All things I would want in a dream home too. Any chance you’re sharing links to some of the places you mention, like the Bristol and Lake Como spots? Would love to stay In either of those someday!
They might be moving to get away from us, er, I mean, stalkers.
Honestly? I wasn't THAT impressed by the house, from the outside. I know they bought it for, like, $5 million but it sure as hell isn't worth $100 million or whatever they say it is.
This was fun to read! Your perfect house doesn’t sound that impossible. And it comes close to how I would describe mine. The walking, the view, the climate, the cost. But I do not want coziness: I dream of empty surfaces, zero clutter, and lots of light, with just some beautiful touches. I like Japanese homes.
Oh that's very very interesting! [said in a Sigmund Freud voice]
You have much to choose from! As is said, the world IS your oyster. (whatever that actually means, think it was a 30s thing).
Haha you're right, what the hell DOES that mean! LOL
My heart! I loved this. And not just because of the walkability (essentially, the ability to walk places but also places to walk *to* as one of my nieces put it recently); I've spent a lot of my life centering around what "home" means. All these photos make me want to settle right in!
Hehe thanks! Yeah being PART OF something is probably the single most important factor.
Ooh and one other good thing–not owning a place for over 10 years means not being responsible for the upkeep of the roof, windows, plumbing, etc! 🤗
Yes, we really really REALLY don't miss that!
This was a great article and your “wishlist” reflects my own, in many ways. I do wonder about the “if we settle down again part.” Doesn’t that become a necessity at some point in our late senior years? Would it be possible or desirable to be a digital nomad well into our 80s? Is there an underlying assumption of continued good health part of the “if?”
Thank you. Yes, that's exactly our thinking too. Plus, we have been doing this almost NINE years now, so the idea of something different is appealing.
OTOH, America is such a dumpster fire right now, and there are so many other factors (like climate change, which seems to be impacting everywhere we go) that make picking a specific place challenging. I suppose we would ultimately just go "home" to Washington State...
We too have figured out what it is that we want if we are to ever settle again. Most important to us is a small tiny home that costs minimal to upkeep. Equal to that would be location. Like you, we enjoy walking and being close to amenities. But we also like quiet. It’s hard to get everything in one package but we will keep looking!
We've always said: we'll know it when we see it! 🙂
Exactly!
Steve and I talk about this a lot. It's funny, cuz I don't think we'll ever own a home ever again, but if we do, we've got strong thoughts, like you, on what it would need. Of course our lists are similar. But you missed a few. It would have to have an electric tea kettle (thanks England for this), a gorgeous bathroom sink (thanks Mexico), beautiful tile work (thanks Portugal), and year round blooms (thanks Greece.)
All very reasonable! 😂😂
Fully agree! Having lived and experienced so many different types of housing, in so many parts of the world, I feel like I have a good idea of what I would want if I ever settle again!
Initially, I would be tempted to look for "the bigger place for the cheaper price", but after experiencing "big" apartments... I realize I feel much better in a cozy studio, easily manageable/easy to clean/etc.
On the other hand, I used to be charmed by historical/old buildings... Now, I'm more on the fence about it 😂 It's hard to keep up with the maintenance of the old! And on the other side, living in a modern apartment is so convenient: soundproofing, good water pressure, easy to clean, etc.
And the lighting! I realized it was so important for me after spending 3 weeks in a 1st-floor sublet apartment in Rio that barely had any light, I would keep the lights on for most of the day 😩
(That said, I wouldn't mind a casita for friends to come and say in when they visit! LOL
Oh, yeah, I agree COMPLETELY. The old vs. new? We had a 1904 Victorian once, and yes, it was charming, but oh man! The problems. it was endless. ON THE OTHER HAND, the house had been around for more than 100 years, so we knew it was SOLID. With new houses, there can be problems you don't expect. I just don't know the answer, I really don't.
I definitely prefer "small" now, though. Big it just too much upkeep.
Well said, Brent. funny how the more you travel, the less forever a home needs to be.
Also well said!
Love this! Snow all winter? Nahhhh, no thanks.
My wife and I felt this when we traveled for three years - we could live here oooh we could live oooh live oooh! It was like touring a shiny toy shop. Circumstances landed us for awhile, but we're aiming to do exactly what you're talking about in the near future. I think you're onto something!
Perhaps someday it will change but it works for the time being!
SUCH a great and helpful piece, Brent! Lisa and I are very similar in our dream home desires, and have landed where you and Michael have - travel to get it! Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Matt. Glad we could "inspire" you. (Fingers crossed that things never go south, cause then we'd get the blame!"
Oh absolutely. I will forever hold you guys responsible for any of my poor life decisions.
fortunately, we can just block you both.
A wise choice.
This was a delightful read. It was nice to see so many of your winning locations consolidated into one post. And your little Seattle home was beautiful!
Yes, it was lovely. Sometimes we miss it (but not that often -- it was a lot of work, and the homeowner's association was typical: no one willing do any work...)
We had a place like that too, once. Or twice. Definitely don't miss HOA fees. Also don't miss the maintenance. And having to buy toilet paper. Actually we just had to buy a pack the other day for the first time in a year. It was weird!
It's quite liberating. I said to Matt that when we leave an apartment, it's like that scene in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, where they release all their space garbage so the ship can go into hyperspace.
Hi Brent and Michael. My wife and I spend a good amount of time in England as she grew up in Bristol. We love Bath it has about a 100,000 people. A great university, ancient Roman history, a gorgeous cathedral and a river runs through it surrounded by beautiful countryside with canals. It is very special. Check it out if you haven’t already. It is about 15 mins by train from Bristol. Enjoy your travels we are off to Aix en Provence to see if we could live there.
I hear that Aix is fabulous! It's on my list of places to spend some time too. All the things with the fabled Christmas snow a short jaunt away in the Alps. Winning!
Yes, we spent two-three days in Bath and LOVED it. But the over-tourism is a thing, isn't it? It wasn't TOO bad when we were there (in the fall), but I can't imagine what it's like in summer.
I approve of your wishlist!!!!
Haha thank you!
I co-sign this list! All things I would want in a dream home too. Any chance you’re sharing links to some of the places you mention, like the Bristol and Lake Como spots? Would love to stay In either of those someday!
Here's the Bristol one: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15223307?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=ab60d6f2-d2c9-491d-b29c-4b9d8ee2042b
I can't see to track down the Como one...
Thank you so much!
I hate to break it to you but Clooney and family are moving to the south of France. I hope he doesn't lose your address in the midst of moving.
More seriously, I love your list.
They might be moving to get away from us, er, I mean, stalkers.
Honestly? I wasn't THAT impressed by the house, from the outside. I know they bought it for, like, $5 million but it sure as hell isn't worth $100 million or whatever they say it is.