Do you prefer to live in a one or two-story house?

[vettechick99]

In a few years we are building a home. I grew up in a two-story home, DH in a one-story. We are debating which is better for us - we like having everything on one floor, but we know building up is cheaper than out.

Which do you prefer living in?

P/S Can't have a basement in the South!

 

[caitycaity]

at this point i would just prefer any single family home! we cannot afford one in our area.

however, if i could afford one, i would want 2 stories. dh and i are all set to have this fight the first time we buy a place that is a sfh. he grew up in 1 level ranches in california. i grew up in 2 level colonials in ny. we have very different ideas about the perfect house.

 

[golfgal]

I voted 2 story but I would take either depending on the floor plan but we have basements here so that makes a HUGE difference. Personally, my ideal would be a 2 story with a main floor master suite and 4 bedrooms upstairs. The 4 bedrooms up would be for resale value, 3 up would be bare minimum. A one story with the master and a small bedroom, think nursery then office, on one side and 3 bedrooms on the other side would be ok too. I want at least 2 separate living spaces, a formal living room and a family room or two family rooms though (3 would be ideal).

 

[sue1013]

I voted one story but not because I'm lazy! My knees bother me going up stairs down is ok. I'm so glad I don't have to climb stairs everyday.

 

[KimR]

I voted 2-story because like you said, it is cheaper to build up. Plus, I like having the kids rooms on a separate level from the main living area of the house. But, I'm curious as to why you said you cannot have basements in the south? We live in Georgia and have a basement, as do most of the homes around here.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would prefer a ranch but with kids...2-story. Now I do wish our Master Bedroom was downstairs. Perhaps that could be your compromise???

 

[Southern4sure]

I voted for 2 story but not because of the kids. I just wanted one.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've always preferred a two story until I was 9mos pregnant with a 1.5yo. LOL

 

[mannasn]

How can there not be an "other" ? What about split-level ?

 

[Bob Slydell]

2 story. No real reason why, except that's what I was raised in and that's what I'm used to. I prefer having all the bedrooms upstairs.

 

[JenDaveBrendan]

I grew up in a split-level, and hated having my parents so close to me all the time (especially as a teen) since the main living areas were all on the same floor - I always wished the bedrooms were upstairs so I could have some privacy.
So when we bought our current (and first!) house, my biggest thing was that it had to be 2 levels (all bedrooms upstairs), no splits and no ranches.

JMHO!

Jen

 

[cardaway]

I want a one story someday but that's far into the future when we retire.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I really wouldn't care, as long as there is 2 bathroms.

 

[gris gris]

We live in a 1 floor ranch with an odd floor plan, however the basement is finished. DH & I both grew up in 2 floor houses. We love being on 1 floor. With little kids it's nice to be sleeping in the same area as them. Some 2 floor homes have the master bedroom on the 1st floor. Plus, noises bug me a lot - so being all one 1 floor, I don't have to hear pounding footsteps above me.

My parents recently built a new home and 1 mistake they made (2 floors) was putting all the bedrooms upstairs, plus the bathrooms with the showers. So, when they're old and can't walk up the stairs, we're not really sure where they will sleep or shower! Something to think about.

The one think I dislike about being on 1 floor, is the laundry room is downstairs (part of the finished basement). I wish it were in the same area where the dirty clothes are.

If you have no basement though, you probably want to do 2 floors. We couldn't live without our finished basement.

Even though I do have a few stairs (not nearly as much as if it were a 2 floor house), I hate having to lug the vacuum up & down the stairs. We have central vac but I still have to carry the hose & the parts up & down. Vacuuming stairs is no fun

 

[sajetto]

I voted 2-story because like you said, it is cheaper to build up. Plus, I like having the kids rooms on a separate level from the main living area of the house. But, I'm curious as to why you said you cannot have basements in the south? We live in Georgia and have a basement, as do most of the homes around here.

I was about to ask the same thing. My sis is in Atlanta and has one. I'm in NC but I can't have one b/c we live too close to sea level.

Are you saying that you are in the coastal area of GA?

 

[Blondie]

I prefer a 2 story as well. That's what I grew up in and that's what I've always had.

I wouldn't rule out a one story when we go to look at retirement homes. At that point I might prefer a one story.

 

[vettechick99]

I voted 2-story because like you said, it is cheaper to build up. Plus, I like having the kids rooms on a separate level from the main living area of the house. But, I'm curious as to why you said you cannot have basements in the south? We live in Georgia and have a basement, as do most of the homes around here.

You won't find any basements south of Macon...the water table is too high. I'm not on the coast, but I guess close enough.

How can there not be an "other" ? What about split-level ?

Because this is my poll. J/k. I just don't like that style as much as others. Plus, unless you are on a steep hill, split-level won't happen this far south.

Thanks everyone! Love hearing the responses.

 

[stinkerbelle]

I grew up in a raised ranch (bedrooms/living rooms/kitchen all on upper level, den 'downstairs'), my first house was a raised ranch (super cheap to build)...our current house is a 2 story colonel.. (actually - closer to 3...our basement is only like 4" below ground. heheh)

So I vote 2 story for this stage in my life. I like the bedrooms being upstairs and the kitchen/living rooms being downstairs. Why? because it's different then what I grew up in.

My parents are looking to sell their raised ranch...looking to build or buy a new home...but they are looking at 'one level living'...makes more sense for them being that they are older.

Best of luck to ya Ali!

 

[rhanditresmom]

We have a 2 story home and I really do like it. It is nice to have the kids upstairs, although I do wish the master was up as well. In the next house it will be! I don't especially like walking up and down the stairs, but I really like having 2 levels.

 

[Castlebound]

We live in a ranch right now and our bedroom is just down the hall from our kids rooms. The bathroom is between our room and our DS, so we have a little bit of distance between us. We are getting ready to build what they call a 1 1/2 story (at least that is what they are called here). It will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs, but the master bedroom will be on the main level. Our kids are now 8 & 6 so we feel comfortable with this floor plan. When they were babies I don't think I would have liked it.