FeelingGreat.....that is sooo funny!
I am right here is America....close to Washington D.C. (Virginia side).

I have to agree with you, in general. I'm not too fond of stairs to an upper level, either.

I think that a one story house, supplemented by outside buildings is the "ideal".

If we had the wide open space that Australia has..then the land would be cheaper than it is and we could build accordingly.

Oh, well.......

dandylion

***you don't even want to know what images are sometimes presented to us in the media about Australia...LOL!!
I picture that all the men are like Keith Irvin or Crockodile Dundee...lol.

(I loved the The Thornbirds).

I also live in NJ, the most expensive real estate state, land of high car insurance and property taxes....

I have that one story ranch townhome end unit with a wooded view and deck, heated florida room, fireplace, giant living room, 2 baths, 2 bedrooms....I have remodelled practically everything, replaced the windows, gutted both bathrooms and kitchen, new floors

my property taxes are close to 5K but i do not own the property nor do i have a garage. my maintenance fees are $300. a month on top of my mortgage...(which is almost paid off)....my car insurance is $1,400. a year on NJM, the cheapest.

Lexie, do the neighbors also have this issue? or just you?

Guys, I live in a nice 1800 sq foot house in the Midwest in a Big Ten town, and if I told you how little I pay in rent, you would die.

The only downside is that it's the Midwest.

Lexie, I think this is a good time to tell you that I think you are absolutely wonderful. I have had some serious home issues this past year, and the stress was quite awful. For you to be under such stress (and yup, I remember this issue for you before in the basement), and maintain your sobriety is awesome. You are awesome. You give such thoughtful input here and I appreciate you very much.

I am sorry you are going through this, but very happy of your maintained sobriety!

Tight hugs my friend!

WOW Lexie, I can't believe all that you are going through! ((((hugs))))

Add me to the list of those ready to trade ownership for a nice rental, the JOYS of home ownership are sometimes overwhelming!