Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

A smaller house with a big yard?

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

What's big and small?

I think I could settle for a smaller yard ( before a mll house), but it would depend on how small. I could not live with practically no yard ( like how some corner houses have bout 8 feet from back of house to fence, no way! But if I could still entertain some people and kids could play, it could work.

On the other hand how big of a house are we talking? I don't consider my house small it's a wideline Cape: 4 bedrooms, full basement, LR, DR, extenstion( sunroom) kitchen an 2 bathrooms. I wouldn't want anything much bigger and def not smmller.

Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

big house - you def spend more time indoors than out

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

House is about 3000 sq. ft. Yard is exactly like you mentioned. Corner, very narrow but there is a deck and some open room on either the side. I'd say enough for a swingset.

The house we are in now is only about 1300 sq. ft. but we have a huge open yard.

Message edited 8/31/2012 9:33:14 PM.

Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

I would not settle for either & still look to find a betters compromise.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Neither

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

First answer is neither - keep looking.

Second answer is small house, big yard. I can add onto a house, but I can't make property bigger. (this assumes that the yard is big enough to accommodate a bigger house and still be a "big enough" yard.)

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

I spend most of my time outside weather permitting, I'm on my deck right now and I have animals that require a decent yard. Our property is only 100x100 but our house is centered so the backyard is a good layout.
The small yard would be a deal breaker for me

Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Definitely smaller house with a big yard. You will then always have the option to expand your house if you have the room. My kids are always in the yard. Its great for them to have the room to play kickball or wifle ball. We really enjoy the yard.

Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger yard. You can always expand your house into your yard.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Interesting! Thanks everyone. We are def not staying here and haven't even "really" started looking but I found this house online that is exactly what I want inside in the perfect location at a great price and when I drive past it I realized just how small the yard was. I'm bummed but it got me thinking if it came down to it, could I live in an amazing house but not have the open yard I'm used to. The 1 good thing is that it does have the nice deck and also there's a park within walking distance.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Message edited 9/1/2012 9:05:03 AM.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger house, smaller yard - since it sounds like you will still have enough yard to do what you want.

Keep in mind, the larger the yard, the more time you will be spending doing upkeep, or the more $$$ will you be spending to have someone else do it.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger yard for sure.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger house, smaller yard.

I have a small house with a big yard. As long as I could have a patio set, bbq, and a few play things for the kids... I'm good. I don't use most of my yard.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger house smaller yard. We don't spend to much time in the yard anyway.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Big house for sure. The interior living space is far more important to me than the outdoor space. Hands down.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

I would look for something else. However, if I had to pick, I'd probably go with the smaller house and larger yard. DH and I are in a very small starter home right now, but we have two big yards (corner property). I'm very happy that we have room for huge barbecues all summer.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

I think it depends on your needs and the definition of "big" and "small." Are we talking a 1200 sq foot house v. a 3000 sq. foot house, or are we talking 2200 sq. feet v. 2500 sq. feet? Same with the yard -- are we talking an average sized lot for the area or slightly oversized v. very oversized, double lot type scenario?

Personally, I would probably pick the larger house, as long as the yard was at least average sized for the area, and big enough for me and my familiy to use the way we enjoy using our yard -- a deck to sit on, big enough to host small bbqs, big enough for ds to play, big enough to grow some vegetables and herbs. For my lifestyle, if I had a huge sprawling yard, I don't think I'd use it any more or any differently than my modest sized yard (I have a 75 by 100 lot, which is a little oversized for my area -- 60 by 100 is norm here).

Larger interior space of the home could always be useful. I like to entertain, host holidays... I like having formal spaces and more casual spaces. Most people these days like bigger kitchens, bigger bedrooms. And since we live in a 4 season area, we probably only spend significant time outside in the May through October months, which isn't even half the year. I wouldn't want a huge house on a postage stamp sized lot, but as long as the yard was at least comparable to other properties in the area, the yard wouldn't deter me.

But I think it's just a matter of personal preference and how you live. Also, the lot size will never change, whereas the size of the house could be changed, if you had the money (or if you are or are married to a contractor!), by building up, out, etc.

If the differences in the size of the homes and lots were not that significant, then I'd just pick the one I liked better and what works for you better overall.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger house, smaller yard. Right now we have a house that's a little smaller than I'd like and a yard that's a little too much upkeep for me. I can't wait to expand the house!

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

Bigger house. You live mostly inside if you think about the hours spent.

That's what we have now. Wish we had a little more yard but the upside is that we don't have a lot of lawn maintenance.

Re: Would you rather a big house with a tiny backyard or

I wouldn't compromise on either really. I mean sure I'd take the smaller house if it had the bigger yard, but it can't be smaller than what we need for our family, KWIM?