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Yes, I learned my lesson after moving into a 400-year-old thatched cottage because I thought it was quaint. The roof and windows leaked. It had limited central
by Veen 5y ago
Yes, I learned my lesson after moving into a 400-year-old thatched cottage because I thought it was quaint. The roof and windows leaked. It had limited central heating and was largely heated by a multi-fuel burner. That meant spending an absurd amount of money on wood, which I had to schlep around and split while the weather was appalling and then spend far too long lighting a fire and keeping it going all day, only for the heat to escape out of the ill-fitting single-glazed windows which couldn't be replaced because it was a Grade II listed building. The lovely ceiling beams and all the doors were slightly too low, so I was constantly banging my head on them.
All in all, not a great experience, although it looked very cosy in Instagram photos.
On top of which, this "cottagecore" trend is one reason none of the locals in my area can afford to buy a house. The house prices have skyrocked since Londoners decided living in the middle of nowhere was cool.
- lastofthemojito 5y agoI live in one of the few newer homes in an old mill town and it's great. I get to stroll the narrow streets, and admire the quaint architecture all around. The locally quarried stone used for the walls of the oldest buildings (which obviously made things difficult for accommodating additions containing bathrooms and kitchens). The charmingly narrow and irregular front doors on some houses, making it an impossible dream to move a typical new couch or appliance in. The turnbuckles used to stabilize some houses after all these years, and those cables being one more thing to hit your head on. Then I get home from a walk and enjoy the central air conditioning, tall ceilings, modern windows and level floors of my home. I know some of my neighbors in the older houses really enjoy them. They research the history of the houses and are enthusiastic about maintaining them and keeping things mostly original. The house basically becomes a hobby. Just about everybody likes looking at quaint old houses, so you have to find out if that's you or if you'd actually enjoy living in one too. I know I just like looking at them.
- closeparen 5y agoDealing with historic preservation would seem to defeat the purpose of living in a rural area.
- bserge 5y agoYeah, you fix the roof and windows. You buy and split all the wood during summer and place it as conveniently as possible. Building grading is major bullshit in this case, as is Instatok