If you had enough money to build at 4500 square foot home...

[linda_loo]

and were to use that money for a home, what would you buy?

I'm not sure if I phrased that well. On Friday, I was in a home that was over 4000 square feet, it was really beautiful, the love it and it suits their needs quite well. It was so much more than we could afford, and if I had that kind of money, I don't think I would want a home like theirs. I know about what they paid and I was thinking and dreaming of what I would do, if we could spend that much on a house. That happened to be around $400K - but I know that figure varies across the country. So, that's why I left the amount sort of open... like if you had the money that it took for a 4500 square foot home in your area... what would you buy/build?

~~~

I would want to spend more money on property, not in a subdivision, some place wooded and with nature nearby. I'd choose not so big house (http://www.notsobighouse.com/)sort of plan.

for example:
http://www.healthyhomeplans.com/images/home_plans/wild_rice/sketch.gif
http://www.healthyhomeplans.com/images/home_plans/rustic_retreat/photo1.jpg

[Asha]

oh, this is fun!!

this is what i would have in my 4,500 sq foot home that is not currently in my 1,200 sq foot home
$400k wouldn't come close to paying for that here in nyc. our home is worth about that much now, and it is a condo in a not-so-great neighborhood.

-gourmet kitchen
-dining room big enough for a party of about 30
-home theater
-game/play room
-5 bedrooms
-master bathroom
-separate apt for my il's
-exercise room that included a jacuzzi

my dreamhouse would be a brownstone in the city. technically, it wouldn't be something that we would need to build, but it would be fun to take a preexisting one and renovate to fit our desires.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/640336/2/istockphoto_640336_new_york_city_townhouses.jpg

[KarenS]

Dh and I have thought about this a lot - him being a Realtor and both of us haveing seen our share of what we thought were excessive homes.

There's a new neighborhood of homes a few miles from us that are built on a European design - small lots with walled courtyards, brick and stone exteriors, open, airy interiors with high ceilings, wood floors, attic storage, etc. That's the kind of home we'd buy. Then we'd probably add a lot of custom extras - especially in the kitchen (6 burner viking stove, wine fridge, double fridge, 2 ovens, prep island, etc.) and the bathroom (warming drawer for towels, double sized jacuzzi tub, mltiple shower heads, and so forth). I honestly am not entirely sure we could spend that kind of money (what a 4,500 sq foot house would go for in our part of Atlanta) on a home and still be comfortable. Now if you're including furniture and landscapings and kitchen stuff (pots, pans, dishes, so forth) I think we might be able to come close ... but to be honest that kind of lifestyle is not "us".

I'd be more inclined to spend about 1/2 of it on our house and maybe spend the rest on either a cottage in the beach or a cabin in the mountains! :)

Karen

[chefker]

Hmm...well, I'm an old house fiend, so if money was no object, I'd probably want to buy an existing property, and sink lots of $$$ into it customizing it to exactly what I want. :)

Plus, 4500 square feet is really too big to me (personal preference)...our house we're in now is 2500 square feet, and feels 'just right' for us.

But...if I were to build my 'dream home', I might go with something like this (http://www.houseplans.com/plan_details.asp?id=8971&st=12).

Or this one (http://www.houseplans.com/plan_details.asp?id=10184&st=5).

Honestly, if I had that kind of money (that it takes to purchase a 'big' home in my area), I'd stay in my current home, and remodel the hell out of it. ;)

[amew]

Hmm...well, I'm an old house fiend, so if money was no object, I'd probably want to buy an existing property, and sink lots of $$$ into it customizing it to exactly what I want.

Agreed. I would use the money to buy an old house in an established neighborhood near downtown. No new houses for me, particularly not if it means being in a far-flung suburban community. My ultimate dream house would be a home built in the 1920s-1930s that I could remodel, restore, and customize to suit my needs. We probably could have built a 3500 sq. foot new house in the suburbs for what we paid for our house--instead we chose to buy a 1780 sq. foot house that was built in 1946. It just suits our lifestyle and taste better.

[mayiko]

I'd be more inclined to spend about 1/2 of it on our house and maybe spend the rest on either a cottage in the beach or a cabin in the mountains! :)

Karen


That's what I would do. Also with a 4500 sq ft home lifestyle there's a lot a pressure to keep up with the Jones. I live in a 1300 sq ft home right now there is the three of us and it just feels just right. I would like a bigger home in the future maybe 2500 sq ft. Plus 4500 sq ft equals a lot of cleaning.

[{b}]

Ha! For $400K around here, you can barely get 450 square feet!

I think 4500 sq. ft. would be far too much house for us. I'm a lazy house keeper as it is, I can only imagine having that much more space to deal with. Unless we had 5 kids and the inlaws living with us, we'd never want or need that much space.

[EJH]

Hmm...

We'd buy property that backs up to a state forest. I love houses built in the early 1900s, but it would have to be completely renovated .... windows, plumbing, aesthetics. We're in a 1910 house here ...2500 sq feet. Love it and hate it. With the aforementioned changes it would be perfect. Wouldn't want a 4500 sq foot house. Not a clue what we would do with all that space. We can't even furnish this house!!

The biggest thing would be space though, I hate being so close to the neighbors.

Erin

ETA -- we're in MA so $400K not by us what we are looking for. At all. $4M maybe...:rolleyes:

[amorey]

I would spend it all on location. We love old houses and living in the city, so I think we'd buy a 1920's home in the nicest neighborhood in Minneapolis. 2500 feet would be as big as I'd want to go. We'd install central air with whatever money we had left.

This one (http://www.edinarealty.com/Consumer/Listing/ListingDetail.aspx?Search=b4b2e615-6a5f-4248-b84c-a07ba52b3929&Listing=8501419) would be just right. :)

http://edinaimages.fnistools.com/Images/Listing03/9/Large/3092232_1.jpg

[linda_loo]

Ha! For $400K around here, you can barely get 450 square feet!

I think 4500 sq. ft. would be far too much house for us. I'm a lazy house keeper as it is, I can only imagine having that much more space to deal with. Unless we had 5 kids and the inlaws living with us, we'd never want or need that much space.

I know that $400K in Pittsburgh isn't what it is in other cities, I'm not asking what $400K would buy in your area, If you had enough money to buy a 4500 square foot home in your area, what would you do with it?

Now if you're including furniture and landscapings and kitchen stuff (pots, pans, dishes, so forth) I think we might be able to come close ... but to be honest that kind of lifestyle is not "us".

Not our lifestyle either, I think my friend's home is beautiful, and it is in a lovely neighborhood. She likes the lifestyle, I would rather live around more nature (and less neighbors). Yes, I think extra home, furniture, landscapings, even maid services, are part of the dream.

The European design-homes sound gorgeous!

[beachlvr]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. If I had enough money to buy a house that big, I could afford to have someone clean it. A few years ago, we thought we were going to be able to afford one and started looking at houses and I came up with a list of what I want.

My requirements are 5 bedrooms, an office, a separate fromal dining and living room, a family room, and a full basement. And the master bedroom needs to be separated from the other bedrooms and has to include a sitting area.

Here's one I like a lot:

http://images.homeplans.com/plan/www_fpv_gif/21135.gif

http://images.homeplans.com/plan/www_f2v_gif/21135.gif

http://images.homeplans.com/plan/www_f1v_gif/21135.gif

[greenbunny]

I would want to copy the floor plans of an old Victorian home. I want turrets, secret passages, circular stairs, all the stereotypical spooky goodies. The kind of house with a mish-mash of rooms on multiple levels, and rooms going into other rooms, with a few stairs in between, rather than a square with one set of 13 stairs and a center hall like modern homes.

[KarenS]

I would want to copy the floor plans of an old Victorian home. I want turrets, secret passages, circular stairs, all the stereotypical spooky goodies. The kind of house with a mish-mash of rooms on multiple levels, and rooms going into other rooms, with a few stairs in between, rather than a square with one set of 13 stairs and a center hall like modern homes.Oooh yeah. That would be my second choice. Anything with cubbies and turrets and stuff lke that.

Karen

[wendalah]

If I could afford to buy a 4500-sq-ft home in Southern California, I could afford to buy darn near whatever I wanted. So that would be a single-story midcentury modern plan (but brand-new construction) in Malibu, with an ocean view but not right on the beach.

[Elenna]

I would want to copy the floor plans of an old Victorian home. I want turrets, secret passages, circular stairs, all the stereotypical spooky goodies. The kind of house with a mish-mash of rooms on multiple levels, and rooms going into other rooms, with a few stairs in between, rather than a square with one set of 13 stairs and a center hall like modern homes.

I'd like one of those, too!:D

[artist]

Here is a beauty on the very fancy Summit Avenue in St. Paul:




Price: $1,700,000
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 3
Square Feet: 4540
Year Built: 2004
Garage Description: Attached Garage, Driveway - Concrete, Garage Door Opener, Heated Garage, Insulated G
Amenities: Exercise Room, Hardwood Floors, In-Ground Sprinkler, Kitchen Window, Local Area Network, Natural Woodwork, Patio, Porch, Security System, Tiled Floors, Vaulted Ceiling(S), Washer/Dryer Hookup
Fireplace Location: Family Room, Gas Burning, Living Room
Bathroom Description: Full Master, Main Floor 1/2 Bath, Separate Tub & Shower, Upper Level Bath, Whirlpool
Remarks: Fabulous New Home Combines Beauty Of Arts & Crafts, Elegance Of Queen Anne & Ease Of Maintenance Free Living. Includes Cherry Builtins, 2 Fps, Gourmet Kit & 4Th Roughed-In Ll 3/4 Ba. You'll Love The Superb Craftsmanship & Stunning Architectural Detail.

http://www.mlsfinder.com/mn_rmls/thehomebuyers/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=2346300&searchkey=7CEB548F-2DBA-41DA-85EF522CD33D57A9&npp=10&sr=11

[artist]

Here is another really gorgeous one, also on Summit Avenue, but built in 1895:



Price: $1,399,900
Bedrooms: 7
Bathrooms: 5
Remarks: Magnificent Mansion W/ One Of The Most Impressive Grand Foyers On Summit Avenue! Splendid Woodwork, Ornate Fireplaces, Generous Rooms, New Kitchen, W/T Family Room, Porches. 3Rd Floor Apt And Romantic 2 Story 2Br Carriage House.
Year Built: 1895
Square Feet: 7368
Amenities: Balcony, Hardwood Floors, Kitchen Window, Natural Woodwork, Porch, Tiled Floors, Washer/Dryer Hookup
Fireplace Location: Living Room, Other, Wood Burning
Bathroom Description: 1/2 Basement, Full Master, Main Floor 1/2 Bath, Private Master, Upper Level Bath

http://www.mlsfinder.com/mn_rmls/thehomebuyers/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=3143705&searchkey=7CEB548F-2DBA-41DA-85EF522CD33D57A9&npp=10&sr=11

This would really be the type of thing I would by if I won the lottery and decided to buy a mansion. I love that it is an old house with the most beautiful and intricate woodwork. I also love the idea of a carriage house! (ie: art studio??)


ETA:
But I do hate wall paper in general, so I'd probably over time get rid of all the wall paper and paint the walls.

[LeighW]

Nope. Too much house. Even with maid service.

A good friend of mine just bought a brand-new, 4500-ish sq. ft. house. It's beautiful but not my style. Plus, why drive out to the boonies to live in a house with a postage-stamp yard?

I'll buy a lot near to Linda's: large lot, lots of surrounding nature, smaller house. :)

[camberne]

We'd build a sprawling one-story house with a huge detatched garage/workshop for my evil-scientist husband. My house would have a home theatre (soundproof, of course), a huge crafting room with built-in cabinets and storage racks/book cases, huge kitchen (because, let's face it, that's where we all tend to hang out), a home office that doesn't double as a guest room, and a game room (with room for both ping pong and pool tables), a men's library, and a sitting room/library for me. All the bedrooms will have access to an attached bath (but two bedrooms may share access to one bath), and all bedrooms will have a built-in bookcase/desk. I want a wrap-around porch with a screened-in deck in the rear. I'm still debating on the salt-water swimming pool... can't have chlorine, but not sure if I want the headache of a pool.

Yes, I have all the color schemes for the rooms chosen and a preliminary floorplan... for if we win the lottery and I can do it. :)

[Kanga]

Have at least 2 acres
Custom cabinets in the kitchen (the ones that hide the appliances)
Walk in pantry
Custom walk in closet
4 reg bedrooms
1 master suite w/jacuzzi tub
Island or some other place for a breakfast bar in the kitchen
Heated floors.

[TazLuv]

Ooh, I want to play! :D

Someday our dream house will have:
- A GINOURMOUS Kitchen with the two level island with six or so bar stools, custom cabinets, and lots of other extras open to a "sitting" room for entertaining. (Is it just me or do people always end up in the kitchen when you entertain anyway?)
- A Home Theatre with a projector
- a double vanity master bath with his and hers closets
- a whirlpool tub and a waterfall shower
- a dark wood study for my DH
- a "craft" room, really just a room just for me where I can read or nap or work on whatever I want to do
- a HUGE deck with a built in grill/cooking area looking out over a large green or wooded area, not my neighbors' house

I'm sure there are lots more but that is all I can think of now! :)

[hmbay]

hmm well we built a house for more than $400K almost two years ago and it didn't have 4500 sq feet. It had 2500 with 1200 unfinished to make a total of 3700 when it's all finished (but to be fair it is on a 2.9 acre lot but interestingly enough the lot didn't cost much more than some .25 acre or less city lots in the next suburb over). So I'll list what I have (and will have once the basement is finished) that was on my "want" list and what I still "want" if I'd add another 1000 square feet or so (and didn't have to clean it).

Have:
--3 acres
--5 bedrooms
--4 baths
--separate living and family room
--fireplace
--large kitchen with island and walk-in pantry (and custom cabinets)
--separate office for DH's business
--large master bath with double sinks, separate tub (two person jacuzzi) and shower
--walk in closet in master
--lots of windows and natural light
--two stories with full walk-out basement
--front porch (although it is not very large)
--open floorplan

what I'd add:
--home theatre (maybe)
--playroom for the kids
--his and hers walk in closets
--walk in closets in the kids rooms
--exercise room
--game room for DH for his hobbies
--a more "luxurious" master bath--mine is large and nice but it doesn't scream "decadent" like some of them do. I'd like a large tiled shower among other things.
--a mudroom off the garage entrance (the laundry room and a 3/4 bath are steps away but there is no place to put stuff down like your purse etc without stepping into the kitchen/dining area.)
--more custom tilework and granite countertops
--extensive landscaping including deck, stamped concrete patio, stepping stones down to the creek in our backyard, pond with waterfall, various flowering trees
--a large shed for DH's car "hobby"

[artist]

My ideal mansion if I had more money than God:


-wood floors
-intricate wood work
-vaulted ceilings
-stain/leaded glass windows in places
-fireplace
-a view of the city
-a carriage house or something like that
-plus a good sized garage
-large basement with very high ceilings (maybe even a large garage door type thing for access from outside? This would work more if it were a warehouse as opposed to a beautiful old Victorian mansion though)
-if it were a warehouse though, I'd want one of those grain elevator type things (I am not using the correct term though for that type of elevator)
-a Steinway concert grand piano in a very large room that I will have extravagant parties in

Movie Theater
-black walls, sloped floors, very comfy theater seats, theater lighting, projector, excellent sound system, control room, etc.

Art Studio, etc. (again, why perhaps my "dream house" is just a big huge warehouse)
-painting area
-design area (top of the line computer, graphics programs, etc.)
-recording studio (yes, with control room, etc.)
-music rehearsal space
-woodworking area
-welding area
-area to work on cars, etc.

Gallery
-in that case, maybe I'd have this warehouse/house in a commercially zoned area and run a gallery business out of my "house" (hey, why not?

Kitchen
-slate floors, Cambria countertops, double electic oven but gas range with hood (in some fancy commerical brand), other very nice appliances of course, a very modern and inviting kitchen that has a lot of space, skylights, etc.

Master "Suite"
-heated floors in bathroom, jacuzzi, some other very nice luxurious features
-large bedroom (yep, still hardwood floors), high ceilings still, HUGE walk-in his and hers closets, French doors that lead out to a deck (not on main floor of house) with an icredible view of the city

Office/Library
-again, wood floors, woodwork, etc., floor to ceilings bookshelves filled with wonderful books, a stainglass skylight that creates patterns on the floor, fancy globe, historical maps and photos

Outside:
-beautiful gardens everywhere, landscaping that includes a pond, stream, or water somehow, an area that has almost a "secret garden" feel to it, people would sit and have little tea parties and somehow there would be people playing cricket
-if the home were on a lake or something, I would have a nice little rowboat or something
-lots of trees (weeping willows, birch trees, pine trees, apple trees, all sorts of trees)

Also:
-dogs, cats, animals

[hmbay]

artist--can I move in? :)

[heather 8^)]

I would spend the money on an eco-friendly house! Bamboo flooring, no-VOC paint, extra insulation, super energy efficient windows, tons of natural light, built-in systems for generating natural power and reducing water waste, water recycling system to water our natural landscape (no mowing required!), HVAC with air purification to increase indoor air quality, etc. etc. etc. :)

[LeslieandPaul]

My dream house (it doesn't even need to be 4500 sqft):
-4 bedrooms, plus a guest room
-2 baths (including huge master ensuite) up plus 1/2 on main (with kohler pedestal sink), and 1/2 in basement
-master ensuite with heated floors, soaker tub, big shower with double heads and a rain head
-media room in basement
-den on main floor
-family, living and dining rooms
-eating area off kitchen
-top of the line kitchen with stainless appliances, and an island, granite counters
-laundry room
-craft room
-wood or bamboo and tile or marble floors
-a view
-pool and hottub
-large grass area in back, and nicely landscaped front yard
-big stone patio for entertaining
-minimum 3 car garage for DH

[PinkMartini]

Ha! For $400K around here, you can barely get 450 square feet!

Ditto that!

I doubt I'd ever 'want' a 4500 sq. ft home, even if I could afford it. Way too much space and a waste of $ IMO.

[lml41981]

If I had the money it took to buy a 4500 square foot home, I would buy my grandparents' old home in Bethlehem, PA. I have such fond memories of that house. It is the house my grandfather bought with my grandmother in 1958 and it is the house he died in in 1995 (well, he died at the hospital...but you know what I mean). My grandmother sold the house in 2003 when she decided to downsize. It is a tudor on rolling hills with an in-ground pool, 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, an office, a large kitchen with breakfast area, large utility room, large dining room, large foyer, a family room and a living room and a huge finished basement with a wine cellar. It would be a dream come true for the home to be back in the family. It breaks my heart that it had to be sold outside the family.

[Asha]

lml - what a great way to spend the money! it sounds like a beautiful home filled with a lot of love, and that is priceless.

[sunshineab622]

This house is $750,000 & right around 4500 sq ft. If I had the $ this is the one I would buy.
http://maarpictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/47/hr2643947-1.jpg

http://maarpictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/47/hr2643947-10.jpg

I love this ceiling
http://maarpictures.marketlinx.com/MediaDisplay/47/hr2643947-8.jpg

[Bootsy]

If I could afford what a 4,500 sq. ft. house would cost in my state then I am certain I could afford to start off by putting it on 4 acres of land. Then I would hire the best architect to design the place because I would want a blend of these styles. Capecod, Georgian, Colonial, Federal and Plantation. I don't like high vaulted ceiling. So he would have to start with this as inspiration for the entry way. I prefer double doors though.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce96236ab6ff5700000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce96236a857e5400000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce96236ae8ff0900000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

Homes with large stairwells are very nice but I more of a close comfy cozy type and well frankly don't want a high heating bill even if I can afford it.

Then I would give him these photos to get inspiration for the exterior look.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce96234ff93ea200000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce96234421ffd700000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972fda5ee49700000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

[Bootsy]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972fd899e45100000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce96234aa4ff5500000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

It would have to have a basement complete with soundproof home theater room, game room, reading area, security room, full gym, wine cellar and kitchen. The game room would have an inwall fish tank and bar.


http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce962369c43e8c00000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df26b3127cce9623697e3e3600000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972ffaa0e47900000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972fffeea4ad00000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

[Bootsy]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972ffc73e4a900000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

I'd have an indoor pool as well as one in the backyard along with the indoor pool would be a sauna room and jacuzzi.

The master bedroom would be on the first floor with one room for the bed and fireplace with the tv enclosed above it and a seperate room with a sofa and chaise and all the dressers. Off the bedroom would be a patio and garden complete with outdoor fireplace and a swing in a gazebo. There will be another small seperate room connected with the master bedroom for a vanity and a few closets to hold all my lingerie.

The master bath will have his and hers sinks with a two person shower large jacuzzi tub. All cherry wood.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f0acee46f00000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f0a3ce49d00000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f0971a44900000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f0200e4a500000015102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f1ae8e44100000016102QbNHDdu2Ys

[Bootsy]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f1917a42700000015102QbNHDdu2Ys

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc09b3127cce972f19c425c400000016102QbNHDdu2Ys


Well since I can't seem to tell what I'd like without posting a photo I think I'll stop here until I'm up for more posting. There is lots more I would like.

The masterbedroom would have a huge walk in closet the size of a regular room. Five bedrooms, two with their own bath in addition to the master bedroom. Three full baths two half baths, two powder rooms.

His and her seperate offices. Full family room off the kitchen that has a separate breakfast area and great area with a fireplace and sofa for reading and entertaining while cooking. In the family room a large inwall tv.

A small family dining room and a large formal dining room for entertaining on holidays. A huge laundry room with three washers and dryers a large table for folding clothes a hanging area as well as a lay flat and dry area. Off this room would be an enclosed area outside to hang clothes on a line.

I'd want a music room with a grand piano. A finished attic complete with a large portion for storage, a play area for kids with beams strong enough for a swing. A kitchen and bathroom.


The actual kitchen area would be large with two islands one for prep work and the other for cooking. Walk in pantry and a large seperate standup freezer and fridge. Marble counter tops.
A library for reading in peace Complete with a wall waterfall. Each room in the house would have inwall speakers to talk to each other and to hear music through. The main areas like kitchen, basement, master bedroom, office, and backyard. will all have a small tv in the wall that is connected to the front gate so you can see who is ringing your bell.

A large mudroom off the 3 car garage that connects to the house.

That's all I can think of at the moment and well I guess I could say it without pics.:)

[phoenics]

I'd want a chateau-style home, possibly french gothic, like the Biltmore Estate - but clearly not that huge... I just love that style home... I love turrets and circular staircases... so anything with that decidedly french chateau style would work for me.

http://www.dreamhomedesignusa.com/tiffs/Chateau%20Renaissance%20.jpg

I'd also want the home to be on at least 10 acres (I grew up in Atlanta in a house on about 7 acres) and I'd want a carriage house.

A pool would be okay, but since we had a stream and a pond at our house when I was growing up, I'd rather have that... maybe a really cool creek - and the property definitely has to be surrounded by a forest of trees... at least enough to make a decent border.

If I won the lottery, the first thing I would do would be to purchase a ton of land somewhere that fit with the above plan.

[Asha]

A pool would be okay, but since we had a stream and a pond at our house when I was growing up, I'd rather have that... maybe a really cool creek - and the property definitely has to be surrounded by a forest of trees... at least enough to make a decent border

oh, my parents have a stream at their house too. it's wonderful! i used to sit out on the screened porch to study just so i could listen to the sounds of the stream.