Friday Five

[asheris]

1. How many houses/apartments have you lived in throughout your life?

1. Mobile home in Mankato (where I was born) while Dad finished college 0-8 months
   
2. Same mobile home (I think) in Frazee, where my Dad had his first teaching job 8 mo - 3 1/2 years
   
3. Apartment in Waseca, near the HS where my Dad got his next job 3 1/2 - 4-ish
   
4. "214", the big old house we rented from the funeral director. It was between the funeral home and the post office. We had to move when the funeral director decided to sell the house to someone who would have it moved, because he needed the lot for parking. We wanted it, but couldn't afford the house, a new lot, AND the cost of moving it. 4-ish to 6 1/2
   
5. Duplex we rented while our house was being built 6 1/2 to 7+
   
6. Mom and Dad's house, a 70's wausau that we moved into just after Christmas '77 7+ - 19, plus a couple summers
   
7. 418 Murray, 2 roommates 4 mo at 19
   
8. 416 Murray 1 horrendously messy and gross roommate 4 mo at 19
   
9. 418 Murray - sophomore (1 roommate) & junior (1-2 roommates) years
   
10. 2117 apartment with two roommates, summer between junior and senior years. Plan was to stay through the school year, but the building was sold and new landlords jacked up the rent 25%. 3 months
    
11. 2210 The Palace Huuuuge 2br, overlooking a lawn on one side, and across form a golf course on the other. The kitchen was a dream, the living room was huge, and there was a dining room with a built-in breakfront. 1 year
    
12. 2217 Boyfriend's house in the western 'burbs. Basic 2br post-war ranch. 2 1/2 years together, 10 months alone
    
13. 249 downstairs, upstairs - rented half a duplex from a friend. Utterly f'd up situation. 2 1/2 years
    
14. My own private treehouse, my "luxury" apartment on the second floor, in a wooded area of the 'burbs. 3 1/2 years.
    
15. May 2003 - ? Don't know. Utterly at a loss.
    

2. Which was your favorite and why?
214, no question. Big front porch, LR, DR, kitchen, biiiig pantry, big entryway, 4 bedrooms up, 3-room attic, gorgeous woodwork all over. Landing with a bay window, split staircase, built-ins, big step-in linen closet, workbench and cold cellar in the basement. Biggish yard with apple trees and a huge rose tree over the side door. Did I mention the gorgeous dark hardwood and leaded windows?


3. Do you find moving house more exciting or stressful? Why?
Stressful. Hell. I have lots of stuff. (and that's just the furniture and books) Travel is good, but I like to have one permanent, settled place to come back to.


4. What's more important, location or price?
Location, definitely. I wish I could totally ignore price, but if it comes down to two that are similar in price, location wins every time.


5. What features does your dream house have (pool, spa bath, big yard, etc.)?
Older home, 2 - 2+ stories, lots of hardwood, leaded glass, built-ins. 4 bedrooms, library, master bath, walk-in closet(s), at least one sun room. Jacuzzi bath in one of the bathrooms, sauna in the house, workout room. A few fireplaces, including in the library. Big yard, with space for gardens and a small pond with a waterfall. Lilacs, apple trees, herb garden, vegetable garden, 2+ car garage with attached workshop and small greenhouse. The kitchen would be big, with a working pantry, center island with a bar sink, wine cooler, granite countertops, "trio"-style fridge, 5-6 burner gas range with grill/griddle, high-quality vent and fan, double wall oven and warmer. Chest freezer in the basement, near the cold/wine cellar.

Nah, I haven't thought about this at all...