2-story vs. 1-story home

[Nickel]

We refinanced just a couple of years ago so our rate is pretty good, but I have thought that it could. E lower and not affect our payment as much on a larger house. There is one house listed now that I've considered, but the taxes are $1500 a year higher and I know the utility costs will be higher in a larger, two story home-plus it has a pool, which I very much want, but know there will be additional costs associated with.

[QuickSilver]

Prefer single story homes. Lower utility cost.

[EggHead]

DH insists on a 1 story -- basically 1 A/C unit to pay for
I'd like a 2 story but with a 2nd A/C unit to pay for and for some reason they don't build houses here with central vac, then I guess I'll stick with a 1 story.
I would have to say that our big drawback is the overly high ceilings, having to climb into the attic for storage and some "genius" thought it was a good idea to put a water heater in the attic (however not every 1 story house is like this).

[CLRB]

We built on our lot so we had the room we wanted. With that said, we have a guest room (2nd master) downstairs, and the other 3 bedrooms upstairs. I like sleeping with the windows open (when weather allows), and am not comfortable doing so with the bedrooms on the ground floor. Also, when we have guests, there is no reason for them to be upstairs at all.

The house we lived in, before building this one, had the master down, and the other bedrooms upstairs. I felt like I was living in an oversized apartment.

[flin]

We live in Eldorado Fairways and are in a 1 1/2. 3,210 sf. 3 bedrooms, office, 2 full baths down. Upstairs is game room, media room, and full bath. Also have a 3 car garage. I know of at least 3 different 1 1/2 floor plans in our subdivision. All Highland homes.

[scrsvs]

We built our 1 story house and love it. I would never go back to a two story. We have plenty of space and the utility costs are great. The house is set up in four corners. The living room and kitchen is the center of the house, one corner is the master suite area, one corner the kids rooms, one corner is the guest suite, and the last corner is the game room and media room. It is a great floor plan where everybody has their own area. There are some great one story plans out there.

[Brownie64344]

You will find out what the "big deal" is with climbing stairs if, and when, you ever have knee problems.

[Nickel]

Great point! Hubby had knee surgery years ago, when we lived in a hillside apartment (one flight down, then two up). Since we have plenty of time, I think I'll hold out for the right 1 or 1-1/2 story. We live in Allen and I'd really like to stay here, for what's it worth.

[Marion]

Are you going stay in the house long term? If so, you have to think about the later years going up and down, and up and down. It really is good excercise though. Just my thoughts for what it's worth lol.

[Indymom]

In an ideal world.
One story home with huge kitchen/family room.
Full basement - (3/4 finished) secondary family/game room plus a bedroom and full bath for guests or snoring husband.
I was spoiled in TX with a first level master. Wow I miss that.