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If invited, would you live in a log cabin - in your son's garden...?

(83 Posts)
DeeTales Sat 03-Sept-16 18:37:06

It's not a very big garden either. Long under discussion. Currently, I'm single, reasonably healthy with a busy lifestyle - and have a brave daughter-in-law! And 7 grandchildren not all in the same garden...The cabin build begins on Monday. My new Blog is also under construction. This will feature day to day, week to week, my thoughts and feelings at this (radical) move plus the occasional reference on Twitter (DeesKDiary) My 30th, and final, house move is but a few weeks away. Please, gransnetters, your support and encouragement would be appreciated.

PamelaJ1 Sun 04-Sept-16 16:21:42

I think that a lots of responders are thinking sheds rather than log cabins.
The scandinavians live in them and it's usually colder there than here.
They can be fabulous ( as I'm sure yours will be)
As long as you have your own front door and a bit of privacy I'm sure you will be very happy.

merlotgran Sun 04-Sept-16 10:58:01

I would also be very wary about living on somebody else's property. Living in a granny annexe works for us because we own all of it, including the main dwelling (bungalow) where DD and two DGSs now live.

If anything happens with her current relationship and she decides to move, we will have the choice of either staying put or selling up and moving somewhere else.

Christinefrance Sun 04-Sept-16 08:29:27

No, no a thousand times no. You seem to be an active ,independent person do not give that up. My daughter suggested a granny annexe some years ago when I was alone. Since then her relationship has broken down and she has moved house. I moved on remarried and am really happy. Nothing to do with the building or surroundings, the future is an unknown country so think carefully about your next move.

J52 Sun 04-Sept-16 08:05:44

It sounds all very Urban. Have you already got planning permission for a full time residence?

Maggiemaybe Sun 04-Sept-16 00:40:51

Yes, what milly said. Plus a big telly and good WiFi. And a bathtub. grin

Synonymous Sat 03-Sept-16 23:49:56

milly grin

millymouge Sat 03-Sept-16 23:46:15

Well I'm afraid I do like my comfort, part of getting older. I don't want much really but if it were insulated, no damp, central heating, constant hot water, shower room, wood burner, washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, small outside area, a promise that all that wood wouldn't attract spiders, near all conveniences I might consider it. You will see that I am prepared to rough it if necessary.

Synonymous Sat 03-Sept-16 23:33:49

This is not a simple question as there are too many unknowns.
It would depend where it was. On a busy road - no! A fantastic view - perhaps. More economical - possibly.
How long is a piece of string? hmm

merlotgran Sat 03-Sept-16 22:49:46

We stayed in a log cabin once on holiday. It was so lovely I reckoned I wouldn't mind living in one.

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 03-Sept-16 22:45:15

I wouldn't like all that wood around me. It would be like being dead I think it would be claustrophobic.

morethan2 Sat 03-Sept-16 21:46:55

Ah I get it now. I suppose if it makes economic sense and means you have family near in case of an emergency it's much the same as downsizing to a granny annex.

DeeTales Sat 03-Sept-16 21:33:41

My purchase. Their suggestion. Children older. Trampoline and swings have gone!!
Been a tenant for some years. We live in same town anyway. Tolerance on both sides, methinks. Usually find plenty to write about...

morethan2 Sat 03-Sept-16 21:13:14

Why? To free up capital? For an experiment? To be on hand for for brave DiL. I have a very brave sick DiL but I'm not sure I'd want to live in their log cabin. Yes it's next to the trampoline popular with their three little ones and all their friends, I don't think I'd have a moments peace. why would you? there must be a reason. I could understand a blog if your going to live somwhere out of the ordinary. The answer is a big fat no unless there was a very very good reason I won't be moving into my sons log cabin.

Auntieflo Sat 03-Sept-16 21:10:43

Now you've gone and spoiled my day dream. ? When DD and SIL moved to their house they had a summer house erected. ? I earmarked it for me when they had central heating and a jacuzzi installed. Then, when I shuffle off this mortal coil they can wrap me in a black sack and throw me over the fence into the Church graveyard. This was 16/17 years ago, and I am still awaiting the summer house upgrade. ?

DeeTales Sat 03-Sept-16 20:57:31

Interesting comments !!! Thanks. Very well built cedar wood, insulated etc, heated, wood burner. Cosy. My design. No, UK garden (relatively) small. I shall be totally independent, bathing, cooking. Very used to small space living. Planning Ok. NO council tax. What am I advertising? The Blog is not active but I would hope to offer it to this site eventually.

Jalima Sat 03-Sept-16 20:52:36

No, because the only place would be next to the trampoline.

willsmadnan Sat 03-Sept-16 20:41:17

I would love it... but then conventional bricks and mortar seem like a prison to me right now. I would love to live in a log cabin....always have done, even from a child. Seems to me like the ultimate comfort blanket...... I'd happily settle for a houseboat but don't think I could afford it. Just don't want to be confined by what's considered to be suburban living. Even our house in France is/was a bit too 'ordinaire' for me tho' DOH loved it. I guess I'm a frustrated homeowner. If I won the lotto ( well, I'd have to buy a ticket first) I'd buy one of those eco houses built into a hillside. My dream house!! Away from the madding crowd.

Jalima Sat 03-Sept-16 20:13:17

How big is big? A tiny suburban garden or an acre?

It is all relevant to where you are, if Australia or Canada perhaps yes, as a 'small back yard' could be five acres hmm

Wobblybits Sat 03-Sept-16 20:04:09

Co-incidentaly our son is trying to buy a farmhouse with barns etc at this very moment. He is hoping to convert one of the barns into an annex for us when we (or any of their friends) visit.
A well built and insulated log cabin would be just as comfortable as a brick building. Go for it.

MamaCaz Sat 03-Sept-16 19:50:56

It depends on so many things, such as how big will the log cabin be, how well insulated is it, will there be any rent to pay on it, are there any strings attached, would son's family respect my independance, how open / isolated is the garden?
I am coming at this from the angle of someone who lived for many years on a narrowboat and could cope with a smaller living space, but who would struggle to adapt to the confines of an enclosed garden that precluded regular contact with passers-by.

I sorely miss my past life now, and often say that I could live in a tiny home as long as it was in the right location and had the right sort of outside space (think American-style porch on two or three sides, and ideally on a canal towpath!!!).

Maranta Sat 03-Sept-16 19:30:50

Which country are you in DeeTales?. If you are in USA or Canada, yes I would love it. If in the UK, no thanks. Why? - space.

Ilrina Sat 03-Sept-16 19:25:39

sounds like a great adventure to me but with a built in safety net.
Go for it!!

merlotgran Sat 03-Sept-16 19:21:08

Some log cabins are really nice but having spent most of last year converting a building into a low maintenance, fully insulated granny pad at the end of our very large garden...I'm with jingl.

kittylester Sat 03-Sept-16 19:17:51

Do GNHQ now about the advertising? I'm staying put anyway!

tanith Sat 03-Sept-16 19:13:36

No hut for me either thanks , good luck