Saturday, February 14, 2009

A Happy Valentine's Day and more on the house moving/sale and living in the country.

So a Happy Valentine's Day to you all. We don't really do anything special for Valentine's Day. Me and dh just exchange cards. Although I did make dh a cross stitch card this year which made a nice change. Personally I think Valentine's Day is over rated, and in my opinion I don't think it should be all about the one day, it should be about every day you spend together, as I said just my opinion.........

So the house. Well on Friday we had two showings booked, will say I have no idea if either turned up, one I know cancelled, but not sure about the other one, as they didn't leave a card. As I am typing this Friday night, we have a showing booked for between 11am and 12 noon on Saturday. So have to admit we have had more action and interest in the house, over these past couple of days, than we had for the whole time we had it up for sale last time.

Monday is a holiday for us in Ontario, so we have decided not to accept any offers until Monday night...........I know we're being overly optimistic that anyone will put an offer in, but we have to be positive.

I called our insurance company to get a quote on insuring the new house and almost fainted when they gave me the quote, $1, 445.00, which is nearly $1,000 more than what we pay now. There are numerous reasons why it is more expensive, but even so. And the funny thing is when I commented it was $1,000 more than what we are paying now, the guy says, no, it's only $900 and odd more..........oh please!!!!

I also called to see how much the phone, Internet and satellite was going to cost and guess what that is also more expensive. So I am wondering what on earth people are talking about when they say it is cheaper to live in the country, as so far everything is going to cost us more? So please correct me on this, and tell me how living in the country is going to be cheaper, I'm all ears!!!

16 comments:

Christy Dawn Yoga said...

Wish I could help you on the house situation, I have no clue Gill! I too am anti-Valentines day, hubby knows not to get me anything but I did enjoy baking for the kids and hubby's work crew this year! Best of luck with the house!

Lindsay said...

Living in the country in the UK is definitely more expensive. We have to have two cars instead of one and a much longer distance to drive to amenities thus more petrol etc. Our heating is oil as no gas piped to rural areas and so that is more expensive to be trucked in. However living in a rural area has lots of advantages such as a thriving very friendly community, a village shop and a local pub. But above all lovely countryside and peace and quiet. I would not swap rural living for town life. I do hope all goes well with your house moves.

Anonymous said...

Living in the country - it can be cheaper, but there are also things that you have to watch like petrol. If you have a more simple life when you move to the country and are more home based in your life then yes I notice a big difference. I also try to by local when I'm in Devon, cutting down trips to supermarkets etc.

What holiday is it in Feb? I can't remember one then. Enjoy!

Best wishes with the house sale. Hope it all goes through quickly!

Winifred said...

Gill we don't even bother with cards. Agree with you it's more about every day rather than just one. My husband says it's a racket as everything is much dearer that weekend just like Mothering Sunday. Total rip off!

Winifred said...

Ooops forgot to say best of luck with the house sale. Yes I think it is dearer living in the country here too. Transport costs and food especially. Fast internet access isn't always available either. You might spend less on impulse shopping though as you wouldn't be just popping out for a loaf and buying a top you see as you go into the supermarket.

Oh my! I'm watching James Martin's Saturday Kitchen and a chap has just asked his girlfriend to marry him. It's definitely interrupted the programme the crew are in tears!

stitchersanon said...

Nope..not cheaper, just different. You really depend on your cars because there is no public transport, you are more likely to be at risk of the elements because in cities the Urban Heat Effect keeps you slightly warmer and more moderate (but wetter lol). If you have land you can expect to spend nearly every day looking after it 9you do get a few weeks off in January lol) and people charge more to come out on call out.
You can make it cheaper...use a multifuel range to provide your heating and grow things to coppice to provide fuel....grow your own food in bulk, buy a small house like we did which just needed tlc, and not have a mortgage...still, takes a few years to get pay back on the heating etc.

Quality of life though...that is priceless. lol

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Glad to hear things are moving on the house front Gill, good news indeed.

We are going out this evening for a meal partly because OH is going to be away all next week from early Monday morning and, we rarely go out together in the evenings. But the table is booked for 7 pm and I imagine we will be home well before 9! A x

Ms Opinionated said...

Hi Gill,
Seems we are the same page when it comes to Valentine's Day - I too wrote about the same thing on my Blog. http://gypcrose.blogspot.com/

Re: the new house - well, maybe this is where we city folks might take stuff for granted. They always say grass is greener on the other side, but is it ever true? Don't worry about the difference in money, focus on how much you love this house...it is gorgeous...and worth every penny!

Scrappy quilter said...

I agree, not cheaper just a whole lot more peaceful. No rushing around, a whole lot less noise and just the fact you can look outside and see nothing but the trees and grass is so much better than city living. The quality of life is so worth it. Also once you've lived there for a bit, you'll find ways to cut costs. Still praying your home sells quickly.

ChaChaneen said...

I agree with most that if you bring your city living habits to the country than it will definitely cost more.

I'm definitely not Pioneer woman so the city life is more for me.

Happy Valentines Day Gill!! Have a sweet weekend!

Janet said...

Get your insurance agent to shop around and get you a better deal. When we bought our house the first quote we got was astronomical, when I complained, she found me a great deal. I can't remember what the savings were now, only that it was oodles. So much so that I took her a bunch of flowers to say thanks.

Gill - That British Woman said...

thanks for all your lovely comments, all are greatly appreciated.

Gill

Daffodilly said...

I agree it is a total rip off. In USA everyone buys cards for everyone...so over commercialised!

Sandi McBride said...

Will you have a garden? Food will be cheaper if you grow your own, I'm told...we grow our own, but I can't see that it costs us any less...and the work in laying by a garden is ghastly...but we love the freshness of the food and no poisons that we know of on the plants...but the quiet of the country will be lovely! Or so they tell me...I have to sleep with a fan going at night to make noise to help me sleep...oh well, I've not been much help my dear, so sorry!
Sandi

Evelyn said...

living in the country can be more expensive, you pay more for gas and maybe a second car. you may have to pay to have your driveway plowed if it is long. cost more to mow. houses are cheaper though. heating can be more expensive if the house is bigger.

cheshire wife said...

Living in the country definitely is not cheaper. Houses themselves are probably less but evertything else tends to be more expensive.

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