I did not mind it, I just went along with it growing up and it was mostly interesting moving around so much, especially going from living in Fayetteville NC for a few years to moving to Central America/Panama in the middle of 1st grade and it being so totally different. The one move I found kind of annoying was in South Korea starting High School not knowing a single person and then moving from one quarters after just a few months to another one on the other side of the base because it was a little nicer, packing everything up again was kind of annoying so soon just to move 2 or 3 miles away, but I just got used to the new place pretty quick. There are some negatives especially being a only child is you have to leave friends every few years, there are periods where you don't know anyone/have friends/anyone your age to hang out with, don't run into anyone you went to grade school, jr high, or high school in your local area but it was very interesting, I almost couldn't imagine living in the same area/house my whole/most of my life but I am sure you get used to that too.

 

I wasn't a military kid, but I went to 14 schools K - 12 in two states and two countries. I know exactly what you mean about not having "lifelong" friends from moving too much. At the same time, I wouldn't trade it for anything. The experience of living overseas without the military is completely different (I've done both) even when you think they speak the same language you do, the reality is, they don't. I have traveled a lot since school as well. Most Americans have no idea how great we have it here.

 

When we bought our house, the garage was my only requirement. Three cars had to fit because we have three cars and I wasn't interested in parking anything outside anymore. Our HOA requires cars to be parked inside, so there isn't an option to park outside and honestly it does a LOT to improve the quality of the neighborhood's appearance. No home has a garage facing the street, also an HOA requirement, so all the homes have high "curb appeal." The other requirement was the garage ceiling had to be at least 11' so it is possible to install a lift. 14 years later, no lift installed, but it's coming in due time, which is also why I won't put shelving above the door area. I'll be putting high lift doors in place so this space won't be available. That said, we can park all three cars in the garage and fully open the doors (not at the same time) without hitting the adjacent car. That was also a "critical" for me.

I've toyed with the idea of building an additional garage better suited to a permanent lift (I would not do this with the current set up because it wouldn't be possible to fully open the doors anymore) and a little like Jwconeil, I have 30' 10" across the three bays and 20' 11" deep. Supra, IS F and GS F all fit easily, and we always back in. I put parking stops in place to make it easy to distance from the garage doors when backing in.

 

I must be headed down Lance’s road, because I haven’t bought a lift yet either. I thought it would be my first home purchase. Hopefully I get it before the 14 year mark.

 

Why thank you

 

I totally understand, I have friends with parents in the military.

I think you missed my point-- I meant as an adult. There are some people who don't mind moving, and some who hate it. I fall into the latter category.

For example, one of my best friends, his mom is still moving from house to house (and making bank) like she and her husband always did. Unfortunately, her husband is very ill now, but she's still at it.

Then there are people like me, and my family. My mother thought about moving, thought hard, but then just decided not to deal with it. Her house is very very nice (we are the only ones who ever lived there, new when they bought) and there is just so much crap everywhere in the garage, etc. etc. (I don't mean hoarder--just, there's a lot of stuff in a big house.). I tried to push her but she finally told me she's staying and that's that, and I see her reasoning. I'm 30 years younger than her and I don't want to hassle with moving from my house either, let alone sell my equity, and just have to buy back in to this insane market.

 

I don't want some huggggge expensive house payment when ours is so laughably low it's ridiculous, so we're staying here and sitting on our return (100%). Going to put a pool in in the next 5 years since we're staying, lol my spouse finally gets their way. The boat is enough for me.

 

Lots of people making the same decision, which is why inventory is so low!

 

Lots of interest in brickwork coming from Colorado in this thread...