Quote:
Originally Posted by CliffFletcher
I have a big lot and it takes me less than 20 minutes a week to mow my yard, my neighbour’s, and the boulevard. Hardly a huge time or money sink. I don’t fertilize or hire landscapers, so the only cost is the lawnmower. Pruning the trees and bushes is a pain, but it doesn’t cost anything. My wife gardens because she enjoys it.
In return we get an expanse of private, pleasant green space. The setback from the sidewalk gives us privacy at front - which is nice because it’s a somewhat busy feeder road with buses going by, people walking dogs, etc. The trees are nice too, and help keep the house cool - trees are also good for the environment.
Our backyard is an oasis. Several shade trees, including the canopy of a beautiful mountain ash. There’s a school yard behind us, but a large berm blocks sight. Bushes and trees on either side give us privacy from neighbours - the bar my neighbour built on the fence is there when we want to socialize.
It’s south facing with sunlight throughout the day, but has shade trees and a green lawn for cooling down. Add the pond and fountain, the bloom of perennials from the garden and blossoms from the apple tree, and the plush deck furniture, and it’s an extremely pleasant place to spend a nice day or evening. Also great for hosting BBQs. In the warm seasons I spend 2-4 hours a day in my back yard/deck. And all totally private - we can eat dinner or I can doze out there with a book and we’re not in a fishbowl like modern builds.
I could never live in an apartment or condo. The hive-packed proximity to other people 24/7 and lack of green space would drive me insane. I’d honestly rather live in the greasiest ####box house in Erin Woods than a new apartment. Even new builds with huge houses and tiny yards wouldn’t suit me. Gotta have my green space and privacy.
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Twenty minutes? I don't see how that's possible. Getting in and out of your yard clothes, mowing, trimming, and sweeping/blowing off the sidewalks takes 20 minutes to do your house and your neighbour's? You should start a landscaping business because that's beyond fast on even a super small yard.