Basement living...is it real?

[CraKaJaX]

I'm really questioning humanity right now.

Good god. How does this even happen? This is probably the person with 12 kids.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Basement dwellers have a problem with abstraction. The existence of an actual basement is irrelevant. Basement dwellers all share an isolationist view of the world, are uncomfortable in social situations, dislike interacting with other humans face to face and, believe the best relationship with others is to be "left alone." They believe the world is represented through their only window, the monitor on their desk.

 

[Linflas]

LOL I'm loving this shit! This is great. About the basement flooding thing, are they build for that? It seems like it couldn't be accidental. I mean, home builders know they might flood, so aren't they designed to hold up to flooding? I know if you are living down there that could cause problems for you, but they aren't really designed for expensive TVs and furniture etc.
Those nasty basement pics...oddly interesting. Very odd. And very interesting.

Every house I have lived in had a basement, none of them have ever flooded.

 

[pontifex]

When I was younger, like elementary school (early 80s), my grandma lived in half our basement. It was a finished basement with wood paneling, carpet, etc.

She had a large single room, like a living room with couch, chairs, tv,etc, and a separate bedroom.

 

[BurnItDwn]

My uncle lived in my grandmothers basement during a lot of his 20s because he did not have enough income to purchase a house. That said, my uncle is one of the least isolationist types in the world, he can go and start a conversation with anybody and everybody, and he can have them laughing in a minute. He is the most charming person I have ever seen. the Zen master of charisma.

 

[ImpulsE69]

For those who have never seen basements, they don't all look like what you see here. Most just look like additional rooms of a house. Ours is mostly finished and houses our arcade, office/recording studio, sewing room, and torture chamber.

 

[steppinthrax]

In here if you don't agree with someone's opinion or you have a radical view you live in your mother's "basement". My rebuttal is to say "Oh yeah, I live in my mom's basement with my wife and 2 kids"....

I've actually left my parents house at 16/17. I never came back. I created a thread on here a few years ago asking when people left their parents house. I was surprised to find people leave in the 20's etc....

 

[steppinthrax]

For those who have never seen basements, they don't all look like what you see here. Most just look like additional rooms of a house. Ours is mostly finished and houses our arcade, office/recording studio, sewing room, and torture chamber.

In most states a Basement is classified as a non-habitable space. That is why it's not factored into sq footage calculations.

 

[rudeguy]

I live in Michigan. The vast majority of houses have basements with a good number of them being finished. I prefer basement dwelling. Its cooler in the summer and that giant fireball doesn't get to me. Plus the neighbors can be as loud as they want and I don't hear them.

Most of the people I know either have their man cave, rec room or bedroom in the basement. Its much better than dealing with the upstairs.

 

[Harrod]

I lived in the basement of my parents house when we lived in Illinois and Kansas. Later after college my mom apologized for my room being down there. I never really understood why, my room was the size of the entire floor above me. I had a ping pong table, a pool table and one of those basketball games that you see at dave and busters.

 

[steppinthrax]

Basements can be awesome!!! I've seen some basements remodel with floating floors (hardwood) drywall and everything. In general it looks better then the rest of the house. It becomes a multipurpose room....

 

[ImpulsE69]

In most states a Basement is classified as a non-habitable space. That is why it's not factored into sq footage calculations.

This is true where I live. Due to flooding etc. However its usefulness and all of that really depends on where you live. We live on the top of a hill so the likelihood of flooding is practically zero, but the chance of getting wiped out by a tornado is increased Some peoples basements flood almost yearly.

 

[steppinthrax]

This is true where I live. Due to flooding etc. However its usefulness and all of that really depends on where you live. We live on the top of a hill so the likelihood of flooding is practically zero, but the chance of getting wiped out by a tornado is increased Some peoples basements flood almost yearly.

Every basement i've known has leaked or seeped in some way!!!!! My parents basement had a sump pump and it would come on every now and then. My first home had a sump pump as well. However the previous owner had french drains installed to channel water to the sump basin. My current basement has no sump pump however, it does seep water in one corner. We also have a dehumidifier to remove water , so yes there are some water issues...

 

[TheSlamma]

Yes OP it's very true and in cases where there isn't a basement it's still the premise of kids (not an adult till you move out and take care of your own business) either still living with their parents or moving back in when college didn't work out or they couldn't make anything of it.

Left with no responsibility in their lives they are pretty much useless outside of their sedentary hobby of choice.

 

[Belegost]

I live in Michigan. The vast majority of houses have basements with a good number of them being finished. I prefer basement dwelling. Its cooler in the summer and that giant fireball doesn't get to me. Plus the neighbors can be as loud as they want and I don't hear them.

Most of the people I know either have their man cave, rec room or bedroom in the basement. Its much better than dealing with the upstairs.

Same around here in CO. Last place we rented had a 1100 sqft finished basement, with a full bathroom, guest bedroom/study, and family room area with cable, as well as the laundry room, and HVAC/water heater room.

For op - some pics of nicely finished basements: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=finished+basement&FORM=HDRSC2#a

 

[rudeguy]

Same around here in CO. Last place we rented had a 1100 sqft finished basement, with a full bathroom, guest bedroom/study, and family room area with cable, as well as the laundry room, and HVAC/water heater room.

For op - some pics of nicely finished basements: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=finished+basement&FORM=HDRSC2#a

When I worked for the cable co, I learned that basements vary greatly depending on the area. Since I've always lived in MI, I always assumed everyone had big basements. Then I talked to people from the South and Cali who had none and people on the East Coast who had little ones.

That's right Highland145. You have a little one!

 

[KeithTalent]

We lived in a basement suite while I was in High School. Yes, we were poor.

KT

 

[Humpy]

In most states a Basement is classified as a non-habitable space. That is why it's not factored into sq footage calculations.

Whether a space is classified habitable or not has little (nothing that I know of related to building code) to do with where it is located relative to the outside ground. What matters are things like illumination, fresh air, heating/cooling, ceiling height, square footage, egress, etc.

There are also not many reasons why basements should be damp or flood if they were designed and built not to.

 

[rudeguy]

Whether a space is classified habitable or not has little (nothing that I know of related to building code) to do with where it is located relative to the outside ground. What matters are things like illumination, fresh air, heating/cooling, ceiling height, square footage, egress, etc.

There are also not many reasons why basements should be damp or flood if they were designed and built not to.

The main reason in my area is the lack of fire exits. Code says a bedroom has to have 2 exits and most basement windows are not big enough to count as an exit. In other areas of the house it could be as simple as putting in a new window. In the basement you are looking at cutting out the foundation and digging out the area around the window to make those changes.

So both of you are right. Now kiss and make up.

 

[Humpy]

The main reason in my area is the lack of fire exits. Code says a bedroom has to have 2 exits and most basement windows are not big enough to count as an exit. In other areas of the house it could be as simple as putting in a new window. In the basement you are looking at cutting out the foundation and digging out the area around the window to make those changes.

So both of you are right. Now kiss and make up.

Yes, that's what egress means.

Also, as a rule, when I post it means everyone else is wrong, ugly, dumb, stinky, crazy, fat, manlet, diseased, guilty, or a racist and I am not any of those things.

 

[RockinZ28]

I practically live in mine . Gaming pc and home theater down here. Deciding what else to put in here, maybe a pool table. First time I've had a basement, don't remember ever seeing one in SoCal.

Doesn't really feel like a basement though, has doors to the backyard. Fourth bedroom down here as well. No chance of flooding. Just like a big ass space to do whatever you want. Think it's almost as big as my entire 2 bedrm condo was combined.

 

[ultimatebob]

We lived in a basement suite while I was in High School. Yes, we were poor.

KT

And now you're a Forum God. True rags to riches story!

 

[moonbogg]

I practically live in mine . Gaming pc and home theater down here. Deciding what else to put in here, maybe a pool table. First time I've had a basement, don't remember ever seeing one in SoCal.

Doesn't really feel like a basement though, has doors to the backyard. Fourth bedroom down here as well. No chance of flooding. Just like a big ass space to do whatever you want. Think it's almost as big as my entire 2 bedrm condo was combined.

Shit. That sounds awesome as hell. I want a basement some day. Totally serious.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

And I thought my bedroom was messy... guess not.

 

[Red Squirrel]

When I was still living with my parents and they were redoing the basement, I had the choice of moving my room to the basement. I had opted to keep it upstairs but had regretted it after all was said and done, would have been awesome to have my own space down there. Now I'm in my own house though, I get the whole house including the basement all to myself.