# If You Could Live in Any Existing House in the World as a Prize, Which One Would Be and Why? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389 "2010-11-12T03:38:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/21 "2010-11-12T20:37:51Z")
The houses in the movies _The Others_ and _The Changeling_, or the house in _Fanny and Alexander_. The Fanny house I like for the setting, and the light – there was so much light in that house. The other two because of the cabinetry, the built-in shelves and bookcases and all the wood trim and floors. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/22 "2010-11-12T21:05:37Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > The houses in the movies _The Others_ and _The Changeling_, or the house in _Fanny and Alexander_. The Fanny house I like for the setting, and the light – there was so much light in that house. The other two because of the cabinetry, the built-in shelves and bookcases and all the wood trim and floors. It’s funny that you have houses from movies on your list. I have every Manhattan Loft that I have ever seen in a movie on my wish list. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/23 "2010-11-12T21:15:22Z")
I’ve it posted before but I love [this](http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=35.152569,-120.667525&spn=0.001654,0.001701&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=35.15265,-120.667434&panoid=yNx-0XZU6Zik7peG4azmZw&cbp=12,321.88,,0,5) neighborhood. Not to mention if I had a free house for the rest of my life I could quit my job and become a professional beach bum. ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/24 "2010-11-12T23:40:16Z")
I would look around and pick the nicest thing within walking distance of work. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2010, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/25 "2010-11-12T23:57:22Z")
[Case Study House #22](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f4/Case_Study_House_No._21.JPG), aka, [The Stahl House](http://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4100058143/#/photos/x-ray_delta_one/4100058143/lightbox/), designed by Pierre Koening. So pure. So clean. And the view is fantastic. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/26 "2010-11-13T00:04:47Z")
Monticello. Thomas Jefferson knew how to live. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/27 "2010-11-13T00:06:06Z")
Either the [Biltmore](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biltmore_Estate), [Hearst Castle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle) , [Getty Villa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getty_Villa) , or [Huntington Library](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington_Library) . It’s not a mansion unless I need a golf cart to get to the front gate. ---
**Author:** ![J.D.G](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7993a0/32.png) [@J.D.G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J.D.G)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/28 "2010-11-13T00:10:25Z")
[This](http://www.google.com.au/images?hl=en&source=og&sa=N&tab=li&q=Edinburgh+Castle&biw=1366&bih=575) Nothing like lording over a city. Though I think the Scots might be a little pissed off if I did take it. ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/29 "2010-11-13T00:18:30Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > I always liked the [Gamble House](http://www.gamblehouse.org/photos/index.html). A friendly, beautifully-crafted bungalow in a mild climate (Pasadena). It served as Doc Brown’s mansion in _Back to the Future_ part 2. Really? I’ve toured it several times and I don’t remember them ever mentioning that it appeared in the _Back to the Future_ movie. If I have to pick my own house, of course it’s going to be a castle. I would pick the castle of Gruyères, right near where my father and brother live. [Sample photo](https://diuf.unifr.ch/event/sdn06/programme/img/gruyere02.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/30 "2010-11-13T01:28:07Z")
The House on the Rock in the Wisconsin Dells. Comes with a carousel, the infinity room, and is the largest house I have ever seen. I don’t remember how many rooms it has, but it’s a freaking lot. And if the contract pays to maintain the place, I could ride the carousel anytime I wanted to and never have to clean! There are also touristy food stands inside of it, which might be an innovative way to get around the food cost limitation. Why can’t I make money off of it, though? I could rent out half a square mile to somebody and make a living off of that. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/31 "2010-11-13T02:00:00Z")
I’ll take the home that Mukesh Ambani built recently in Mumbai. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/32 "2010-11-13T02:00:40Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Some of those rooms look pretty gaudy. Am I allowed any minor redecoration? You are allowed minor redecoration just like you would be for most leases but you have to pay for it yourself. Paint and superficial enhancements is no problem and you can buy and rearrange furniture all you want. However, all you really get is the house or castle maintained in its present state to live in. The constraints on that idea are a big part of the question and why it is something to think about. I claimed Versailles as my house the first time I stepped foot in it but it would start to seem pretty lonely if it were just me and loved ones living there with no entertainment budget so that wouldn’t be a great choice and neither would Buckingham Palace. You don’t get any guards or servants to go with that one either. The place stays as is within your taste and budget but nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/33 "2010-11-13T02:54:30Z")
San Simeon, aka Hearst Castle. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/34 "2010-11-13T03:17:30Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > You are allowed minor redecoration just like you would be for most leases but you have to pay for it yourself. Paint and superficial enhancements is no problem and you can buy and rearrange furniture all you want. However, all you really get is the house or castle maintained in its present state to live in. That’s kinda why I went with something non-spectacular. Obviously, my preference would have been different with different constraints - Biltmore House would have been my first choice, and would have put me closer to my family, but with the freedom not to have to interact with idiots, but my friends, life, job, and money are all here. So I went with a boring idea 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/35 "2010-11-13T03:38:56Z")
As long as the house and grounds were nice I don’t think I’d care much. But I would care, and care a lot, about where the house was. I’d be picking for some really choice place to call home. After actually taking a look at what else has been posted I should mention that I’m retired and don’t have to worry so much about making a living. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/36 "2010-11-13T03:51:58Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > Monticello. Thomas Jefferson knew how to live. X2 With air conditioning added… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/37 "2010-11-13T04:26:24Z")
I like the area I live in so I’d want a good house around here. The [Eastman House](http://www.landmarksociety.org/historicny/chapter9.htm) would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/38 "2010-11-13T05:19:21Z")
I’ll take [Chatsworth,](http://www.rogerswebsite.com/UK/North%20England/Chatsworth%20House%2016.jpg) please. ---
**Author:** ![Dereknocue67](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6de8d8/32.png) [@Dereknocue67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dereknocue67)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/39 "2010-11-13T10:12:26Z")
I would select my current house because that’s where I keep all my stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2010, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389/40 "2010-11-13T10:24:07Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I think I would go for [The Oak Alley Plantation](http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS317&q=oak+alley&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=_7XcTPaLL4T48AbEtNTyCQ&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CEcQsAQwAg&biw=1496&bih=608) in Louisiana. That is one beautiful house and it isn’t so big that I wouldn’t be able to afford to support the lifestyle it deserves. I would have to buy some new clothes to hang out there but that should be doable. I would also want a dog named Belvedere. That looks familiar, was that one of the houses used in the movie Primary Colors? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-in-any-existing-house-in-the-world-as-a-prize-which-one-would-be-and-why/560389.md?page=3)