Mine is an early 60s bungalow in a nice neighbourhood with mature trees. Very unimproved. Everything works fine (except those things that are currently in process, like the blasted furnace that was diagnosed terminal this a.m.), nothing is improved. There is one telephone jack in the entire house, the lack of outlets gets a bit tiresome, the kitchen doesn't even have a dishwasher, the basement is half finished, no air conditioning (and that decision was confirmed today). I keep it painted, somewhat uniquely, there's a ton of original artwork on the walls, and the original hardwood floors are nice. The gardens are eclectically, somewhat messily, productive, colourful, interesting. I have nice sturdy fences, both for privacy, and for dog containment.
I often find it difficult for a woman alone to find good tradespeople, to afford them, to have access to the tools and knowledge to manage a house on your own. It's easier if you have a couple with a variety of skills, I think.
I should be closer, I am good at general repairs ... especially when my sol repairs to a corner to make facetiae at the awful human condition without devilish equality (to certain limits)! Then many Christians question equality ... causing imbalance in the Golden Rule ...
However emotions can blind one to this kind of faith ... and deligate communication to a lesser level ... as just more words that are not understood ... and yet they say God is the word and the word is God ... but incarnate as not understanding how the word appears ...