My name is Ramesh, and I grew up in a small village in India. Life was hard from the start. My parents passed away when I was just a boy, and there was no one to take care of me. I ended up on the streets, sleeping by the roadside. Winters were the worst. Cold nights with no blanket, shivering under the open sky.

I had to drop out of school because there was no money. Instead, I found work in the market, carrying heavy bags for customers and helping shopkeepers. It wasn’t easy, but I saved every rupee I could. After months of hard work, I finally managed to rent a small room. It was nothing fancy—just four walls and a roof—but it felt like a palace after the street.

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Having a roof over my head gave me hope. I decided to start studying again, little by little, while I continued working. Eventually, I got a job as a driver. It was stable work, and with better pay, I could rent a small flat. It wasn’t perfect, but it was an upgrade. The bathroom worked, the windows shut properly, and I could finally sleep without worrying about the cold.

As time went on, I worked harder and became a manager at the company I drove for. With that promotion, I moved to a modern condo. It had shiny floors, a nice kitchen, and even a gym! It was the kind of place I never imagined living in when I was a boy on the street.

But I wasn’t done dreaming. I wanted to build my own house, a home I could call mine. So, I started saving again. It took years, but finally, I began construction. It was big, beautiful, and everything I thought I wanted. But once I moved in, reality hit me hard. The house was expensive to manage; electricity, cleaning, and repairs all added up.

I realised that I didn’t need such a big place to be happy. So, I sold it and built a smaller, simpler house. It’s perfect for me. Comfortable, affordable, and easy to take care of. Now, I’m focusing on the next chapter of my life: finding someone to share it with.

Looking back, every step of this journey taught me something important. From the streets to my small home, I’ve learned that happiness isn’t about how big your house is. It is about the life you build inside it.

• How big is your house?
• Is your house rented, or does your family own it?
• How many times have you moved in your life?
• Are you happy with your current home? Why or why not?
• What do you like most about your current house?
• What don’t you like about it?
• What would your dream home look like?
• If you could change one thing about your home, what would it be?
• Have you ever lived in a house you didn’t like? Why?
• What’s the most important thing you look for in a house?