13 Weird Things About Living in the White House

From its wifi to furniture: What’s it like to live in the White House?

Have you wondered about life in the white house? Well, it is a bit weird. The first family doesn’t only live in a house but also in a cross of resort and museum.

The picture we see in movies drastically shifts from reality, as several strange details are skipped in fiction — like, the president paying for his own food and scooping up the dog’s poop.

Let’s see how every ex-president lived through certain conditions while performing patriotic duties:

1. On-site beehive in the white house

Just like Buckingham Palace, the White House also has a little honey factory right on the property.

Official beekeepers take care of around 35,000 “first bees” that live on the white house lawn. The beehive has not always been there in the white house; this addition was made in 2009.

2. One of the most interesting facilities in the house

Did you know about a warehouse in the White House? It is one of the most interesting rooms treasuring the furniture of former presidents — a gold mine for any new president who shifts in the white house with minimal furniture.

Obamas in 2009 did not bring much in the white house, but they did not fret as the warehouse got them covered. The place hosts several art pieces, from the famous art collection of Georgia O’Keeffe to Norman Rockwell paintings.

Apart from different paintings, the place treasures dignitaries from across the world: antique gifts, rugs, and four-poster beds.

3. Only US-made wine is served at the White House

Have you known about the wine served at the White House? It’s only American wine from Idaho, California, and Virginia.

One would not find something European as French wine was taken off during the administration of Ford.

4. The presence of a dentist’s office

The first family does not have to bother and reach out to any dentist as there exists a dentist’s office in the white house’s basement.

Interestingly, apart from hosting a dentist’s office, the basement features various shops: a flower and carpentry service shop.

5. President’s kids can organize their prom at the White House

Heard of a prom at the White House? In 1975, Susan Ford, the first daughter, threw one. The 17-year-old invited her friends from the Holton Arms School.

If you think it was another stunt of displaying wealth, then it was not as Ford’s classmates actually paid for the prom with the funds gathered from the school’s bake sales.

Susan Ford partied with her 21-year-old college-age date in the East Room, and that too past midnight.

6. The west wing hosts roaches and mice

Perfection ceases to exist. This holds true for the white house as well because it is not all dreamy and needs frequent repairs.

In 2017, the white house officials requested repeated repairs and pest control as mice entered the situation and the navy’s mess hall. Additionally, several roaches were reported in the West Wing.

7. Wi-Fi in the white house sucks

If your wifi functions at lightning speed, then the first family might envy you. According to CBS, several dead wifi spots frustrated the Obama girls.

After 2016, the situation did get a little better as white house personnel broadcasted the event on Facebook live, which gave us proof of an improved wifi facility.

8. Furniture in White house is not original

Back in 1814, the British forces burned down the white house, leaving no original furniture and piece of art except for George Washington’s painting.

How did it manage the fiery escape? Well, James Madison’s wife Dolley saved the portrait during the fire.

9. Process of moving into the White House

A typical moving in takes longer than what moving into the white house looks like. Several ushers and movers have gone through extensive training, which enables them to move everything into the white house in roughly six hours. A dedicated team of 90 movers and ushers accomplishes the feat.

10. The first family can watch movies before any of us

You might not know, but the White House had a theater built in the 1940s, capable of seating 40 people.

Interestingly, Hollywood happily sends the films to the White House Family Theater — even those initially not available for public viewing.

According to The Guardian, George W. Bush had a great time watching the Austin Powers trilogy and other action movies.

11. President pays for food from his pocket

Is there anything like a free lunch? At least, not for the first family. The presidents are billed every month for food — be it breakfast, brunch, or dinner.

But, as far as the food served at white house state functions is concerned, taxpayers’ money takes care of the affair.

12. The first family can still cook its own breakfast

There exists a separate kitchen in the living quarters of the white house, without staff, to raise the sense of normalcy.

According to WSJ reports, Hillary Clinton used to cook scrambled eggs for her daughter personally.

13. Redecoration in the white house

Every incoming president is allowed to alter the Oval office, which mainly includes redesigning a rug.

Laura Bush had it changed for her husband’s office while President Obama himself got the quotations added on the rug. Some presidents don’t touch the decor at all.

The living quarters enjoy more relaxed rules when it comes to redecoration. The president’s children are allowed to not only paint their rooms but also put up posters.

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