Housing WWYD (warning- LONG!)

[mmmomof2]

I would choose house number 2.

This is your forever house, and your kids are only little for such a short amount of time. Where do *you* want to live? Where do you see your family spending Christmas/holidays? Where do you picture your family living?

[ijack]

It sounds like you need to decide what is more important - house or neighborhood. Good luck!

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 12:33:35 GMT -5 @mavjen said:

#2, but how seedy are we talking? Is there rampant street crime? Drug dealers? Lots of smash & grab on parked cars in the shopping centers and on the street? Muggings?

If not, I would take #2 in a heartbeat.

Deleted

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 12:38:20 GMT -5 ijack said:

It sounds like you need to decide what is more important - house or neighborhood. Good luck!

I know. That's always the problem with asking for housing thoughts on the board. Everyone comes from different areas with different living styles. Here in Vegas it is what it is--lots of cookie cutters, lots of gated neighborhoods, mostly with HOA fees. I want different but there's a reason why different isn't popular here. I guess I just wish someone could say "go this route, period." I ask friends and family and of course they tell us to do what's right for us, but that doesn't help because even we don't know what's right for us! Uggh....just wish it could be an easy decision.

[kateross]

House 2.

It's because I think I know which neighborhood you're referring to.

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 12:38:05 GMT -5 mmmomof2 said:

I would choose house number 2.

This is your forever house, and your kids are only little for such a short amount of time. Where do *you* want to live? Where do you see your family spending Christmas/holidays? Where do you picture your family living?

This is a great point

[ijack]

It sounds like you want to live in a house like #2. I don't actually know if house #2 is the house for you based on the neighborhood, but I think you'd rather have the perfect house than the neighborhood feel. Are there similar neighborhoods that offer the houses you want that aren't as close to a bad neighborhood (says the lady who lives in a neighborhood surrounded by not so nice areas, and it's not gated nor would I want it to be)?

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 12:44:12 GMT -5 ijack said:

It sounds like you want to live in a house like #2. I don't actually know if house #2 is the house for you based on the neighborhood, but I think you'd rather have the perfect house than the neighborhood feel. Are there similar neighborhoods that offer the houses you want that aren't as close to a bad neighborhood (says the lady who lives in a neighborhood surrounded by not so nice areas, and it's not gated nor would I want it to be)?

Yes there are, we just haven't found the perfect house in those neighborhoods. And for us, house #2 is the perfect house. Just in the not so perfect area. Maybe you are right--we should go with neither and go back to the drawing board. Keep waiting it out until the perfect house in a better area comes on the market.

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 12:45:34 GMT -5 sexycarrot said:

Overall, between these 2, I think #2 wins, but the safety issues would concern me. I think I remember you are a runner? Do you have other places to run? How big a deal is it that you can't step out of your house and do your run, especially when you are training?

Good memory. That was DH's first point--you can't run around here. I run with a group and we run in neighborhood #1. DH would still golf at that club, DS and DD would still play in that area (at the club), so I'd still be there a lot. But you are right--I wouldn't want to do more than maybe 3 miles total in that area and I usually run closer to 5-6 at a time, minimum.

[goaskalice]

Is it possible that neighborhood #2 might soon be more family friendly? I know that is happening on our neighborhood. It is full of older homes that haven't sold in 20-30 years. Now that the owners are getting older they're finally selling and families are moving in.

[vegas]

By the way thank you all for listening to my constant house rants/raves/questions/etc. 2013 is our year, I know it. If we don't find a house by July we've agreed to build, so there is an end in sight for my housing nonsense, I promise.

[vegas]

mav and goaskalice--I don't see it becoming more family friendly ny time soon, but the mayor has been working on a revitilaztion project that should improve the surrounding areas to some extent. Even if people start moving out, I think the area and the housing prices appeal more to older people than younger ones, unfortunately.

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 12:41:03 GMT -5 kateross said:

House 2.

It's because I think I know which neighborhood you're referring to.

I sent you a PM

[starlily]

I'd go with #2.

Being 2 miles away from public housing & homeless people doesn't faze me though, since I grew up in SF. The city is 7 square miles and there are plenty parts of town where exclusive neighborhoods abut seedier ones.

[Deleted]

#1 - I would want the neighborhood. But we like neighborhoods.

Kids to play with. People to hang out with. I like gated communities (we live in a townhouse gated community now and LOVE that we don't have to do ANY of the upkeep but still have a grear pool/fitness center, playground etc etc).

[kadams767]

I'd pick #2, but I would never choose to live in a gated community, and I am not really fazed by living near seedier neighborhoods and shopping at the same stores as the people who live in them.

[hbomdiggity]

#2. But I don't have kids, didn't grow up in a community, and recently bought a craftsman (began to despise stucco cookie cutters).

Eta: I will say I was drawn to the community aspect after not having that myself growing up, but I think even a street with older neighbors would satisfy me. They won't be there forever.

[kateross]

Jan 11, 2013 12:52:17 GMT -5 vegas said:

Jan 11, 2013 12:41:03 GMT -5 kateross said:

House 2.

It's because I think I know which neighborhood you're referring to.

I sent you a PM

I responded.

Good luck and keep us posted what you decided on!

[noodleoo]

My parents are in the same dilemma in FL. They currently live in a beautiful gated community. They are on a lake and it is a great house, but the houses are very close together and all the same. My mom is very social and she LOVES the neighborhood. She has made a ton of friends, loves to walk and I really think they love it there. They redid a lot in the house: redid the kitchen, added hardwood, etc, etc. I think it is a great house.

They are currently thinking of moving to a new neighborhood in the "better" side of town. It would be a new street with like 10 custom houses on it and they would build. Honestly, I know my mom and I know she's going to miss the great neighborhood and community. I think it is a mistake, but they really want to move there for the status symbol reason.

Personally, I'd go with the gated community. You can always upgrade the house, but you can't change the community. I grew up being able to play in the neighborhood with the kids. No driving required. It was great! My sister lives in a similar type area and I envy the sense of community they have. We bought in an older neighborhood and our neighbors are nice, but we barely see them or talk to them (we don't have kids yet). We're not close and it is too bad.

Also, if you aren't comfortable with the proximity to seedy areas, I would not go for House #2. Again, you can't change the location.

Weren't you guys planning to build a house? Good luck with what I know is a really tough decision.

PS. My parents are basically retired and no kids anymore, but my mom still loves the neighborhood and has made many friends there, even though they are younger than her. So even though your kids my not live there forever, you may still enjoy being part of a friendlier community. Especially if you and your kids make friends there and they all grow up together.

[darkling_glory]

You said you could not find any land to build on, but have you thought about buying a foreclosed or condemned house and knocking it down? There are a TON of tear down/rebuilds where I live (obvious that's not Vegas), but it's something hubby and I have talked about.

[Pom]

Jan 11, 2013 12:48:14 GMT -5 vegas said:

By the way thank you all for listening to my constant house rants/raves/questions/etc. 2013 is our year, I know it. If we don't find a house by July we've agreed to build, so there is an end in sight for my housing nonsense, I promise.

May you get the house you have been waiting for this year! I know it has been a long road for you guys. Much luck.

[h]

I would do #2.

[njohnson1972]

Is house #1 at the top of your price range? I was watching Jeff Lewis on Flipping Out redo a cookie cutter home Lisa G in Calabasas and it was amazing. They added ceiling beams and great flooring. The transformation was incredible. So are there funds for taking a cookie cutter home and making it feel more custom? Then you get a home you love in a great neighborhood.

[vegas]

great point njohnson. The homes in #1 are not all at the top of our price range, so we definitely have $$ to fix them up. It would cost about 100K more than house #2 to get the same quality interior in the nice neighborhood as house #2. One of the houses we looked at in neighborhood #1 was actually on the show Flipping Out and was totally redone. That's an option, but it doesn't change the fact that the exteriors all look the same (something that can't be changed per HOAs) and the houses are so close to each other you can hear your neighbor sneeze.

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 15:08:08 GMT -5 darkling_glory said:

You said you could not find any land to build on, but have you thought about buying a foreclosed or condemned house and knocking it down? There are a TON of tear down/rebuilds where I live (obvious that's not Vegas), but it's something hubby and I have talked about.

This is very common here. Unfortunately it's so common that investors are able to get the homes at auction and do it before a regular, non cash buyer ever could. But we do look at this as an option if the situation presented itself.

[audry80]

What a hard decision. Based on your responses it seems like you are leaning more towards house number 2. All of my SIL's live in neighborhoods that are similar to #1. They have block parties, all the kids play together, cocktails with neighbors and Halloween is a neighborhood event. They are share school pickup/drop off duties and it's a very social neighborhood. I live in a neighborhood more like #2 but I don't have children. If your kid wants to ride his bike outside are you going to say no at house #2? That would be a concern of mine. good luck!

[Deleted]

I lived in Vegas for years & I'd pick #2. My bro & SIL just bought in Scotch 80s & are about to have a baby . I lived in the tract burbs & never knew our neighbors nor saw anyone. We bought a house in old historic Vegas in 2003 (John S Park) & had our first kid there. Seedy a block over but the best neighborhood. My neighbors became my best friends. Several kids. It was really fun living there. Almost all of us left town so I don't know what it's like now but in my experience the older hoods are more friendly & less transient. Good luck!

[vegas]

carol, I forgot you lived there. Then you are very familiar with the area I'm talking about! I sent you a PM.

[vegas]

Jan 11, 2013 15:33:06 GMT -5 audry80 said:

What a hard decision. Based on your responses it seems like you are leaning more towards house number 2. All of my SIL's live in neighborhoods that are similar to #1. They have block parties, all the kids play together, cocktails with neighbors and Halloween is a neighborhood event. They are share school pickup/drop off duties and it's a very social neighborhood. I live in a neighborhood more like #2 but I don't have children. If your kid wants to ride his bike outside are you going to say no at house #2? That would be a concern of mine. good luck!

You know, I'm not sure about riding the bikes. Our street would be fine, but they couldn't go too far. The other neighborhood they could go wherever they want and be fine, within the confines of the guard gate. The experience you describe with the neighborhood is what neighborhood #1 would be like. That's what I worry we'd be missing out on.

[audry80]

Jan 11, 2013 15:48:57 GMT -5 jenny1980 said:

Jan 11, 2013 12:47:14 GMT -5 vegas said:

Good memory. That was DH's first point--you can't run around here. I run with a group and we run in neighborhood #1. DH would still golf at that club, DS and DD would still play in that area (at the club), so I'd still be there a lot. But you are right--I wouldn't want to do more than maybe 3 miles total in that area and I usually run closer to 5-6 at a time, minimum.

I know you want a "forever" house, but honestly it sounds like right now you're best suited for neighborhood #1. I would probably plan on that for 10-15 years and then look for something more unique/smaller/whatever once your kids are leaving.

I agree with this.