How to get on board 100% with a house and neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

Due to the housing market, we had to compromise on most of what I wanted, and ended up with a house my DH loves. We move in in a few weeks. How can I get myself 100% on board and excited? The house itself is approximately what we wanted, or we can fix it up, but the location and town are not at all what I imagined. It is cul-de-sac heaven in a town that doesn't have much around. On the plus side, the schools are great, and neighboring towns do have good amenities that I could drive to. Any tips for getting excited? I know... first world problems...

[Anonymous]

What does your DH love about it?

[Anonymous]

I definitely value location but understand your situation- you juggle a lot of things and make the best choice sometimes.

Improve the interior to exactly what you want. Once the front door is closed- only the inside matters. Making it perfect will make you love it more.

[Anonymous]

It’s just a house man. It’s not your identity. My neighborhood is weird and sucks. Whatever. I am mostly inside my house which is decorated how I want, or at work.

[Anonymous]

Is there a room that you can truly make your own? When we first bought our house, I wasn't in love with the location, but I loved the actual house. Come to find it's a great neighborhood with a lovely, close knit community. It has been such a pleasant surprise and I have my own office that I've really made my own. If we had been in a different location we wouldn't have had the space to do that.

[Anonymous]

Be thankful you are not living in a cardboard box.

[Anonymous]

Get to know your neighbors so you create community where you are rather than having to leave for things to do quite as much.
How old are your kids? Likely a lot of their stuff is in and around your cul de sac Mecca so becoming involved in their stuff will fill time and make you likely appreciate the location more. Spend time outside walking or biking - if it is high in cul de sacs it likely has paths or sidewalks too.

[Anonymous]

A little too late when you bought the house already no?

[Anonymous]

I am a city person but rented an Airbnb in a cul de sac for a few weeks. I actually really liked it. It was bizarre how much I liked it. Very peaceful. House was newish (1980s) and didn’t smell bad like the old houses I’m used to living in. I just had this relaxed feeling every time I drove in to the development when coming home at night.

Decorate it the way you like. Try to join a neighborhood pool. Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does your DH love about it?

He loves the house itself. He doesn’t really care about location or that it’s in an entire town of cul de sacs. It’s a safe suburb. I wanted a safe suburb with at least a tiny bit of walkability (walk to parks, schools, maybe a local restaurant).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a room that you can truly make your own? When we first bought our house, I wasn't in love with the location, but I loved the actual house. Come to find it's a great neighborhood with a lovely, close knit community. It has been such a pleasant surprise and I have my own office that I've really made my own. If we had been in a different location we wouldn't have had the space to do that.

Thank you! This is helpful. Yes, there is space for an area for myself. I’m looking forward to having a big desk area to myself (well, shared with my child probably), which I’ve never had before.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get to know your neighbors so you create community where you are rather than having to leave for things to do quite as much.
How old are your kids? Likely a lot of their stuff is in and around your cul de sac Mecca so becoming involved in their stuff will fill time and make you likely appreciate the location more. Spend time outside walking or biking - if it is high in cul de sacs it likely has paths or sidewalks too.

Thanks, good advice. My child starts K this fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A little too late when you bought the house already no?

I definitely made the decision to try to be happy and go all in on this house, as it was likely the best decision for the family. I just want advice on how to get to 100% because I’m not quite there yet. I also don’t want to feel resentful, since DH is basically getting everything he wanted and we had to compromise on my one ask (location).

[Anonymous]

Also, if your DH loves it, think of it as a gift you are giving him, to share in his joy of the house. You'll find other things to love about the house and the neighborhood as you live there, even if it's never perfect. But try your best to fake it 'til you make it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A little too late when you bought the house already no?

I definitely made the decision to try to be happy and go all in on this house, as it was likely the best decision for the family. I just want advice on how to get to 100% because I’m not quite there yet. I also don’t want to feel resentful, since DH is basically getting everything he wanted and we had to compromise on my one ask (location).

hmm I get it. Maybe once you get to know your neighbors you'll like it?

Where is it? I am sure DCUM can help you identify some nice things about the community.

Can you at least walk to a park?