What’s so bad about living in a townhouse?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in a TH as a kid and didn’t feel deprived at all, I live in a TH now and I love how cheap it is, my mortgage is 5% of my gross income. Never stress about money and save 70% of my paycheck. The local schools are also pretty good and wouldn’t feel bad about sending my young kids there. I could afford a 7 figure home but don’t see the need. Why does everyone feel like they need a SFH?

[Anonymous]

Townhouses are awesome! We have a SFH but I’d be perfectly happy in a TH too.

[Anonymous]

Obviously, it all depends on the townhome itself BUT I do not like being that close to my neighbors, as I am not friendly. Smells can travel and I am sensitive to them. Yes, even exotic foods I can’t stand the smell. If your neighbors are dirty, with mice and roaches then the odds of them coming into your place is high. I like a back and front yard that is large. I like the peaceful sounds of a home.

[Anonymous]

Why are you so defensive? Be happy with what you have and confident in your decisions. Sounds like living in a townhouse works great for you. I live in a DC row house in a sketchy neighborhood. I love it, and it works for my family. I don’t need others to agree with me or to explain their choices. Neither should you.

[Anonymous]

During COVID, we had a full house. My AC came back home and was WFH, I had a HS teen learning remotely, and of course DH was WFH. We had 4 different work stations in 4 different parts of the house. Every level had a make shift office. I appreciated having a SFH at that time with enough space. It was wonderful to have a back yard, a front yard and privacy.

We have a big social circle and our house allows us to entertain in comfort. We did not spend too much on this house when we bought it because we bought at the bottom of the housing market. We are able to have house guests without feeling squeezed for space. We like having multiple bathrooms etc. All in all...we see the allure of TH for someone who is private and lives alone. We enjoy our spacious SFH because we have a family and we host a lot.

[Anonymous]

too many stairs

[Anonymous]

I lived in a townhouse for 10 years and it worked great for us. Then it stopped working great and we moved.

I do see posts here about people who are priced out of SFH but can't seem to contemplate a TH. That's a shame. But I understand not wanting to move once you're established.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:too many stairs

This. And unless you live in the Pacific Palisades, they don't really appreciate financially.

[Anonymous]

I live in a rowhouse and as a house, it's totally fine, but I hate the lack of outdoor space. (I have a postage stamp yard small enough that we cross the street to use the school field to play soccer or Frisbee, and no off street parking or space for a shed.)

[Anonymous]

Simple, shared walls. So, shared noise, shared screaming / crying kid, shared music blasting, shared barking dogs, etc etc. It was always something.

[Anonymous]

I didn't like it when I was on the 3rd and 4th floor of one of those stacked ones. Because of the stairs with a baby and toddler, and becuase the downstairs neighbor freaked out at regular footsteps on carpet and totally lost their minds if we had guests.

But other than that, we had no noise problems from the sides, no pest problems. Friendly other neighbors. The unit was nice and just the right size. We left because it was time to buy and we found a house with a big yard for a similar price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in a rowhouse and as a house, it's totally fine, but I hate the lack of outdoor space. (I have a postage stamp yard small enough that we cross the street to use the school field to play soccer or Frisbee, and no off street parking or space for a shed.)

But you don't have to mow or pay to have the lawn mowed and deal with weeds and vermin. Win win!

[Anonymous]

If I wasn't married, I definitely would live in one. I can't stand yard maintenance (hence if dh wasn't there, I wouldn't want to do it). I LOVED my fancy condo when I was single with my doorman, gym and indoor pool. I got a lot of grief from family members about "when was I going to buy a real house?". I just ignored it.

I have nothing against townhouses other than the fact that I don't like visiting them. There's never any parking. Condos are a bit easier because they have a big lot/parking garage. When I visit my best friends I have to park at a nearby park and they shuttle me back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple, shared walls. So, shared noise, shared screaming / crying kid, shared music blasting, shared barking dogs, etc etc. It was always something.

Maybe I’m lucky with quiet neighbors or the walls are thick, I never hear them. The barking dogs and other noises would still be a problem with a SFH, when I visit my friends in SFH’s I definitely hear their neighbors.

[Anonymous]

Primarily: shared walls / noise - I don’t want to hear others’ noise and also don’t want to feel like we are bothering others

Secondarily: lack of a yard