Anyone downsize to a townhome?

[Anonymous]

Pros, cons, any regrets?
We don’t need our giant home anymore. We like the idea of no more lawn and external maintenance. But wondering if trade offs are worth it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pros, cons, any regrets?
We don’t need our giant home anymore. We like the idea of no more lawn and external maintenance. But wondering if trade offs are worth it?

As one who moved from a SFH to a TH I would not. You lose a lawn but gain steps and darkness. You can pay someone to maintain a lawn, you can't pay someone to carry you up and down stairs multiple times a day--yes even as able-bodied people you will begin to hate stairs.

[Anonymous]

I prefer not to share walls in case the neighbors are messy and attract bugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pros, cons, any regrets?
We don’t need our giant home anymore. We like the idea of no more lawn and external maintenance. But wondering if trade offs are worth it?

As one who moved from a SFH to a TH I would not. You lose a lawn but gain steps and darkness. You can pay someone to maintain a lawn, you can't pay someone to carry you up and down stairs multiple times a day--yes even as able-bodied people you will begin to hate stairs.

What if it has an elevator?

[Anonymous]

I love the stairs in my townhouse. It’s actually a good way to keep moving while you’re home.

[Anonymous]

With a townhouse, you’re sharing a wall - or 2 - with neighbors. That could bring you into close contact with their noise, their smoke, their conflicts, and so on. If you’re okay with that, great. If not, that’s something to consider.

[Anonymous]

Only an end townhouse. Not one in the middle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With a townhouse, you’re sharing a wall - or 2 - with neighbors. That could bring you into close contact with their noise, their smoke, their conflicts, and so on. If you’re okay with that, great. If not, that’s something to consider.

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about, as there are NO shared walls with neighbors, in townhouses.

Every single state in the U.S. has laws or building codes that addresses the requirement for firewalls between townhouse units.
These codes are based on national standards such as the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.

Those laws and codes are strictly enforced at the state and local levels.

Obviously, they were created to prevent fires from spreading from one unit to the next, but they also serve to muffle ALL sound from one unit to the next.

Not only is there a two foot space in between each firewall, but firewalls between townhouses are typically filled with materials designed to resist the spread of fire.

Materials used in firewalls often include concrete or masonry, which are non-combustible and provide excellent fire resistance.
Gypsum board, often referred to as Type X or Type C, is another common material; it contains non-combustible fibers and other additives to enhance fire resistance, mineral wool or fiberglass insulation, which do not burn and can help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, are also used.
Additionally, intumescent coatings, which are special paints or coatings that expand when exposed to heat to create a barrier, help contain the fire.

So, to paint a picture...
There is your wall, then on the other side of your wall lies another wall, which is distanced approx 12 inches from your wall.
On the other side of THAT wall, lies a floor to ceiling firewall that's approx 2 feet in length and densely filled with fireproofing materials (which would 1000% muffle any & every sound your neighbor could possibly conjure) then another 12 inch space, and then your neighbors wall.

The more progressive states, have had these laws & codes on the books since the early 80's and 90's some are from even earlier.

So obviously, there is no noise, as there are NO shared walls in modern day townhomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With a townhouse, you’re sharing a wall - or 2 - with neighbors. That could bring you into close contact with their noise, their smoke, their conflicts, and so on. If you’re okay with that, great. If not, that’s something to consider.

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about, as there are NO shared walls with neighbors, in townhouses.

Every single state in the U.S. has laws or building codes that addresses the requirement for firewalls between townhouse units.
These codes are based on national standards such as the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.

Those laws and codes are strictly enforced at the state and local levels.

Obviously, they were created to prevent fires from spreading from one unit to the next, but they also serve to muffle ALL sound from one unit to the next.

Not only is there a two foot space in between each firewall, but firewalls between townhouses are typically filled with materials designed to resist the spread of fire.

Materials used in firewalls often include concrete or masonry, which are non-combustible and provide excellent fire resistance.
Gypsum board, often referred to as Type X or Type C, is another common material; it contains non-combustible fibers and other additives to enhance fire resistance, mineral wool or fiberglass insulation, which do not burn and can help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, are also used.
Additionally, intumescent coatings, which are special paints or coatings that expand when exposed to heat to create a barrier, help contain the fire.

So, to paint a picture...
There is your wall, then on the other side of your wall lies another wall, which is distanced approx 12 inches from your wall.
On the other side of THAT wall, lies a floor to ceiling firewall that's approx 2 feet in length and densely filled with fireproofing materials (which would 1000% muffle any & every sound your neighbor could possibly conjure) then another 12 inch space, and then your neighbors wall.

The more progressive states, have had these laws & codes on the books since the early 80's and 90's some are from even earlier.

So obviously, there is no noise, as there are NO shared walls in modern day townhomes.

.......ok

[Anonymous]

Best move we ever made - but it’s not townhouse but moved from car centered single family to walk centered (school, food and one recreation point was goal under 10 min was goal)

I got into a major rift with neighbor too! Still a really good move when time is right.

Also the steps are a plus - and I got really sick in here and had to crawl out to ER. The up and down keeps me really fit.

[Anonymous]

The stairs may be fine through your 70s, but be prepared to move again in your 80s. Also, usually no bedroom on the first floor, so it's not like you can just "make it work."

As for the elevator, not great for grandchildren - look up deaths in home elevators. Wish it wasn't a thing, but it is

[Anonymous]

I moved to townhouse from suburbs and love it. I’m in a more urban area so I walk much more, which I like. The cons are that I can sometimes hear my neighbors in their yards (but not through the walls) and people walking on sidewalk in front of house.

[Anonymous]

We are considering it. As a PP said, I actually like the idea of stairs. I saw my mom move to a 1-level, no-stairs place at 80 when her health was doing ok and the not needing to exert herself at all seemed to lead to a rapid deterioration of her physical abilities.

I would assume we would have to move to assisted living later in life.

I look at listings off and on as we're a few years away from actually making a move. From looking at a lot I've decided I would prefer an end unit for more light. Not a flight of stairs to get into the home. Have some kind of space on the entry level and at least a powder room so if there was a health issue that made stairs a problem for me or DH we could use that while figuring out the next move.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With a townhouse, you’re sharing a wall - or 2 - with neighbors. That could bring you into close contact with their noise, their smoke, their conflicts, and so on. If you’re okay with that, great. If not, that’s something to consider.

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about, as there are NO shared walls with neighbors, in townhouses.

Every single state in the U.S. has laws or building codes that addresses the requirement for firewalls between townhouse units.
These codes are based on national standards such as the International Building Code and the International Residential Code.

Those laws and codes are strictly enforced at the state and local levels.

Obviously, they were created to prevent fires from spreading from one unit to the next, but they also serve to muffle ALL sound from one unit to the next.

Not only is there a two foot space in between each firewall, but firewalls between townhouses are typically filled with materials designed to resist the spread of fire.

Materials used in firewalls often include concrete or masonry, which are non-combustible and provide excellent fire resistance.
Gypsum board, often referred to as Type X or Type C, is another common material; it contains non-combustible fibers and other additives to enhance fire resistance, mineral wool or fiberglass insulation, which do not burn and can help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke, are also used.
Additionally, intumescent coatings, which are special paints or coatings that expand when exposed to heat to create a barrier, help contain the fire.

So, to paint a picture...
There is your wall, then on the other side of your wall lies another wall, which is distanced approx 12 inches from your wall.
On the other side of THAT wall, lies a floor to ceiling firewall that's approx 2 feet in length and densely filled with fireproofing materials (which would 1000% muffle any & every sound your neighbor could possibly conjure) then another 12 inch space, and then your neighbors wall.

The more progressive states, have had these laws & codes on the books since the early 80's and 90's some are from even earlier.

So obviously, there is no noise, as there are NO shared walls in modern day townhomes.

Is this from ChatGpt ?

[Anonymous]

The neighbors will have bigger impact on your enjoyment of your home.