Which project will improve quality of life more for young family, backyard or finished basement?

[Anonymous]

If you know that you will appreciate and use the backyard, I'd start there. It sounds like there's plenty of room to create a temporary play area somewhere in your main living space until your budget allows for you to redo the basement. Plus, you could put a ton of money into the basement right now and, honestly, your child will be unilikely to go down there by him/herself for at least the next couple of years.

Basements are great when a child is old enough to take a couple friends down there and hang out but they don't really like going down there by themselves when they're younger. Also, older kids are unlikely to use the backyard as often. I'd put your money in the space that will get the most use right now and save up for the space that will likely have a better ROI when your child is older.

[Anonymous]

basement first, get your house in order then work on the outisde

[Anonymous]

Another vote for basement. I can't believe this many people are voting for the backyard first.

[Anonymous]

Backyard first. Then basement. We also have an only child and this worked well. He really did not start to have friends in the basement until he was in high school (and then it was great to have it finished---which we did when he was in middle school). Meanwhile, we had laser tag parties in the yard, etc.

Also, we played dodge ball in the unfinished basement, ping pong, had Halloween parties and could be messy down there while he was small/grade school age (even set up a mini golf course).

[Anonymous]

Backyard first, so that the trees and plants will get established. You can get a good basement completely finished in less than a year, but it takes a while to have a truly good yard.

[Anonymous]

If you do the backyard, will your kid still prefer to go to the playground across the street? If so, basement.

[Anonymous]

Backyard. I would always rather be outside than inside.

[Anonymous]

Basement.

Your kid will probably only use the swingset until around 1st-2nd grade tops, maybe less than that if there is a playground across the street. Your kid will only need the fence until around the same age. After that, kids love open yards or front yards where they can easily run between houses and through the neighborhood.

Honestly, if I were you I would only finish the rec room and bathroom in the basement. For the space you would use as a bedroom, I would leave completely unfinished and include on the permits that it is unfinished storage.

With the money you would have spent on the bedroom, I would put in a basic backyard fence (only because your property sides to a busy road).

Next year, when your tax return comes in, finish that extra bedroom.

Add little touches now and then such as potted plants, new chair cushions, stained concrete, etc, from time to time as your budget permits. Don't do the backyard all at once, and don't buy the swingset.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Basement.

Your kid will probably only use the swingset until around 1st-2nd grade tops, maybe less than that if there is a playground across the street. Your kid will only need the fence until around the same age. After that, kids love open yards or front yards where they can easily run between houses and through the neighborhood.

Honestly, if I were you I would only finish the rec room and bathroom in the basement. For the space you would use as a bedroom, I would leave completely unfinished and include on the permits that it is unfinished storage.

With the money you would have spent on the bedroom, I would put in a basic backyard fence (only because your property sides to a busy road).

Next year, when your tax return comes in, finish that extra bedroom.

Add little touches now and then such as potted plants, new chair cushions, stained concrete, etc, from time to time as your budget permits. Don't do the backyard all at once, and don't buy the swingset.

One more thing.

As one who has lived in the house during a basement renovation and also while improving the yard, it is MUCH easier on the family to live in a house during a yard renovation than itis during a basement renovation. Inside remodeling creates a ton of fine particulate dust that takes a while to go away. It is also noisy and takes longer than you would expect.

[Anonymous]

is this dccountrymom.com?

The basement, high ses kids are in activities and are home at night

[Anonymous]

Basement - You have the park across the street and you will be more likely to have people visit with a play area.

[Anonymous]

Basement. It's completel dark here from 5pm onwards for half the year and you can't be outside. Basement also adds value to your house.

Kids can still use a backyard without a fence. Swing sets aren't that pricey

[Anonymous]

Backyard - we are in a similar situation and really want a better backyard over basement play area. Both would be ideal though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Backyard - we are in a similar situation and really want a better backyard over basement play area. Both would be ideal though.

^ with play set

[Anonymous]

Basement because you have a playground across the street from your house.
Add in the mosquito issue and the fact that it won't be used all winter and that tips the scales IMO
(And as a mother of a toddler, they don't necessarily love to play outside in a backyard by themself as long as you may hope.)