So tired of the crappy housing stock in the DMV combined with skyrocketing prices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

[Anonymous]

Have you seen the beautiful historic houses on the Rt 1 corridor?

[Anonymous]

OP, where is the link?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could deal with the high prices if it didn't buy such garbage. There are so many houses in DC and the suburbs selling in the $1-1.2m range that are just... bad. Ugly flips, cheaply built new developments, houses in desperate need of major updates.

I used to live in California and before I moved to the DMV (about 15 years ago) I felt like the cost of housing there was insane. And it is. But it has been eclipsed in the DMV, but for much uglier, poor quality houses.

Look at this bungalow in an LA suburbs (Monrovia, which has decent schools and is a nice little community but still good proximity to LA -- a perfect suburb compromise if you have some WFH flexibility). Yes, it's on the small side (3/2, so still plenty big enough for a small family with 1-2 kids). But it's beautiful, updated, in a nice neighborhood, and has great outdoor spaces. For $1.2m.

In the DMV, $1.2m buys you a cramped row house on the Hill with no outdoor space, or a completely unrenovated home in one of the close in suburbs, or an ugly McMansion further out with cheap finishes and no charm.

I'm not just saying housing here is too expensive. It's expensive, and that's driven by demand, and while it's a lot, that's what it costs to live here. I'm saying the housing stock is freaking ugly and in poor shape and you wind up spending money for location and schools but the houses themselves suck. There are so few good houses here, even when you have money to spend. It's just depressing.

Life is full of choices. You choose to live here. You could choose to go elsewhere. Quit whining. It's pathetic.

I'm noticing a pattern that you're probably the same poster who keeps writing about life being about choices in a lot of different threads. For someone who claims to be so happy with your choices, you sure sound bitter and angry. About what I wonder, if your life is so amazing?

No, that is someone else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serious Question: What on earth was the appeal of SO many split levels with carports in this area???

WHY??

It was the 60s?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s what you get when homes for poor people in the 1960s become homes for rich people in the 2020s. They were ugly as hell then, built for simple people (plumbers, nurses, teachers) over 50 years ago. They have not aged well, yet now house dual income professionals. Really makes you wonder whether you’ve come out ahead, doesn’t it?

THIS!!! All that junk in Arlington used to be for LMC/LC people. Maybe some Feds w/ a SAHM would buy there. Then they built some bars and restaurants and suddenly dual lawyer families pay a fortune for this crap.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- sorry, I realized I failed to include the link!

https://bungalowsandcottages.com/properties/listing/crmls/AR22260198/Monrovia/216-Monroe-Place

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serious Question: What on earth was the appeal of SO many split levels with carports in this area???

WHY??

It was the 60s?

Plenty of 60's homes in other desirable areas that are humble but nice - no splits or carports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could deal with the high prices if it didn't buy such garbage. There are so many houses in DC and the suburbs selling in the $1-1.2m range that are just... bad. Ugly flips, cheaply built new developments, houses in desperate need of major updates.

I used to live in California and before I moved to the DMV (about 15 years ago) I felt like the cost of housing there was insane. And it is. But it has been eclipsed in the DMV, but for much uglier, poor quality houses.

Look at this bungalow in an LA suburbs (Monrovia, which has decent schools and is a nice little community but still good proximity to LA -- a perfect suburb compromise if you have some WFH flexibility). Yes, it's on the small side (3/2, so still plenty big enough for a small family with 1-2 kids). But it's beautiful, updated, in a nice neighborhood, and has great outdoor spaces. For $1.2m.

In the DMV, $1.2m buys you a cramped row house on the Hill with no outdoor space, or a completely unrenovated home in one of the close in suburbs, or an ugly McMansion further out with cheap finishes and no charm.

I'm not just saying housing here is too expensive. It's expensive, and that's driven by demand, and while it's a lot, that's what it costs to live here. I'm saying the housing stock is freaking ugly and in poor shape and you wind up spending money for location and schools but the houses themselves suck. There are so few good houses here, even when you have money to spend. It's just depressing.

Life is full of choices. You choose to live here. You could choose to go elsewhere. Quit whining. It's pathetic.

I'm noticing a pattern that you're probably the same poster who keeps writing about life being about choices in a lot of different threads. For someone who claims to be so happy with your choices, you sure sound bitter and angry. About what I wonder, if your life is so amazing?

This.
I roll my eyes at the people talking about life being about choices. People choices are limited to their options.

Life is not so black and white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

You’re right - I was thinking Fairfield the city which is way further out but yes, Greenwich/Stamford are common commutes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I could deal with the high prices if it didn't buy such garbage. There are so many houses in DC and the suburbs selling in the $1-1.2m range that are just... bad. Ugly flips, cheaply built new developments, houses in desperate need of major updates.

I used to live in California and before I moved to the DMV (about 15 years ago) I felt like the cost of housing there was insane. And it is. But it has been eclipsed in the DMV, but for much uglier, poor quality houses.

Look at this bungalow in an LA suburbs (Monrovia, which has decent schools and is a nice little community but still good proximity to LA -- a perfect suburb compromise if you have some WFH flexibility). Yes, it's on the small side (3/2, so still plenty big enough for a small family with 1-2 kids). But it's beautiful, updated, in a nice neighborhood, and has great outdoor spaces. For $1.2m.

In the DMV, $1.2m buys you a cramped row house on the Hill with no outdoor space, or a completely unrenovated home in one of the close in suburbs, or an ugly McMansion further out with cheap finishes and no charm.

I'm not just saying housing here is too expensive. It's expensive, and that's driven by demand, and while it's a lot, that's what it costs to live here. I'm saying the housing stock is freaking ugly and in poor shape and you wind up spending money for location and schools but the houses themselves suck. There are so few good houses here, even when you have money to spend. It's just depressing.

Life is full of choices. You choose to live here. You could choose to go elsewhere. Quit whining. It's pathetic.

I'm noticing a pattern that you're probably the same poster who keeps writing about life being about choices in a lot of different threads. For someone who claims to be so happy with your choices, you sure sound bitter and angry. About what I wonder, if your life is so amazing?

This.
I roll my eyes at the people talking about life being about choices. People choices are limited to their options.

Life is not so black and white.

+1

Yup. Life happens, and those who are beating everyone down to "put on a happy face, damn it!" are the last ones to smile. GTFOH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s what you get when homes for poor people in the 1960s become homes for rich people in the 2020s. They were ugly as hell then, built for simple people (plumbers, nurses, teachers) over 50 years ago. They have not aged well, yet now house dual income professionals. Really makes you wonder whether you’ve come out ahead, doesn’t it?

THIS!!! All that junk in Arlington used to be for LMC/LC people. Maybe some Feds w/ a SAHM would buy there. Then they built some bars and restaurants and suddenly dual lawyer families pay a fortune for this crap.

Well it was really population growth, traffic and metro that made Arlington rise in popularity over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here -- sorry, I realized I failed to include the link!

https://bungalowsandcottages.com/properties/listing/crmls/AR22260198/Monrovia/216-Monroe-Place

That is a stinking cute house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't even have to go all the way to California. The housing stock and neighborhoods are much nicer in the traditional NE suburbs of Philly and NY, with good/better schools and equivalent prices.

Does NY really have nicer neighborhoods and similar pricing? I thought it was more expensive.

- someone who lives in NYC area

NY suburbs are more expensive overall on a per foot basis, especially taking into account property taxes, but there's much more attractive housing stock at all price ranges. If you go further out to say Fairfield county the prices are pretty similar to closer-in DC suburbs like Arlington and Bethesda, but the houses/towns are a lot nicer than what you get an hour outside of DC.

You mean Fairfield in CT? That’s far out there! Don’t think it is really a sustainable commute if you need to get into the city.

Fairfield county, yes. Tons of people commute to the city from there - there are express trains I think from at least Greenwich. It’s like 45 mins to grand central. Not saying it’s great (I said further out…) but it’s a common commute.

Yes, we've had this conversation on here before, but other NE/Mid-Atlantic cities have better commuter rail infrastructure than the DMV, so living further out is not as burdensome. Most DC suburbs are very car-centric. Even when there is a transit option, it's usually not as convenient as something like the LIE or the Main Line trains. There's just more sprawl so the train station will be 20 minutes away by car, not a 10 minute walk. Even if your car commute is relatively short (lots of commutes from Arlington Cty to downtown are not the long) you're in the car on congested roads which is more stressful than hopping on a train, plus you're then paying for parking. DC does not have NE commuter culture. It has Southern commuter culture. But the housing costs a lot more in DC suburbs than in suburbs of southern cities like Atlanta, Nashville, etc.