Anyone downsize to a townhome?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The amount of noise is relative to the quality of construction.

No noise? Doubtful.

I guess it depends. Our second house is an end-unit townhouse. Our neighbor has high school teens that are in band. My kids are middle schoolers in band. Kids have practiced brass instruments in both houses and we don't hear it. They've had parties including music and we haven't heard it. My kids play loud Nintendo Switch games on the TV mounted on the shared wall and they havne't heard it.

And this is run of the mill 1970s/1980s construction mid-level construction townhomes (e.g. not budget pricing and not high-end either). Maybe noise is a problem in budget priced construction, but not at our level. I've been to parties/kids events at other friends similar style townhomes and we've never had a noise issue in their homes either.

Musical instruments should be banned. You cannot pretend that your kids brass instrument practice is not noise that bothers neighbors

Buy a house if your kids have to play a trumpet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

The amount of noise is relative to the quality of construction.

No noise? Doubtful.

I guess it depends. Our second house is an end-unit townhouse. Our neighbor has high school teens that are in band. My kids are middle schoolers in band. Kids have practiced brass instruments in both houses and we don't hear it. They've had parties including music and we haven't heard it. My kids play loud Nintendo Switch games on the TV mounted on the shared wall and they havne't heard it.

And this is run of the mill 1970s/1980s construction mid-level construction townhomes (e.g. not budget pricing and not high-end either). Maybe noise is a problem in budget priced construction, but not at our level. I've been to parties/kids events at other friends similar style townhomes and we've never had a noise issue in their homes either.

Musical instruments should be banned. You cannot pretend that your kids brass instrument practice is not noise that bothers neighbors

Buy a house if your kids have to play a trumpet

Goes to show it really does vary! Our kid plays a brass instrument for probably an hour a day. I said something apologetic about it to the neighbors and they were surprised – they said they never hear him. We have really good insulation. I have never heard anything from either side, except once when when there was some construction going on. The nail gun (?) really carried for some reason. But that’s the only thing I’ve ever heard. Construction circa 2005.

On the other hand, we could hear our neighbors coughing when we were in our 1929 townhouse. if I ever live in an older construction townhouse again, I will make sure it’s big enough for us to lose a few inches off the wall so we can actually insulate!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

sounds like you've never lived in a townhouse.

i lived in one townhouse where i could hear my neighbors kid practicing violin in their bedroom

i lived in another where i could smell the neighbors smoking weed INSIDE the house with windows closed.

I lived in a SFH where I could hear the neighbor across the street play piano. So, what’s your point?

[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.

You would hate stairs if you are fat and lazy. Unfortunately, many Americans are fat and lazy.
Stairs provide free daily exercises. They will keep you fit and healthy.
A study found that people who live in THs are healthier.

[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.

True. Dunno where that poster got her wacked ideas about cigarette odor getting thru the party wall.

[Anonymous]

My parents were in their late 70's when they down sized to a 1600 sq. ft. townhouse in a well known retirement community in Silver Spring, MD. for people age 55 and older. They said it was the biggest mistake they ever made. After a couple years they said it sucks living there. One neighbor on one side would have their TV on so loud they could hear it through the walls. Roaches, ants, and mice were constantly coming from one of their neighbor's home. They had a exterminator coming over all the time. On the other side of them was a single woman who stayed up late listening to music with her male friends. They said she was constantly drunk and yelling. Doors slamming all the time. When my parents sat on their back sunroom they could smell smoke and hear loud voices. They felt they have no privacy and neighbors were just terrible. They didn't like the high rise condos because when you even if you get indoor parking its too far to walk with groceries from the car to the condo. So in their 80's they buy an old one story home in Darnestown with acre of land on a dead end street. I found someone to cut their grass and maintain the outside. They said the only noise there is the birds chirping in the mornings. If they don't want to drive their car they take Uber. They are much happier now and are in their 90's

[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.

Yes, it just turns out many of the townhomes in the DC area are old. They def have shared walls

[Anonymous]

Many townhouses are larger than SFH in this area. You might have much more space than you bargained for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You would hate stairs if you are fat and lazy. Unfortunately, many Americans are fat and lazy.
Stairs provide free daily exercises. They will keep you fit and healthy.
A study found that people who live in THs are healthier.

It is not exercise, it is a hassle, there is a difference. When you are in a hurry to get ready and go out to work in the morning, or when you are sick and need to get something to eat, your mind isn't on exercise