I wouldn't buy a house next to a store, a mechanic, and bus stop.

The townhouse could be OK, but it's impossible to say without knowing more about your commute. If "exurb" means nightmare commute, then it's a firm no.

Agree with everyone else, neither.

You want the best SFH in the best neighborhood (best schools) you can afford. If you have kids, and you can't afford to buy in that neighborhood, you rent in that neighborhood

Anonymous wrote:Neither.
I’d get a small SFH with nice yard in a suburb with good schools.

This is what we ended up getting, though there are fewer and fewer left of these as they tend to be scooped up by developers.

Street parking and that equipment store will be no gos

A home built in 1900 would never appeal to me.

Neither, both sound bad.

Rent in the area with better schools. Find a rental with some yard and enjoy the lower crime area and not worrying about maintenance.

Anonymous wrote:Neither.
I’d get a small SFH with nice yard in a suburb with good schools.

I doubt an SFH in a good school district would be the same price range as a new TH in the exurbs or or a fixer upper historic home in the city area that doesn't sound so quaint either.

Both sound terrible. If you care about schools I'd go for an older townhome in a good school district. Likely to be the same price range as a glorified Victorian in the city or an exurban new luxury construction roome community. Also, many of them have patios for private outdoor access even if there are no yards. Some have pools and community centers too. There are loads of them all around DC metro in good school districts and closer to amenities than exurban sprawl.

Neither.
I’d get a small SFH with nice yard in a suburb with good schools.

Neither.

Neither

I woukd keep looking, personally.

I mean -- what matters most to you? To me, it is mostly a question of city vs. exurb. What do you like best? Will you have to commute for work? Are you handy? Both of these options come with drawbacks. I know what I would choose, but my choice is irrelevant to anyone but me.

1900 built Victorian:
Small front yard
Repairs needed
Beautiful home and interior
Street parking
Bus stop outside your front steps
Corner store across the street
Old mechanic equipment store next door
Higher crime city area

2025 Built Townhome:
No yard
Exurb location
New build and modern
Lower crime
Higher ranked schools
Townhome neighborhood