Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I say that the DC area is not expensive compared to other cities. You pay basically the same for a quality new build in DC as you do in nice areas of Tampa, Nashville, Charleston or even Birmingham Alabama.

Thats what i am seeing, i mean these houses are more than the new 8000sf builds in closer in Mclean/N arlington, yes i am counting the basement as well.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7000-Tyndale-St-22101/home/9405051
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/6908-Southridge-Dr-22101/home/9404625
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/3941-N-Glebe-Rd-22207/home/11229222


these aren't even on the water!
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/4624-W-San-Jose-St-33629/home/47281424
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/4602-W-Lowell-Ave-33629/home/47281477
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/3602-S-Belcher-Dr-33629/home/47282675

It's Fort Lauderdale, lots of houses in the 20 M+wow!
https://www.redfin.com/city/6173/FL/Fort-Lauderdale/filter/sort=hi-price,min-year-built=2024

The houses you list are in Sunset Park which is considered a much higher end neighborhood to the location of those McLean homes. It’s not apples-to-apples and I assume if you looked in a Tampa suburb (and not even the desirable section of that suburb…those McLean homes aren’t in the best parts of McLean), you would find the equivalent

No - they're right. All of the Plant High School area (the nice part of Tampa) is as expensive as the nicest parts of Mclean. But it's the same in Boca, Miami, Orlando, Nashville, Charleston and Atlanta (at least for nice new builds - not cookie cutters with mid-range appliances, but houses that are typically $3-4M in Mclean aren't cheaper in those cities).

We did this about 4 years back - 10s

Anonymous wrote:When I make $120k I loved in a 2k sq ft home. And 15 years later when I made close to $400k I still liver in the same house. My house is cheap and functional, but extremely well maintained with high quality materials.

Some of you are really fancy 8k sq ft homes damn lol

400K is 200K from 15 years ago. in 2010 after financial crisis 200K was a big salary.

My neighbors has a 7,500 sf home at and are lke in mid 80s.

Around 80 since main floor is 2,500 sf they renovated it to turn large living room area in big master bedroom suite with bathroom. They already had a large Den area.

They never go upstairs as only used if grandkids come over or guests. And never use basement. It is basically a one level 2,500 sf house.

The upstairs they told me will be good as plan to die there and at some point will need caretaker or kids staying over when they are near end. And they have six bedrooms upstaires for that.

When I make $120k I loved in a 2k sq ft home. And 15 years later when I made close to $400k I still liver in the same house. My house is cheap and functional, but extremely well maintained with high quality materials.

Some of you are really fancy 8k sq ft homes damn lol

I am also interested in moving to Florida when my kids are gone. We don't have 8000 sq feet, but we do have 7 bathrooms. I have history in Tampa, so I know that area, and like it, and yes, the nice areas are actually more expensive than here. 3000 sq feet is still pretty big for 2 people and the main difference is the lack of a basement so, luggage/Christmas storage, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is why I say that the DC area is not expensive compared to other cities. You pay basically the same for a quality new build in DC as you do in nice areas of Tampa, Nashville, Charleston or even Birmingham Alabama.

Thats what i am seeing, i mean these houses are more than the new 8000sf builds in closer in Mclean/N arlington, yes i am counting the basement as well.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7000-Tyndale-St-22101/home/9405051
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/6908-Southridge-Dr-22101/home/9404625
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/3941-N-Glebe-Rd-22207/home/11229222


these aren't even on the water!
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/4624-W-San-Jose-St-33629/home/47281424
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/4602-W-Lowell-Ave-33629/home/47281477
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/3602-S-Belcher-Dr-33629/home/47282675

It's Fort Lauderdale, lots of houses in the 20 M+wow!
https://www.redfin.com/city/6173/FL/Fort-Lauderdale/filter/sort=hi-price,min-year-built=2024

The houses you list are in Sunset Park which is considered a much higher end neighborhood to the location of those McLean homes. It’s not apples-to-apples and I assume if you looked in a Tampa suburb (and not even the desirable section of that suburb…those McLean homes aren’t in the best parts of McLean), you would find the equivalent

Good brag. Kids will be home holidays and summers and maybe for a few years after college so keep it.

Anonymous wrote:This is why I say that the DC area is not expensive compared to other cities. You pay basically the same for a quality new build in DC as you do in nice areas of Tampa, Nashville, Charleston or even Birmingham Alabama.

Thats what i am seeing, i mean these houses are more than the new 8000sf builds in closer in Mclean/N arlington, yes i am counting the basement as well.
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/7000-Tyndale-St-22101/home/9405051
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Mc-Lean/6908-Southridge-Dr-22101/home/9404625
https://www.redfin.com/VA/Arlington/3941-N-Glebe-Rd-22207/home/11229222


these aren't even on the water!
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/4624-W-San-Jose-St-33629/home/47281424
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/4602-W-Lowell-Ave-33629/home/47281477
https://www.redfin.com/FL/Tampa/3602-S-Belcher-Dr-33629/home/47282675

It's Fort Lauderdale, lots of houses in the 20 M+wow!
https://www.redfin.com/city/6173/FL/Fort-Lauderdale/filter/sort=hi-price,min-year-built=2024

Anonymous wrote:I’m guessing outer ex burbs, Great Falls, Darnestown, North Potomac etc. Lots of land, big houses, no taste LOL.

I guess the first rule of downsizing is to be ready to dump 50% or more of your stuff. Do not take furniture that doesn’t fit. If moving from a colder to a warmer climate keep in mind that things like multiple coat closets may not exist. Depending on the climate and age of the new home, garage space may be much smaller.

Our place is in McLean, closer in. We built a large house 10 years ago, not sure what it would get, but we are thinking maybe 3m or so. Our lot isn't that big, so thats what the max would be imo.

This is why I say that the DC area is not expensive compared to other cities. You pay basically the same for a quality new build in DC as you do in nice areas of Tampa, Nashville, Charleston or even Birmingham Alabama.

Anonymous wrote:its funny, almost like we are shopping for houses based on the size of our dining room table, its not that big but seats 10.

That’s weird. We have a normal size house (6 of us, 3k sf), and our table sits ten in a traditionally sized colonial. Big table was key to us! (Unfortunately no leaf, which would have let us host 12 or 14 by impinging on the living room, which is open to the dining room.). We came to this house from 1200 sf, so I’ve always felt were really spread out here. Will likely go smaller when the last two are out (they are, frankly, the most DIY so take up all available space).

I’m guessing outer ex burbs, Great Falls, Darnestown, North Potomac etc. Lots of land, big houses, no taste LOL.

I guess the first rule of downsizing is to be ready to dump 50% or more of your stuff. Do not take furniture that doesn’t fit. If moving from a colder to a warmer climate keep in mind that things like multiple coat closets may not exist. Depending on the climate and age of the new home, garage space may be much smaller.

Less systems to fix, less energy wasted, less bathrooms to clean, cozier space, not in need of more space, appropriately sized.

Buy a smaller house, knock down a non-structural wall, and voila, you have room for your gargantuan dining table. Problem solved.