Our row house was built in 1880 and is solid as a rock.

We also have a house in the suburbs built in 1920--solid.

So, no.

Houses with granite foundation, awesome hardwoods, solid brass radiators and the like made up an elite segment of 103-year old housing, and that's why they held up until today. You are comparing elite housing from 100 years ago to the standard housing of today.

Nope. I'm comparing middle class housing with middle class housing. In 1910, the things you cite were standard-issue in middle class homes in the District of Columbia. Just because a home would sell for $1.3 million today due to its land value near the Red Line doesn't change the fact that it was built for a mid-level government worker in 1913. Wards 3, 4 and 5 are full of such 3-bedroom homes built between 1910 and 1928.

Living in a European house now. It was built in 2002 and compares to the home I had build in NOVA in 2005. Its a nice house, but I'd love mixer faucets and a garage that holds a car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

You are so right. The resin-plastic squares shaped like grey stones on new-home construction are a real improvement over the granite stones that have formed the foundation of my house for 103 years with no issues. I'm sure those grey plastic things molded to resemble stone will also hold up just as well for 103 years!

Repeat for hardwoods, clay brick, solid brass radiators, etc.

It's weird how my plaster is still pretty awesome but my sisters 2004 drywall is buckling and showing seams. I guess that's because Chinese drywall is so superior?

You are being unfair in your comparison. There was plenty of crap built 103 years ago. It's just that most of it has already dilapidated beyond repair and died a natural death or was demolished. Houses with granite foundation, awesome hardwoods, solid brass radiators and the like made up an elite segment of 103-year old housing, and that's why they held up until today. You are comparing elite housing from 100 years ago to the standard housing of today. I'm sure that there is elite housing being built today that will survive for 100+ years, just like your house did.

I live in a 50-year old house. I hate my plaster walls. They are uneven, show weird strings slapped about in random fashion and are ice cold in winter to the point where I have to move the bed away from the wall. I can't wait to rip them out and add actual insulation covered, why yes, by Chinese drywall.

Anonymous wrote: Which reminds me the reaction from an European friend regarding shutters. He realized that most shutters in the area are decorative, not functional -- and, sadly, a majority of them are ugly vinyl ones. He asked me, if those shutters don't work, why are they installing them? I answered, just for decoration. "For decoration?!?" He just couldn't understand why on earth people would install shutters that purposely don't work when they could install shutters that do work as intended: "isn't the point of having a shutter the ability of actually using them?" After that conversation, whenever I am in Europe, I take a look at shutters around me and, indeed, I have never seen a purely "decorative" shutter that is not operable. (By the way, operable shutters look much better than purely decorative ones, in my personal opinion)

Exactly ! I am the European from 10:04 and we just bought a house in DC with decorative shutters. When me and my European husband went to visit it for the first time we were like "Great ! Finally some shutters" We were disappointed to find out they were fake. But we still love our DC house.

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

You are so right. The resin-plastic squares shaped like grey stones on new-home construction are a real improvement over the granite stones that have formed the foundation of my house for 103 years with no issues. I'm sure those grey plastic things molded to resemble stone will also hold up just as well for 103 years!

Repeat for hardwoods, clay brick, solid brass radiators, etc.

It's weird how my plaster is still pretty awesome but my sisters 2004 drywall is buckling and showing seams. I guess that's because Chinese drywall is so superior?

I think the reaction to "how houses are built here" is part of a typical reaction from some Europeans about U.S. "pragmatism". When they see a house covered with Tyvek and then brick veneer, some of them may think "This is fake!" as they compare it to a centuries-old brick house back home. Also, U.S. construction gives a sense that "we build houses that will last 50+years because by then the new owner of the lot will tear down and rebuild new. This might be a reasonably pragmatic approach , but some Europeans may find it bizarre -- "you are saying that you are building a home knowing that it will only be fine for 50 years?!?"

Which reminds me the reaction from an European friend regarding shutters. He realized that most shutters in the area are decorative, not functional -- and, sadly, a majority of them are ugly vinyl ones. He asked me, if those shutters don't work, why are they installing them? I answered, just for decoration. "For decoration?!?" He just couldn't understand why on earth people would install shutters that purposely don't work when they could install shutters that do work as intended: "isn't the point of having a shutter the ability of actually using them?" After that conversation, whenever I am in Europe, I take a look at shutters around me and, indeed, I have never seen a purely "decorative" shutter that is not operable. (By the way, operable shutters look much better than purely decorative ones, in my personal opinion)

DH is German and although he is surprised at what our walls are made of, as he has been hacking at them during kitchen renovations, he loves our house.

This discussion reminds me that life in Europe can be more poetic and less comfortable at the same time.

That said, the sample of Europeans in this forum are largely people who live in the US and, for whatever reason, find life in the US preferable -- including the overall housing experience. To correct the selection bias, It would be interesting to see what Europeans living in Europe *and* who have first hand knowledge about US housing think.

In any event, I do think OP was a troll.

PS: also interesting how the conversation quickly evolved into new vs old...

I am European and I prefer the U.S. real estate by a wide margin. Yes, Europe has the edge when it comes to aesthetics, but it's not like 100% of Europe is made of charming cottages or high-ceilinged apartments with ornate cornices! Much of it is taken up by high-rise blocks of apartments with comfort level lagging behind the expectations of modern families.

For a time, I lived in Notting Hill in a 'fabulous' 3-story townhouse. It was essentially a 2-bedroom apartment stretched over 3 floors. You had to climb up for everything, the temperature was completely different on all 3 stories, and closet space was non-existent. Comfortable European residences have all been exhaustively rehabbed with modern conveniences - in which the U.S. leads the way - in mind.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I know I will get a lot of negative comments for posting this, but knowing how homes are made in Europe I just can't justify buying a home for living in it knowing that I am spending a large amount for a home that it is made of wooden pieces and paper.

I am European and I don't understand the point of this post. That troll has no idea what it is talking about. Europe is big and diverse and lodging can vary depending if you live north of Norway or South of Greece, or in a Parisian apartment. Actually, wooden construction can be of very high quality and you find a lot of them in Europe. Some of some were built in the 13 century and are still standing beautifully. I own properties in both continents, and I know they are all very well built.

Exactly. In London, for instance, we lived in a lovely 19th century brick semi-detached. In 1895 I have no doubt it was FABULOUS. However, it has since been split into 3 flats, and you could hear every single footstep from the units above, below and through the attached wall. And because of the historic restrictions, we still had those single-paned windows that frost in the winter. You could litterally feel and see the wind going through the flat in the winter. So yes, it was a very well-made house, but not when you consider how it evolved.

vs

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

100% wrong.

nice rebuttal, you must be a great lawyer

Anonymous wrote:So, I know I will get a lot of negative comments for posting this, but knowing how homes are made in Europe I just can't justify buying a home for living in it knowing that I am spending a large amount for a home that it is made of wooden pieces and paper.

I am European and I don't understand the point of this post. That troll has no idea what it is talking about. Europe is big and diverse and lodging can vary depending if you live north of Norway or South of Greece, or in a Parisian apartment. Actually, wooden construction can be of very high quality and you find a lot of them in Europe. Some of some were built in the 13 century and are still standing beautifully. I own properties in both continents, and I know they are all very well built.

Anonymous wrote:people who say houses were built better in the "old days" are really stupid and ignorant of building codes and new materials.

100% wrong.