Personally, I think that a smaller house feels more cozy and gives that home feeling. I grew up in a large 2 story house in the Champions area and I guess I really never noticed how big it was. Now I live in a small 500 sq. ft. 1/1 bungalow house behind a house in Hyde Park here in Austin. Its small, but I have decorated it the way I want it and made it feel cozy, while using some techniques to create space and make it seem bigger than it really is. Living in apartments for 7 years, this pseudo-house makes me feel like I have an actual home which is mine, even though I rent.
Actually, smaller homes are becoming a trend in American home ownership again. There are several books out (The Not So Big House) that talk about the value and convenience of owning homes smaller than 2000 square feet. In addition, sales of used homes have been on the rise every year. One interesting note I saw on Wall Street Week last week is that home ownership is expected to reach 70 percent by the end of this decade. That is far and away the higest percentage in American history. The panelists (mostly industry experts) said it was due primarily to: 1. The fact that boomers are approaching the optimum age for home ownership - 70. At 70, more than 80 percent of people own a home. 2. Immigration. They said that those who immigrate to America are home owners within 10 years of their arrival. America has had surging immigration since the mid 80's. Interesting stuff.
Nice as in location to downtown. Nice as in quality of homes, I don't think so. River Oaks Memorial Champions/1960 area Woodlands Kingwood Sugarland Clear Lake Just a few places that are much nicer home-wise in the Houston area. It all has to do with how far you want to drive. You could get a much nicer and newer custom home in the burbs for the price of an older house in the Heights. However, if location is important, you might be willing to pay to live closer to downtown. Also, the cost of housing in Houston, while on the rise, is about the best in the nation for a major city. My parent's friends recently moved back from California and bought a house for 700,000 in the Champions area that was nicer, newer, and bigger than the 2.4 million dollar home they had just sold in California. That's a big difference.
Statements such as these don't put you in a great light. Makes you seem as if you have always been overpriveleged and spoiled. Me? I grew up in a 1600 square foot house in a crappy neighborhood in a family of four. My wife grew up in a 1600 square foot house with a family of eight. Somehow, we survived. Our house is 2400 square feet (with a lot of wasted space - the master bedroom suite is half of the second floor), but we live in a 1000 square foot apartment. So I think that makes us eternally confused.
Rim, Doesn't put me in a good light? Because I prefer more room per person. I did grow up in a 4000sq ft house, but we rarely used about 1000 of it, as that was the formal dining and formal living area. Currently I have a rather spacious home here in Austin. It is all a matter of personal taste, I prefer a larger house, so that people have some privacy. It doesn't mean that I don't respect other peoples choices. My only comment is that $230k for a 1500 sq ft house is OUTRAGEOUS for Houston. Heck it is outrageous for Seattle or San Fran too, I think people are getting ripped off, but it is just my overpriveleged and spoiled upbringing I guess. DaDakota
DaDa, No, I was really just talking about you making it seem as if 1500 sf was impossible for raising a family, not because you prefer larger...that is all.
Not impossible, just cramped. However, there are some benefits to that, your family is closer together, you talk more, and sharing is more prevelant. I just prefer that each kid has his/her own room and privacy. I also think that home prices in the Heights are too high..but I feel they are too high here in Austin too. Like Jeff, I bought 6 years ago and my home has nearly doubled in value, and that is ridiculous. I could barely afford to buy my house today, and I think that is a crock. Don't even get me started on property taxes...GRRRR !!!!
Boulevard Oaks/Southampton/Museum District/Montrose/Winlow Place That's where it's at. More charm and things to do than the Heights AND you can get a cold beer. of course, that's just one man's opinion.
