re: Why Are New LA Houses so Boring/Stale?

quote:

---

*Tract (homes).

---

Thank you. I just started reading this thread. The misuse of track was making my brain hurt.

quote:

---

I could live country or city, but to me, the suburbs offer a good mix between the two, personally.

---

I fail to see the logic behind that. You end up living in an area with restrictions but don't have any of the positives that come with living in a city in your choices usually. End up shopping at big box stores for everything, have a pretty abysmal selection of restaurants to pick from, and that you find everywhere else just like it. End up spending a lot of time in your vehicle going wherever you need to go, especially home and to work. You can't really grow a big garden or go outside your door and take a leak, burn a pile of leaves, or build what you want on your property.

I just don't see the attraction in quality of life it affords one. If I move out to the country, it certainly won't be to move right up next to my neighbor to shop at a big box store. It will be to get the F away from people, grow a big arse garden, raise chickens and pigs, invite my friends over to my bonfire and blow some rounds up target practicing or the like, maybe get a four wheeler and get stupid in the mud.

quote:

---

I think you're right, but I also think there's a case to be made for the market desiring the maximum square footage one can afford over quality. Quantity over quality or uniqueness.

---

This is the real reason. People spit a good game about how they want architectural uniqueness, etc, but when the rubber hits the road buyers' #1 desire is to maximize raw square footage. Builders know this, and these cookie cutter designs are meant to maximize the square feet per dollar.

Smack on a nice countertop instead of formica and bam, you've got a 'luxury' home.

quote:

---

This is the real reason. People spit a good game about how they want architectural uniqueness, etc, but when the rubber hits the road buyers' #1 desire is to maximize raw square footage.

---

I have 4 kids under 7 with more on the way, God-willing. I would be happy to build a roughly 2,000 sq. ft crafstman-style 4 bedroom house. Problem is that if you don't go with a national builder, that will cost you $300+ excluding the land unless you go cheap on everything.

I have been in my 80+ year old house for 6 years now, and I've spent about $40k cash on improvements. I've often regretted the decision to buy this place, but the more I look into building, the more I think I might have lucked into a good decision. I could take out a loan to double my mortgage on this place, fix it up with nice features, fixtures, updates, etc, and still be way under the cost of a new place.

The economics just don't seem to be right for building a house right now unless you are either very wealthy or don't mind buying whatever DR Horton is producing.

quote:

---

I don't know how anybody could stand to live in a subdivision.

---

Mine backs up to a 20 acre farm that backs up to the Natchez Trace. Looking out my front door is a view of the golf course.

Somehow I eek by

That's why once I've saved up to build myself a house, I'm GC'ing the job myself (I have a construction background) and my SO and I will be drawing up the plans. I already have a PE, architect, and attorney in the family at the ready to turnkey that project once I can afford to build it.