Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Nice House vs. Nice Neighborhood

The longer we look for our first place the less sure I am of what I want! The more houses we look at it seems that our situation boils down to this: we either get a charming, characterful gem of a bungalow in a semi-scary but up-and-coming neighborhood, or an outdated, sort of bland 1960s ranch in a great neighborhood with a great elementary school.

We're adventurous people. We lived and loved our little Harlem apartment which was also in a semi-scary but up-and-coming neighborhood. It had it's bad moments (like scary men on the street and one shooting) but overall it was awesome and we loved living there!

What are your thoughts? Would you buy a house like this?
 
Even if it was surrounded by houses like this?

14 comments:

  1. Always go for the nice neighborhood if you can!

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  2. ohhh that's tough - is that the only super cute house?...which it is a super cute house!

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  3. I have bought cute houses in bad neighborhoods. It is risky. You have no control over what your neighbors do and no guarantee your property value will increase. Be careful!

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  4. please take my advice and go for the nice neigborhood there is nothing worse then an awful neiborhood with awful neighbors a house can always be fixed up, some neiborhoods are hopeless, in the end you'll have less of a headach with the nice hood

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  5. Thanks for visiting my blog, I'm your new follower.

    I would go for the safer neighborhood. Being in a house is kind of different from an apartment, because everything is much closer. There is usually only a door or a window separating you from any bad guys that might be out there, unless you want to have a big fence and everything.

    Also, a safe neighborhood is probably a better investment and will be easier to sell if you want to move.

    I totally understand your doubts though, looking for houses is hard work and might feel hopeless.

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  6. Cuter house! It looks like you'll have little to do in the way of maintenance for the time being and that's always an added bonus...

    Also, I love your blog and Tennessee!!!

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  7. I would have to agree with eveyone who says go with the good neighborhood. You will have plenty of chances later to find your "dream home". Being near a school is very important as well as being in a safe neighborhood (especially when you start having kids). You are VERY talented and can make anything look amazing....

    Hope this helps

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  8. Wow everybody! Thanks for all of the great input!! I'm going to look at house today on my lunch hour that's in the great school district! I'll keep you all posted with the search.

    Also, welcome Evergirl, Alice and Me!! Thanks for adding to the conversation! I always love to hear your thoughts.

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  9. I'd definitely go with the nice neighborhood. Good schools are also very important, especially if you plan to have children in the future. You can always upgrade the house to be more aesthically pleasing.

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  10. Brandi & Karen are exactly right. Plus there are some of us that would rather not have to worry about you coming in after dark or being alone in the house when Kane is out like we did when you were in NY! Huge hugs! ;-D

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  11. I'm not quite following your pictures...the small blue house is adorable too! Are you meaning the yellow one is not so great, being near houses like the blue one? Ilove them both!
    But I do agree about neighborhoods; remember the old saying: "location location location"...it's true!

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  12. ooh, that's tough. the house is really lovely, but if the neighborhood isn't safe--I wouldn't do it. i mean, any neighborhood (no matter how nice) has the potential for awful things to happen, but why risk it if you don't have to?
    good luck!

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  13. wow--I'm impressed with the debate. Jimmy and I went through this next year. Imagine it being 9pm on a beautiful summer night. You and Kane want to go on a walk...you're pregnant...where do you want to walk? Stroll a baby? Would a happy neighbor get your mail if you are out of town? Just some thoughts...

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  14. Thanks for stopping by my blog last week! We too are looking at houses and are running into similar debates :).

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