bostonbubble.com

[WestCoastXPlant]

ConcernedCitizen, more power to you. It's not that I look for a house that would take a forest to heat. I personally have 3 kids so for me the choice is between paying upfront for a community with good schools or paying 3x for private schools for 10 years (not even talking college).

I am European and I understand the appeal of a dense urban setting...But there is a reason Europe has declining population. Tried living in a one bedroom loft with 3 kids -- I did ? And not doing it again

[john p]

I think it might also be related to the fact that first time buyers are getting older and older and having a quiet, safe place for their kids to grow up becomes a more important concern.

City living is totally great. I wouldn't feel like a minority, the "topics" that are related to "Immune Towns" or "What's Hingham like" might get more chatter because it is trying to focus on the appeal and evaluation of the premium of them.

It would be a loss to lose you off this blog because the market is totally interconnnected and the behavior of all the regions impact eachother to some degree.

When I was younger, I wasn't as challenged at work so I went out searching for stimulation. Now, I'm friggin wiped and have gotten what I thought I wanted (responsiblity) and I like the peace and quiet to unwind.

As far as the whole deterioration of the McMansions, the simplicity of a wooden frame, asphalt shingles, etc. make maintenance cheaper. The chemicals that you're speaking about might be what they call "flakeboard", which is a type of sheathing. As long as these places stay dry and the roof doesn't leak and you have enough perimeter venting in the soffits and ridge, and positive drainage away from the building you should be good. Sometimes when they say "They don't build them like they used to", that's a good thing. Many old buildings in Boston are built on wooden piles and good luck with those properties if they ever deteriorate.

If I chose to live in a city, I'd look for an area where the inhabitants were more permanent and less transient. It wouldn't matter to me what ethnicity or race, it would be good to get to know people at a deeper level over time.

Again, I like peeing in my back yard and sitting in my boxers while I watch Columbo and I don't think my neighbors in a city would appreciate looking in at me. It wouldn't be like a Edward Hopper painting.

[jak]

ConcernedCitizen, I agree with much of what you said, but Hingham, Winchester, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, etc. are not full of newly constructed McMansions and you don't have to drive everywhere. Quite the opposite, the average home in these towns is about 100 years old and they have great public transit. It sounds like many of us are looking for the same thing you are - a home with character, an interesting town, descent schools (but not necessarily the very best) and a reasonable commute via public transit - unfortunately in the Boston area, most of these towns are still very expensive.

[john p]

Very, very nice place in Kingston for $550,000... Now, I admit, I wish I had waited for this one...

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&where1=27%20Rosewood%20Dr,%20Kingston,%20MA,%2002364

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/27-Rosewood-Dr_Kingston_MA_02364_1107485885

[JCK]

Quite a head of hair on Michelle Burt.

[ConcernedCitizen1]

Thanks everyone for the kind and helpful words, not really sure why I flipped out so much, I think it's just the overall frustration that after ten gazillions of bail out money and a grinding recession, a decent lifestyle still seems unaffordable!! When will it ever change. I want to pay 3x my income and buy a house on only 1 income and not both my and my husbands combined and so I think I'm just pounding my head against a brick wall and the frustration eruped.

I think I'm conflating many issues and it's true that beautiful towns like Hingham and Newton don't even have McMansions, am not sure where I pulled that out from.

John p you especially have a way with words, I was cracking up.

The reason I continue to watch Boston real estate is that our jobs (my husband and I) here in London UK are not particularly safe and we may relocate back to Boston where my family lives. I can't really decide what it is we would want so it's helpful to hear everyone's view. Thanks again for being welcoming.

[JCK]