Housing Styles In Your Town (fit in, sale, 2015)

[irwin]

Originally Posted by Terrapin2212

I actually really like the stucco houses in the Southwest and parts of Florida. A lot of new subdivisions I've seen around Las Vegas, Miami, and in Southern California are really pleasant with the large stucco homes, palms trees, and a nice swimming pool in the backyard.

I liked it at first as well (well, apart from the garage in the front). They were different and unique from what I was used in the Northeast.

But then I started to realize how cheaply they are constructed. Also the pure monotony of it got irritating. If you want a different style, basically you are out of luck. Character and culture is sacrificed for producing as much as possible, as cheaply as possible. Really, it's the Walmart of real estate.

For me, variety is the spice of life.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by irwin

I liked it at first as well (well, apart from the garage in the front). They were different and unique from what I was used in the Northeast.

But then I started to realize how cheaply they are constructed. Also the pure monotony of it got irritating. If you want a different style, basically you are out of luck. Character and culture is sacrificed for producing as much as possible, as cheaply as possible. Really, it's the Walmart of real estate.

For me, variety is the spice of life.

Having worked for a builder, i was appalled at the construction, too. If the public knew, they would never buy another!

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by kshe95girl

yes, we have those too..... talk about pretentious! but if they werrnt there, i would have no business, a catch-22 for me!

Pretentious is nationwide. Here's some from my region. We have a lot of affluent transplants moving here from Greater NYC who are building lavish homes on our hillsides.















I don't understand why some people wish to "flaunt" their wealth. If I ever happen to become fabulously wealthy (which I won't be able to with an Accounting degree), I'd live comfortably yet modestly and be as altruistic as possible. Why "hoard" everything? I just don't get it.

[kshe95girl]

Just goes to show that money cant buy wealth, or class for that matter. Houses like that are my bread and butter. Its funny, they build those houses, and have no idea how to really live in them. Besides just designing the interiors for my clients, I often am asked about lifestyle issues by them..... think I am going to start a deportment class for the wealthy clueless.
I would never live in one of those, would much prefer one of the charming houses in your pix that have some soul and character.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

I personally don't see the attraction of suburbs where every house looks basically the same.

[STLCardsBlues1989]

Originally Posted by irwin

I liked it at first as well (well, apart from the garage in the front). They were different and unique from what I was used in the Northeast.

But then I started to realize how cheaply they are constructed. Also the pure monotony of it got irritating. If you want a different style, basically you are out of luck. Character and culture is sacrificed for producing as much as possible, as cheaply as possible. Really, it's the Walmart of real estate.

For me, variety is the spice of life.

I'm guessing a lot of new homes aren't built to last like homes 100 years ago were. Fact is, a lot of 80-100 buildings still stand and can be rehabbed most of the time if they're not demolished for a new parking lot (Century building).

A lot of downtown St. Louis is old and the buildings are still standing. Some are being rehabbed after sitting vacant for a while. Older buildings tend to have more uniqueness as well it seems. It's like new houses have a few basic designs that they use over and over. Often older buildings, especially commercial it seems, have small things about them that set them apart from others. Even the townhouses in Lafayette Square are all a little bit different. Some are designed basically the same, but they're at least painted differently usually. Sometimes one house will have a mansard roof and some are just flatroofed, often they have small details that set them apart.

[kshe95girl]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I'm guessing a lot of new homes aren't built to last like homes 100 years ago were. Fact is, a lot of 80-100 buildings still stand and can be rehabbed most of the time if they're not demolished for a new parking lot (Century building).

A lot of downtown St. Louis is old and the buildings are still standing. Some are being rehabbed after sitting vacant for a while. Older buildings tend to have more uniqueness as well it seems. It's like new houses have a few basic designs that they use over and over. Often older buildings, especially commercial it seems, have small things about them that set them apart from others. Even the townhouses in Lafayette Square are all a little bit different. Some are designed basically the same, but they're at least painted differently usually. Sometimes one house will have a mansard roof and some are just flatroofed, often they have small details that set them apart.

Exactly! I have seen some interesting infill houses in some of the neighborhoods in STL, but have seen some god-awful ones too. Wish they would be more like the Square, and have more stringent codes to follow for types of buildings.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I personally don't see the attraction of suburbs where every house looks basically the same.

Like this?

[kshe95girl]

Blech! Ocala is filled with them......hatehatehate that!

[irwin]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I'm guessing a lot of new homes aren't built to last like homes 100 years ago were. Fact is, a lot of 80-100 buildings still stand and can be rehabbed most of the time if they're not demolished for a new parking lot (Century building).

I generally agree with you although it really doesn't have to be that way. Not every builder has to act like Walmart or build the type of neighborhoods you see in places like Phoenix, Vegas, etc. Other cities are building homes that although new, have a character and charm all their own.

Here are just a few example. The one below is a modern house built in Houston; a city that catches a lot of flack - much of it deserved. But there are also newer homes going up there that have character to them. Neighborhoods like the Heights are especially charming with older historic Victorians and craftmen alongside newer constructions that aren't ranch homes, stucco boxes or McMansions


An example from Arlington, VA with newer townhomes built to enhance the neighborhoods walkability and sustainability.


My point is that we don't have to accept the crap we are getting.