Which US Cities Have Houses with Basements? (fit in, to rent)
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I grew up on the West Coast where basements aren’t as common place - in new homes at least - and the idea of a basement always seemed so foreign to me. What I’m wondering is where in the US are homes being built and have generally always been built with basements? Thanks! 🙂
The Midwest and Eastcoast. I’m like you, it was foreign, and very cool, visiting family with basements growing up. Since you don’t need them because of the weather, the garage is Southern California’s answer to the basement.
Yup. Here in Kansas City basements are almost ubiquitous, or at least lower floors that are sort-of halfway underground. Not only desired for tornadoes, but comes in handy in the summer, too.
The Midwest and Eastcoast. I’m like you, it was foreign, and very cool, visiting family with basements growing up. Since you don’t need them because of the weather, the garage is Southern California’s answer to the basement.
I notice that there are some places in California with basements, but it's always old houses. I know I have seen a couple in Sacramento, some in Reno, but none whatsoever along the coast or in Southern California. Too bad because I think they are great!!
I notice that there are some places in California with basements, but it's always old houses. I know I have seen a couple in Sacramento, some in Reno, but none whatsoever along the coast or in Southern California. Too bad because I think they are great!!
Yeah the ones I’ve seen in the older homes I think were more of cellers. I did a lot of rehab work on houses when I was younger and that was the impression I got.
I’m 6’4” and I could barely fit in most, some I couldn’t. It did make running electrical and plumbing easy though. The only “true” basements I’ve seen have been in custom homes, not to say they’re not out there, or you haven’t seen them.
They most certainly are great, I wished I had one, still do. And I’m sure it’s just an oversight, but Reno is in Nevada.
Definitely the Midwest. In the Chicago area, you'd be hard pressed to find home without a basement. It's the opposite in places like Dallas. Apparently the "shifty" soil in some areas makes basements cost prohibitive. Nashville is another example where basements are rare, but soil isn't the problem there, it's due to lots of solid rock just below grade, making it very expensive to dig out a basement.
Basements are typically built out of necessity because excavation is expensive. They're only common in areas where the frost line is more than 2-3' below the surface because you have to dig down below it to prevent the foundation from being damaged/destroyed by the freeze/thaw cycle.
All over the upper Midwest, at least where I have lived (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa).
When I lived in the Los Angeles area and was looking for places to rent, I was surprised to find one house with a full, finished basement - I seem to recall it being in Glendale off Verdugo north of GCC or near the college. Felt like being back in the Midwest.
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