Cookie Cutter Homes (Irvine, Empire: cul-de-sac, custom home, neighborhoods)

[NDA]

What is the attraction for those who choose to live in homes and commuties where every house is uniform or every other house is uniform?

The track homes of old managed to look different. It didn't feel so produced or heartless. These new neighborhods seem almost fake, no character or anything.

I think one of the reasons I'd be willing to pay more here in L.A or the Bay Area for a home is because its easy to find a house with character. The idea of living in a cul-de-sac subdivision with look alike houses is not anything I'd purposely do everyday, not even to save money.

So what is the attraction- other than price- for some to choose a planned communities and look alike housing?

TIA

[jessemh431]

like you said-cheaper. the homes look good, are generally kinda spacious, have a community pool, and are cheaper.

[straight outta camden]

Originally Posted by NDA

What is the attraction for those who choose to live in homes and commuties where every house is uniform or every other house is uniform?

The track homes of old managed to look different. It didn't feel so produced or heartless. These new neighborhods seem almost fake, no character or anything.

I think one of the reasons I'd be willing to pay more here in L.A or the Bay Area for a home is because its easy to find a house with character. The idea of living in a cul-de-sac subdivision with look alike houses is not anything I'd purposely do everyday, not even to save money.

So what is the attraction- other than price- for some to choose a planned communities and look alike housing?

TIA

What new developments are you thinking of? The "tract homes of old" (Levittown, Irvine etc.) were indeed cookie-cutter. The new ones, in the Inland Empire and elsewhere, are not. Most modern developments strive for a mix of styles, often inviting several builders to compete for clients by offering a range of homes. The result can be wacky; it can be fake. But it is hardly monotonous.

[Californiaguy2007]

Their are some really nice Cookie Cutter Home Type Communities,but honestly I do prefer to live in a Community with Older Homes and Mature Trees.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Cookie cutter to me represents a newer home in a safe, quiet neighborhood. All too often, older homes are either in horrible parts of town or if they're not, are extremely expensive. I'll take safe and bland over unaffordable or dangerous any day. I'll plant some flowers and bushes to make the outside my own.

[TrojanDLA]

The "cookie cutter" design itself is never the draw, but rather the uniformity in cleanliness and organization that draws buyers.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by NDA

What is the attraction for those who choose to live in homes and commuties where every house is uniform or every other house is uniform?

The track homes of old managed to look different. It didn't feel so produced or heartless. These new neighborhods seem almost fake, no character or anything.

I think one of the reasons I'd be willing to pay more here in L.A or the Bay Area for a home is because its easy to find a house with character. The idea of living in a cul-de-sac subdivision with look alike houses is not anything I'd purposely do everyday, not even to save money.

So what is the attraction- other than price- for some to choose a planned communities and look alike housing?

TIA

One alternative is a custom home. But they cost more and normally require individual permits (Wells, septic, other utilities). We bought one. It has it's advantages and some disadvantages. Right now, I wouldn't mind a cookie cutter home as we'd have more "little kid" density. And as mentioned, community amenities are nice and efficient.

[ImRandy]

People like knowing where the bathroom is when they go to their new neighbor's house for the first time.

[katenik]

i hate them, too. like the o/p said, they look fake, like overgrown playhouses or facades on a studio backlot. i'd take a restored 80-year-old bungalow in spaulding square over one of those stepford houses in wal-mart valley any day of the week.

[JanaD]

I think the attraction is that they are new... new is better in many peoples minds. I like the older homes also. Not necessarily the older track homes but in the LA area there are a lot of communities that were all custom build. You bought your lot and got your own builder. I love those neighborhoods!