How do you explain house prices someone who won't listen? (Columbia: for sale, real estate)

[NicoleJ]

My husband has accepted a job in DC. we'll be hopefully moving next month. He wants to find a house for $150 -200k in a safe neighborhood. I KEEP telling him that it's not possible. This is one of the most expensive areas of the country and you either can pay $150 and live in a very very bad part of town or pay more and live in a decent area. We're having tons of arguments over this b/c he refuses to understand that the prices are NOT like they are here in El Paso Texas on the border.

We want to move to Columbia MD and he can commute from there. He wants to find a detached house w/ 3 or more bedrooms, 1 1/2 or more bathrooms, dining room, finished basement, backyard for under $250k!!!

seriously.

[sundaze]

One thing you could do is go to REALTOR.com - Real Estate Listings & Homes For Sale and search in Columbia, Maryland for single family homes with 3+ bedroom for 150-250 thousand dollars. I just did this and there is nothing. Maybe, though, for the sake of your relationship you don't want to prolong this argument and make a big thing out of it. It is a pretty long commute from Columbia to DC also, which will prove expensive. Maybe your husband could get more involved in the process himself so this won't be a source of contention between the two of you. Perhaps he could ask his new employer to recommend a relocation realtor to help you find a place.
Another thing to consider is that the DC are is very diverse with a lot of suburbs in both Maryland and Virginia. An important thing to consider is exactly where his job is and what the commute would be like. I would strongly recommend, if it is at all possible, that you rent first for 6 months or a year to get familiar with the area and then you both will have a better idea of where you would like to live and whether it is affordable for you.
Good Luck!

[Bagira]

Yes I'd recommend to rent also to find out where you want to live...We rent a 2bed/2bath in Rockville easy access to Metro for $1500 a month. Newer nicer 2/2 go for @2k a month. 3-4bed 1-2bath homes around here Twinbrook neighborhood @ 350k for a REALLY BIG fixer-upper to @ 450-500k for something livable.

[Bagira]

You probably if you can live near a metro trust me you do not want to drive in commuting times unless you ABSOLUTELY have to.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority metro

[Zippy7fo]

Originally Posted by nrkelly

My husband has accepted a job in DC. we'll be hopefully moving next month. He wants to find a house for $150 -200k in a safe neighborhood. I KEEP telling him that it's not possible. This is one of the most expensive areas of the country and you either can pay $150 and live in a very very bad part of town or pay more and live in a decent area. We're having tons of arguments over this b/c he refuses to understand that the prices are NOT like they are here in El Paso Texas on the border.

We want to move to Columbia MD and he can commute from there. He wants to find a detached house w/ 3 or more bedrooms, 1 1/2 or more bathrooms, dining room, finished basement, backyard for under $250k!!!

seriously.

1. He needs to go online and do the research and cost of living adjustment
2. When he starts pounding the pavement reality will start to creep in. I wouldn't argue over it....

[NicoleJ]

Thank you for the answers. I guess, reading your answers, that it's not helping that I'm arguing back.

I REALLY had my heart set on Columbia b/c of the diversity, school district and simply falling in love w/ all the pictures I've seen of it. I REALLY don't want to raise the kids in a place that's too big (over 150k people) but not too small either (less than 35k). He doesn't mind the commute as long as he gets there by 8. He'll be working in L'Enfant plaza. I ABSOLUTELY refuse to live in DC. no way. No offense to those who do. I've been there tons of times and it's just not me.

Viginia is nice, but I like Maryland better. At least all the times I've been to MD I do.

[NoHometoCallMyOwn]

Originally Posted by nrkelly

Thank you for the answers. I guess, reading your answers, that it's not helping that I'm arguing back.

I REALLY had my heart set on Columbia b/c of the diversity, school district and simply falling in love w/ all the pictures I've seen of it. I REALLY don't want to raise the kids in a place that's too big (over 150k people) but not too small either (less than 35k). He doesn't mind the commute as long as he gets there by 8. He'll be working in L'Enfant plaza. I ABSOLUTELY refuse to live in DC. no way. No offense to those who do. I've been there tons of times and it's just not me.

Viginia is nice, but I like Maryland better. At least all the times I've been to MD I do.

Calmly tell him, just once, that it may be possible to find a semi-decent house/neighborhood for the prices he's suggesting, but it won't stay even tolerable for very long and you'll probably have to end up moving every few to several years.

[formerlyhappenstance]

150-200k in a safe neighborhood? It can be done, however, you will probably live in a sketchy neighborhood along with that nice home(albeit you'll have to fix up to look nice). What I mean is all the homes won't look great in your area. Your neighbors home may look like fixer uppers!! It's funny you mentioned housing in Maryland because I was just looking for somewhere for my mom in Prince Georges County. She also, works in DC and she seems to be insistent on moving in the Upper Marlboro,Mitchelville, Largo, Bowie area. You and your husband might want to check that area as well as Ft. Washington. Expensive? Yes, but, your commute will be alot shorter. On the other hand, Sundaze gave you the best advice because buying a house that you don't like is an expensive endevour. Trust me I know from personal experience. To repeat Sundaze, rent closer to DC and sightsee maryland areas then make that hefty purchase once you find an ideal area.

Good Luck

[Zippy7fo]

Originally Posted by nrkelly

Thank you for the answers. I guess, reading your answers, that it's not helping that I'm arguing back.

I REALLY had my heart set on Columbia b/c of the diversity, school district and simply falling in love w/ all the pictures I've seen of it. I REALLY don't want to raise the kids in a place that's too big (over 150k people) but not too small either (less than 35k). He doesn't mind the commute as long as he gets there by 8. He'll be working in L'Enfant plaza. I ABSOLUTELY refuse to live in DC. no way. No offense to those who do. I've been there tons of times and it's just not me.

Viginia is nice, but I like Maryland better. At least all the times I've been to MD I do.

Columbia is great and I wouldn't give up yet..You can find a nice townhome or Condo, just depends on what your willing to settle for...

[sundaze]

Columbia is nice, but it would be a very long and difficult commute to L'Enfant Plaza. That would be another reason to try renting a bit before committing to a place. The traffic around here can be very bad. L'Enfant Plaza has its own metro stop so if you could be near a metro station it would make life much easier. Just a thought. I have lived in Montgomery County, Md my entire adult life and the traffic keeps getting worse.