is basement common in most suburban homes? (Boston: houses, living)

[rsnsmh]

Is basement very common in most suburban single homes? Most of the single houses i can find online seems to have basement - I do NOT prefer house with basement (long story - have a 12 years old and dont want to have weird things happening in the basement as he grows up). In GA, basement is not very common. Do i need to look for specific types of house in MA to find the ones without basement?

In the process of relocating from GA to MA (Boston Metro).

[brightdoglover]

Depends on where you are looking. It seems to be a very big thing in New England (and Boston metro).

Houses built on slabs do not have basements. At least in New England, people look down on slab houses and they have lower value (maybe lower prices).

I grew up in south Jersey in a house on a slab and I turned out okay.

[massnative71]

I would not recommend a slab house (often known is a "Campanelli House"), that were typically built in the 50s through 70s. There is a reason they aren't built like that any more, lot's of issues. A basement is far more ideal for New England, hence why majority of homes will have them.

[jayrandom]

Footings have to be below the frost line, which is about three feet around here. At that point, might as well make a basement. Down south there isn’t really a frost line. In Louisiana the water table is so high you basement would always be flooded.

[bugelrex]

What kind of weird things? Finished basements are very common ... and look just as nice as the main living area

[brightdoglover]

I have always thought of basements as holes in the ground waiting to be filled up. That's just me, I know people really like them.

[LexWest]

I’m not sure what style of home you prefer, but there are some split level homes and raised ranches. While they do have basements, split levels are at least mostly above ground, and raised ranches are completely above ground—that is, if your basement concerns include darkness. Many homeowners have finished theirs and they become just as livable as the main living areas in the home.

[Shrewsburried]

Weird things happening in basements? Interesting ...

You're not going to want a slab home in the Northeast unless you enjoy cold and damp living. Best bet is a raised or split ranch, as others have suggested. The better 'architected' ones have large and well placed windows/doors which lead to believe you're not in a basement (even if you really are).

The field stone foundation of my childhood home was rather cramped and dank, so I deferred to the local conservation trails or modern cement foundations when smoking a joint with friends or failing sexually. If your primary concern is to discourage teen congregation, do seek out a home in which the basement has a few sump pump holes and many spider webs ... your kids will never explore their dark sides in such a place.

[wolfgang239]

Thanks for that, I needed a good laugh tonight

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by rsnsmh

Is basement very common in most suburban single homes? Most of the single houses i can find online seems to have basement - I do NOT prefer house with basement (long story - have a 12 years old and dont want to have weird things happening in the basement as he grows up). In GA, basement is not very common. Do i need to look for specific types of house in MA to find the ones without basement?

In the process of relocating from GA to MA (Boston Metro).

It's pretty unusual to find homes without a basement in the Boston area. There are some but not a ton. What kind of things do you see happening in your basement? Most people are very happy to have a finished basement and often make part of it an area for their kids to play in so that the mess/toys are out of sight when guests come over.