Crazy Rents (neighborhood, garden, yard)

[WestieWhitie]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

The other answer nobody wants to hear is move to a cheaper location. And while I don't like the artificially inflated rental markets that enrich those who would not otherwise be enriched if left to their own devices, sometimes moving is what it takes.

What do you mean move to a cheaper location? Slinging coffee with a side of condescension and an occasional sliver of communism is a lot harder than being a CEO who only plays golf and snorts coke, I deserve to live wherever I want!

[Moh1988]

Unrelated question to this conversation,,, what is the average water/sewer monthly bill for a 3bd home or apartment here in town? I'm pretty much paying an average of >200$ and I'm just curious if this is the norm here?

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by Moh1988

Unrelated question to this conversation,,, what is the average water/sewer monthly bill for a 3bd home or apartment here in town? I'm pretty much paying an average of >200$ and I'm just curious if this is the norm here?

Each town is going to be different really, and it will vary widely.


I pay $100/qtr for my water/sewer in Peabody for a 3 BR SFH, and that includes watering my lawn and letting the kids play with the hose and water toys in the summer. My buddies in Reading pay $900/Qtr for a smaller 3BR but same usage as I.

[WestieWhitie]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Each town is going to be different really, and it will vary widely.


I pay $100/qtr for my water/sewer in Peabody for a 3 BR SFH, and that includes watering my lawn and letting the kids play with the hose and water toys in the summer. My buddies in Reading pay $900/Qtr for a smaller 3BR but same usage as I.

Wait, what? Water/sewer alone in Reading is $3,600/year for a small house? That’s only slightly lower than condo fees that include that along with heat, maintenance, insurance and a whole lot of other thing, dafuq!

[GeoffD]

The minimum here is around $160/year. We’re way over that from watering all the landscaping.

[bostongymjunkie]

Originally Posted by Moh1988

Unrelated question to this conversation,,, what is the average water/sewer monthly bill for a 3bd home or apartment here in town? I'm pretty much paying an average of >200$ and I'm just curious if this is the norm here?

It's yet another infrastructure problem. The operational costs associated with maintaining ancient systems helps drive up costs. It's a statewide issue, although Boston itself has had relatively high water/sewer rates for quite some time.

[MtPleasantDream]

I think maintaining a big lawn (especially in the front yard) is an undesirable American tradition, probably rooted in the culture of animal husbandry.
If people can do more pavement or mulching, a lot of water can be saved.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by MtPleasantDream

I think maintaining a big lawn (especially in the front yard) is an undesirable American tradition, probably rooted in the culture of animal husbandry.
If people can do more pavement or mulching, a lot of water can be saved.

Kids play on big grassy lawns. If you don't have kids or don't let your kids play outside, sure, lawns make less sense. If you live in Arizona or California, there isn't enough water to keep them alive. East of the Mississippi? You should be able to keep a lawn if you want with minimal watering.

If you think lawns are an "undesirable American tradition, probably rooted in the culture of animal husbandry" I feel like you may not understand lawns enough to make a reasoned critique of those of us who do.

[MtPleasantDream]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

Kids play on big grassy lawns. If you don't have kids or don't let your kids play outside, sure, lawns make less sense. If you live in Arizona or California, there isn't enough water to keep them alive. East of the Mississippi? You should be able to keep a lawn if you want with minimal watering.

If you think lawns are an "undesirable American tradition, probably rooted in the culture of animal husbandry" I feel like you may not understand lawns enough to make a reasoned critique of those of us who do.

Kids don’t usually play a lot in the front yard anyway. The front yard is a showcase of a family.
It actually makes more sense to have a garden in the front instead of a lawn. When I drive through a neighborhood I’d like to see beautiful gardens one after another, not some mini golf courses.

(But a garden takes a lot of time too.)

[bostongymjunkie]

I think the front yard can make or break the overall appearance of the house. Houses with more setback look markedly different than those right on the street. Maintained lawn area with some borders, flowers and shrubbery can enhance the appearance of the home. Unless it was a very elaborate garden I would think this could detract from the appearance.