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I have a 5 bedroom house for two of us now (DD is visiting sometimes), so I would gladly move to a condo, and forget about all the maintenance. Enjoy your care-free life, and don't bother with others' opinions. People will adjust their thoughts. Some will probably envy you later )
I think the stigma against condos is more the fees and rules you have to agree to. And I am fine with that. I don't need to see Johnny Rocket parking his 1991 Camaro on his overgrown lawn, and having parties into the late night smoking weed, blaring his radio, etc. I like maintained grounds and property values that will likely go up...or at least stay level....as opposed to bad neighborhoods that have lost 30% of their value over 10 years. I know this because I moved from one.
I would never assume that (condo as starter home). When I was in my 20s, several friends did get condos as starter homes. But I've also known many adults at every age who choose condo living for a variety of other reasons. It seems it's also a very popular choice once kids are out of the house and people want to downsize.
Starter homes, in my definition, are generally cheap and small. Condos can be any size and be in any price range. Seems most people in condos are empty nesters or couples without kids. Like my wife and I.
we've owned a townhouse, a condo, and a SFH. In my experience some people are just rather rude and clueless in their remarks about other people's homes, so try no to be overly sensitive about it and enjoy your condo. They might just assume you'll move soon like they plan to. It seems increasingly common people think nothing of buying property for a few years only to sell, it's as if transaction costs mean nothing to them?
We're retired and have chosen to live in upscale condos on the ocean or harbor for about 13-years. Because of the cost and location, these are rarely 'starter homes'; in fact, it is more common to find wealthy folks using condos as second or third homes, than to find 'starter' owners living in them.
We enjoy the privacy, location, lack of yard/maintenance work and freedom to 'lock the door and go' -- We've sold 2-3 condos at a profit and can see no reason to move back to a SFH.
'Starter homes?' -- I think not - somebody is either looking at converted apartments or ??? -- or doesn't really understand the market.
Moving to LA and I am thinking of buying a condo/town home, because of a lot of reason the OP stated and I have another home; but the HOA's are so expensive, it might be better to buy a home, get more privacy and equity..... I don't know..... literally <exhale>.
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