Most American cities have both apts and single family homes. True. I can only speak for myself: In Boston area, core Boston/Cambridge/etc. have single family houses, but they are unaffordable (even for someone in upper-mid earnings level) and/or tiny/packed micro lots where you are can clink glasses over window with the neighbor. ;) In our suburb (no T, no light rail, once-half-hour-no-Sundays bus to T), the lots are acceptable and prices are manageable.
I'd live in townhouse community without a problem if it had some nice green space and parking.
I also hate city-street driving. My current place is 2 minutes to freeway, yet almost zero noise, so it fits me very well. :) 11 miles to Boston center, 16 minutes with no traffic. There are places that are somewhat affordable, still OKish in terms of lot size, and somewhat closer to center, but not many.
Clearly, in some cities, you can get much more, cheaper and closer to center. :)
I do agree that cultural amenities (restaurants, cough, cough ;))) of the centers are attractive. |
