We are thinking of buying a brand new townhouse.
They have some they are building in our price range plus the builder is giving 3000 towards closing costs! I am wondering how it is to live in one. Is is noisy or are the newer ones made well enough so that you really dont hear your neighbors alot. It will have 3 bedrooms. The master is large but the kids roms will be a little small but not bad. The living room is a
nice size and we would have a dining room and kitchen ( not an eat in) It will also have a full basement. Its not finished and they can do that for you but they charge an extra 9 thousand so we would just wait and maybe do it ourselves in a few years. You get to pick your carpet, countertops and flooring and cabinets. They have some other extra stuff you can get like a fireplace but once again that would be alot more $$. Just wondering if you live in on if you like it. At least with a new home no one can outbid you or get to it before you even get a chance to bid.

By Debbie on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 07:40 pm:

I have never lived in a townhome, but my parents have. Theirs was just attached on one side. It was attached on the kitchen side, so there really wasn't any noise from the neighbors. Unfortunately, I think it just depends on what kind of neighbors you get. However, I guess it is the same with a house.

By Kellyj on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 08:56 pm:

I have lived in two different townhouses. In college we rented one and it was a newer development. It was nice but it was made for renters. You could hear the people next door and could smell their cooking.
I live in one now that is older (1970s). We love it here. We rarely hear anything from either neighbor, but since they are both older they don't make much noise. It is nice not to have to deal with the lawn or snow removal. Also, any outdoor repairs to roof, siding etc are covered by the monthly dues to the homeowner's association.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 10:43 pm:

We live in one now. We never hear our neighbors on one side but the side our living room is on we can hear everytime someone goes upstairs. IMO I wouldnt buy one due to those facts and the fact that I imagine myself with a big, grassy backyard and neighbors spread a bit more apart than your typical CA home.

Good Luck with your search!

By Bobbie on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 10:59 pm:

I honestly think it depends on what type of housing it is. Meaning is it all owners or all renters. We rented a town home surrounded by owners and it was quiet and very well kept. We rented one surrounded by renters and the place went down hill fast. In the nicer place when you were inside you almost forgot you were in an town house. It had no more noise than we deal with now. I think if it is the way you want to go, go for it. DH and I are hoping to move in the next couple of years. And that would be one of our options too.

By Emily7 on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 11:51 pm:

We lived in one that the garage, 1 bedroom , & basement we connected. It wasn't bad at all. Better that an apartment!!!!!

By Ladypeacek on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 01:54 am:

We live in one also and i have yet to hear the neighbors at all, and they have 5 kids so the walls muct be very thick, lol! I think it depends alot too on how old the townhouse is and what is built from. Ours is brick and fairly new so i think that plays a big part. Good Luck!!

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 01:58 am:

We live in a 4 plex, but are on the end so we only have one neighbor. They are teenagers, so blast there music, but other than that it is pretty quiet. I have 2 bedrooms upstairs, and a bath, that's where the kids are. Downstairs is one bedroom (ours) a bath, kitchen/dining, and living room. I like it better than apartments I've lived in, but it's not designed very logically. (It's just an odd layout here) HTH!!!

By Kittycat_26 on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 08:11 am:

We've lived in our townhouse for two years now and just love it. We have neighbors who have kids and neighbors who don't have kids. Yes, I do hear the kids once in a while but then I am sure that they hear us once in a while too. But for us it is just perfect. Neither my husband nor I are big "yard" people and don't want to have the upkeep. What we have now is just enough to plant a few flowers and mow a little grass.

I'd look into another one if we ever moved.

Oh BTW, ours was built in 1978 so it is older and I still think the insulation for noise is really pretty good.

By Trisa on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 01:49 pm:

Thanks all. I am excited that we are going to look at one that is already built this weekend.
I dont mind a small yard for the fact that I have friends who have a HUGE yard and the taxes are 3000 a year! Plus my hubby is not home much to care for a yard. All the other homes that are for sale are at or near the same price and Im talking duplexes and they are not new and still have a small yard. Its so scary to buy a house. I have done the math a million times to make sure we can do this. I added up all our bills plus food and gas and even how much I spend a month for lunch money! I dont want to get in over our heads. I did see a duplex in the new listing today. It is only 99,000 it was a little smaller plus it has no basement and it also had a small yard. I dont know if I would want to not have a basement. Oh yea is also has electric heat and this townhouse has gas heat. So hard to decide what is right!!

By Laurazee on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 08:10 pm:

We have lived in one as well for about 5 years, and the building is about 25 years old. Have yet to hear any noise from neighbors (we're joined on one wall). Personally, I'd rather have a house just for the space, but we can't afford one yet, and I do like having a view of downtown, a 5 minute commute, and no yard to look after.

Is it a strata property? Our strata council is pretty good, and that's a major factor. Make sure your strata council is effective and ask to see the last 2 years of minutes before buying anything. That will give you an indication of the state of things, whether there are noise complaints, upcoming levies, etc.

By Laurazee on Thursday, May 6, 2004 - 08:12 pm:

Hmmm...guess if you're looking at a brand new one, you won't have a 2 year record of minutes. Never mind - well, you can always join the council in that case, and make sure it's well run.