Is this really a "must have"? Well, it's definitely a huge want. Some sort of outdoor area that is enclosed and safe for the little one. My thought is that we want him to be able to get outside in the sunshine and play while not necessarily having to drive him to the park or some other place.
It's really for all of us. She wants "indoor/outdoor living" which we saw in 44 Chester Way, and a backyard would give us that. We could have an outdoor dining set and enjoy the weather, one of the selling points of living in San Mateo instead of San Francisco. I could also barbeque for us which give us a little more variety in our meals and maybe make entertaining easier.
I remember also when she and the little one visited her parents, one of the activities they enjoyed was just setting up a tent in their yard and hanging out there. Another way to engage the little guy with a different experience!
So, being able to go outside and enjoy the weather without getting all dressed up and driving somewhere, a safe place for the little guy to get some fresh air and sun, and another way to enjoy one of the major advantages of where we live - that's why I want a yard!
A single family home with a yard would definitely provide flexibility and convenience for family activities. Many people find the upkeep not only well worth the investment, but enjoyable as well.
ReplyDeleteBack yards are huge. They make everyday fun,and activities a normal daily part of life. It doesn't require an,outing to a park an inconvenience, not that doing that is bad but it just makes a home feel more like a home and fun things can be done without leaving.
ReplyDeleteAll the points that Joel makes above are 100% legit. However, some clarification is in order:
ReplyDelete1) We can enjoy my parents' yard because they are the ones taking care of it, not me. I wouldn't want their yard if I had to take care of it.
2) Having to drive to parks and other facilities does force us to get out more, take advantage of all that the city has to offer, and engage with the community -- something we didn't do nearly as much before. So far, we've had a lot of interesting and fun experiences as a family.
3) I am very okay with having a yard as long as I am not the one taking care of it or managing the vendors who will. That includes not having to be home when they are there. Also, with a yard comes a house. As long as Joel agrees to handle all the repairs and maintenance, I am good with it.
4) Since Joel didn't grow up in a single-family home, I would ask that he a) read the article below in its entirety, and b) talk to at least 2-3 homeowners in our area about their experience maintaining their homes and yards before we buy a house - not after. I myself grew up in two different houses and feel that it's a lot of work, work that never ends.
https://www.northamerican.com/blog/view/all-blogs/2017/04/21/first-time-caring-for-a-yard-everything-a-new-homeowner-needs-to-know-about-lawn-care
ReplyDeleteA yard is a nice feature, no doubt. You could put in a garden, have a place for a pet and for kids to play and be rambunctious. Again, it would require a lot of maintenance, too, from putting in a sprinker system (you would be surprised at your water bill) and a lot of planning and keeping the plants alive. We lived in a townhouse in Center City, Philadelphia (fantastic location), with just a small balcony with a sandbox for the kids to play in; we were happy as can be with that, too. Our place here had a large and largely undeveloped garden area (it was mostly hardscape) it was a huge investment of time in learning about what plants can grow in the shade v. the sun, and can grow in this area. Trees are surprisingly expensive to maintain, and can be very messy. Lots of plusses in having a yard, lots of headaches, too. And you have to deal with neighbors and shared fences, too (we are in this situation right now) so it depends what you're into.
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