Since 1999, my quest to find the "perfect" house in a bustling city has been a relentless journey. Along the way, I’ve learned that the mythical perfect house doesn’t truly exist. Instead, there are homes that are good enough or nearly perfect, always missing that one or two crucial elements.
As life stages change, so does the definition of an ideal home. For a single person, a cozy one-bedroom apartment might be perfect, but for a couple, a two-bedroom home with a view is more desirable. Throw kids into the mix, and the requirements shift even further.
As a parent now raising children in the urban jungle, I’ve come to appreciate the many facets that shape what might be considered the ultimate home. No other physical asset can match the joy of finding a great house for your family. Not a sleek car or a rare timepiece, not even a golden statue on your alma mater’s lawn, can elicit the same feeling. Once you discover that house, all your hard work feels justified, motivating you to keep pushing forward in life.
My Evolving Vision of the Perfect Urban Home
In big cities, land, living space, and privacy are luxuries. Early on, my budget didn’t allow for these luxuries. While living in Manhattan, my high school buddy and I shared a tiny 360-square-foot studio apartment. Space, privacy, and a yard were nonexistent, but it didn’t matter; work consumed 70 hours of my week. Back then, the perfect house was simply the cheapest living option.
A few years later, I fantasized about owning a $10 million brownstone on the Upper West Side, a dream that was unattainable for all but the wealthiest. Now, decades later, the idea of climbing up and down the steep steps of a multi-level brownstone seems impractical, especially with kids whose safety and play space are paramount.
Although raising my family in a deluxe $14 million brownstone with seven bedrooms sounds appealing on paper, it’s far from my current ideal. High price tags, closely packed neighbors, and cramped backyards just don’t make the cut.
The Ever-Changing Perfect House
In 2003, my dream home was a two-bedroom condo with a balcony overlooking a park, acquired at what I thought was a bargain price. Living with my girlfriend at the time, the place felt perfect. In 2005, the dream evolved into a spacious three-bedroom single-family home, featuring a little garden and space for potential family growth. But life threw a curveball—our family didn’t expand as expected, making the house feel too large. Renting out part of it generated some passive income, slightly balancing the sense of waste.
After selling our oversized home for a profit and reinvesting, we downsized to a more manageable, cost-effective house with ocean views. Over a year, we remodeled it to fit our needs perfectly, adding an extra bedroom, an office, a deck, and a luxurious master bathroom. This house was our sanctuary, ideal for us or raising a single child.
Customizing Through Remodeling
Owning a home too big for our needs pointed us towards a smaller, more practical space. A well-executed remodel allowed us to tailor our home beautifully. We transformed a ground-floor space into a main bedroom and office, creating a fantastic deck that brought in more light and expanded our living area. Safety was paramount; we ensured the deck’s railing was childproof, preventing any accidental falls.
This remodeled home felt perfect for about three years. However, expecting a second child nudged us towards more space. Finally, we found a nearby house with an extra floor and began another remodeling journey, enhancing it to meet our evolving needs.
Views and Usable Land: The New Metrics
Our vision for the perfect house now includes both stunning views and usable land. While a view can be mentally rejuvenating, it’s challenging to find one with ample flat space for kids to play safely. An ideal lot is both scenic and functional, a rare and expensive combination. A home with an enclosed lot adds a layer of safety and privacy, crucial for families with young children.
The Appeal of One-Story Living
Ranch-style, single-story homes are gems, offering easy communication and mobility without the hassle of stairs. These homes often sit on larger lots, providing the perfect playground for kids and pets. Despite their rarity and high demand, single-story homes represent the archetype of suburban tranquility in an urban setting.
Multi-Story Homes: A Balance of Space and Privacy
For families, especially those with parents working from home, multi-story homes offer essential privacy and soundproofing. Separate floors can create distinct zones for different activities, making life more manageable and organized.
Ideal Square Footage Per Person
When determining the right house size, consider the square footage that provides enough space without sacrificing family closeness. For singles, 500 square feet per person seemed adequate, but with children, this ideal space expands to 800-1,200 square feet. It’s a balance of giving everyone room to breathe without creating unnecessary, unused spaces.
Must-Have Features: En Suite Bathrooms and Bidets
En suite bathrooms for each bedroom are a non-negotiable feature in the perfect house. They eliminate the awkwardness and inconvenience of shared bathrooms. High-quality bidets, like those from Toto, enhance the bathroom experience, making personal hygiene more efficient and comfortable.
Location: The Cherry on Top
A house in a quiet, high-demand neighborhood tops the list. Noise pollution can disrupt peace and sleep, making quiet streets or homes in gated communities highly desirable. Spending time in a potential neighborhood at different times of the day can give invaluable insights into the noise levels and overall ambiance.
Affordability: The Ultimate Comfort
The perfect house must feel affordable. Financial strain can turn a dream home into a burden. A more affordable, fixer-upper home can become perfect as you remodel it over time, accommodating your needs and tastes.
Key Takeaways
- Perfection Is Relative: The perfect house is elusive and changes as your life evolves.
- Affordability: A manageable mortgage ensures your home feels like a sanctuary rather than a burden.
- Future-Proofing: Consider a slightly larger home if you plan to expand your family.
- Upgrade Potential: Your starter home can become your dream home with renovations.
- Lot and Views: Homes with both spacious lots and beautiful views are rare gems.
- Space Per Person: Balance between cozy and spacious, gauging by your household’s needs.
- Multi-Story Benefits: Multiple floors provide better sound management and privacy.
- Proactive Planning: Sometimes, reaching out to current homeowners can give you early access to a potential perfect home.
- Generational Investment: Keeping the perfect home can benefit future generations.
Final Thoughts
Owning a beautifully tailored primary residence is incredibly rewarding. The journey to find and mold the perfect house involves flexibility, patience, and continuous adaptation to life’s changes. Once you find it, you’ll know.
What does your perfect house look like in a bustling city? How much living space do you think is ideal for each household member? Have you found a home with a large usable lot and views? What are other must-have features that make a house perfect for you?
Invest in Real Estate for Long-Term Gains
Consider investing in real estate through platforms like Fundrise, which offers diversified funds focused on the Sunbelt region. Fundrise manages significant assets for numerous investors, leveraging demographic shifts towards more affordable areas.
Remember, investing in real estate doesn’t just mean finding your dream home. It can also be a lucrative financial strategy for your future.
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