Beyond that
There is a small chance I could be applicable for one of eight new houses designed by a favorite architect of mine. They are designed and sold to low MFI (Mortgage to Family Income) buyers. Being that the wife is pregnant and I am the only bread winner at the moment, I could possibly fit in that category.
There are only eight, so my chances are low, but possible. Plus, we don't know if we want to leave our part of town.
Here is a photo of the project. It will be a neighborhood of about 30 something houses.
Shop until you are sure
Neighborhoods are Far more important than houses.
The best house in a bad neighborhood has no potential, whereas a bad house in a good neighborhood is a terrific opportunity.
We all take pride in our homes whether a rented apartment or a family homestead passed through the generations. Houses can always be improved and changed to suit your needs or tastes but the neighborhood is beyond your control.
I cannot begin to communicate nor quantify the importance and joy I experience in having good neighbors and feeling a sense of community.
Take your time and find a place you love.
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I think it looks lovely, a bit stark but once the trees grow it will improve. An architecturally consistent suburb allways feela a bit more harmonious.
I couldn't read the text very well but did it mention anything about regulations? It wouldn't be one of those fascist 'estates' where your front door has to be pantone 3457 or something?
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a couple of links on planned communities, overused
word but it'll do.
Letchworth Garden City versus Milton Keynes. I
don't think I could have found a worse picture of
the place, it just makes you want to curl up and
die.
Link to Port Sunlight.
Prince Charles and his Poundbury new village is
half admirable, I like the way its designed around pedestrians rather than the car but some of the
details like (I think)fake chimneys are a bit much.
I don't know of any in the US of interest, did
read about the Disney one...Celebration.
I think you might be on a winner if thats the way
they seem to be!
The only critisicm I'd really make of the one
Whitespike is keen on without actually seeing
it is that it might be architecturally too pure
to cope well with the normal detritus of people
lives, broken tricycles on the front lawn, that
sort of thing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Sunlight
Whitespike...
I think the...
Whitespike...
I think the homes, individually, are quite nice. Each having a variation of a consistent theme. The difficulty for me resides in the clumping of so many like homes, hence my institutional label (think college dormitories, corporate or Gov. housing). On the basis of community diversity and green qualities of this development, it should be built. It should pave the way to even more advancements in green housing. I could retract this view once the subdivision is built and given a chance to shine in reality.
I live in one of fastest growing communities in the US. Vast majority of these new sprawling subdivision are atrocious. Essentially disposable vinyl clad boxes. My neighborhood, built in the 1950's-1960's, is a healthy mix of MCM Eichler inspired styles, ranches, and red brick New England. This election, I'm voting change. Being in an O'Bama state worries me with the added political power he'll bring. Chicago's Olympic bid while nice, will add to the growing problems...it's getting overwhelming around here. You can see how this shapes what I consider good development.
I am really glad I didn't...
I am really glad I didn't jump on this first house. It looks like the modernist community is becoming a very possible solution for me. I got pre-approved already and things are looking good. I won't know 100% until next month.
For me, all the positives of this project outweigh any negatives it might have. I hope it works out.
I understand the institutional thing ... there are parts of me that love eclectic neighborhoods and part of me that fantasizes about an architecturally consistent neighborhood built with good taste. Both have their allure.
The allure here is that a very small part of this community is being used for affordable housing solutions. I would be hard pressed to afford a house in my market, much less a brand new modern home only 3 and half miles from downtown (designed by an architect I respect and have been following for 5+ years as well). It's completely turn key and I am neither handy or available to polish a turd of a house.
It looks like it's getting close to a sure thing, but there are always hiccups. If it happens it happens. It not, the good Lord has planned something else. Stay tuned!
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