DC.
Independent of the cost of the “dirt”, I must defend the housing stock — it’s simple but well-built, well-designed, and the last gentrification wave shows that it can be rebuilt to original specs at reasonable cost, leading to quite nice looking neighborhoods. Try that with 60’s dingbat apartments!
Actually I sort of agree. Remember I am also a contractor? I worked in the neighborhood a little and snooped out other peoples work and houses in general. I think it depends on the house and the contractor who did repairs and remodels. The houses were built in so many different eras and for widely different ranges of purchasing power for the respective times. In the $600k range you mention, and above, they should be pretty decent on both accounts. In the lower but still too high priced houses, like $350-$500k, it could really vary. Another side of the same coin is …how well does your house need to be built in an area of 75 degree mean temperatures almost year round?10 inches of average annual rainfall and very infrequent winds. The houses are light so they are pretty earthquake safe but certain foundation types are more vulnerable as are those nice antique fire places.
I also agree on the “cuteness” factor and the pukeness factor of the suburban type houses you mentioned.
