[quote=earlyretirement] … Once I’m older and fully retired, I won’t want a big yard. Big lot isn’t something that will be important to me once the kids leave the house. Yeah, it’s nice now for my little ones to play in the yard but I won’t care about that once I’m older and kids out of the nest.[/quote]
ER, I only mentioned 7,000+ sf lots because older fixers priced for rentals in SD’s best ‘hoods are typically WWII boxes or ’50’s “ranchettes” situated on larger-than-average lots. In order to obtain permitting to expand the footprint (at the time of your retirement) in the choicest “ocean view” streets, for example, you may very well be limited in HOW or IF you can actually add a second story, due to adjoining neighbors’ overhead easements and also current (but likely gone before YOU retire) overhead utility easements. The only way to add sf to this (commonly 1100-1500 sf) type of home is to expand the footprint. To do this, you need a lot with the proper setback and at least four feet to spare on either side and in the back. A sub-6000 sf lot is usually not big enough.
I’m with you. I don’t want a large lot to take care of when I retire, either (unless I’m living on the edge of a National forest where someone else is in charge of that, LOL) :=]
