Anyone live in a townhouse?

[purbeast0]

my wife and I are currently house hunting (first time home buyers) and we really liked this townhouse we saw yesterday. it's very spacious, especially for the area we're looking to purchase, and it is very well maintained. it has an extremely open floor plan, a large kitchen, large master bedroom with walk in closet and bathroom in it, 3 total bedrooms. most of these are things my wife and I really want. it is in a quiet dead end street, and the backyard faces nature with no one living behind us.

the thing i'm wondering mostly about is that this is not an end unit, so we would have neighbors on the sides of us. the townhouses are 3 stories, and the bedrooms in ours is on the 3rd floor. i'm assuming that the others are as well.

my main concern is that i really want to have a nice theatre setup with some good surround sound. this would be going in the basement for sure. if we do pursue this house, i plan on knocking on the neighbors doors and simply telling them we're interested in purchasing the home next to them and we're just wondering how the sound output is for them with other neighbors.

so that is my only concern really.

those of you that live in townhomes ... is there anything you wish you knew before you moved into one? is there anything that you don't like about it that you regret purchasing it? how is the sound from the neighbors? (i realize that will vary house to house) is there stuff about it that you like over a detached home?

 

[her209]

Home theater system with neighbors on both sides of you. This will not end well.

 

[Pheran]

I live in a townhouse that is a lot like you describe - 3 stories, 3 bedrooms. It's not an end unit either (we are next to the end unit). We don't have much of a problem with noise; in our complex the walls between units are concrete firewalls behind drywall. If you can find out anything about the structure of the dividing walls, it might tell you what to expect. I have a substantial home theater system and I did manage to annoy one of our neighbors a few times years ago by cranking it up, but I just keep the volume moderate now and we are fine. You never hear anything through our walls unless someone is doing some hammering or something. However, if you are dead set on watching your movies really LOUD, I would not recommend a townhome.

For the most part I really love our townhome, but it helps that we really love our neighbors in the end unit (they are like adoptive grandparents for our daughter). I'm very happy about not having to do any yardwork or exterior work on our unit. Be aware that you do need to get approval from your condo association to make any exterior changes to the home (new windows, doors, etc.). As in any location, the quality of your experience will vary based on the quality of your neighbors, and, to a lesser extent, the quality of your condo association.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've lived in townhouses twice. End Unit and Free Standing.

End Unit - double walled, never could hear a thing from the other unit and vice-versa.

Additional pluses of an end unit will be additional windows(light and air circulation) and space(side of unit) but I assume, during the winter, heating needs are reduced if you're in a middle townhouse unit.

Big item, you need to do your research on is on the Association(rules/regulations, fees and how well it's run and funded).

 

[Cal166]

Just don't be an idiot and put your sub-woofer directly on the floor and have your whole place shake.

 

[Scouzer]

Home theater system with neighbors on both sides of you. This will not end well.

Nope. Don't do it. If you are set on a home theatre, you will have to get a detached house. End of story.

 

[evident]

im in a middle townhouse unit. it's fine as far as noise. make sure your neighbors aren't jerks, because you may share a driveway with them and stuff. luckily, both my neighbors are as ideal of neighbors you could wish for

 

[Alienwho]

You just shouldn't really plan on getting into home theater if you buy a town house.

 

[mnewsham]

live in a townhouse, we have two home theaters set up, one in my room, one in the living room. Our neighbors are an 80 year old on the right, and a 45 year old and her boyfriend on the left. When these were built they were built with double firewalls, unless you take a hammer to the wall and really go at it, or listen really close at the vents in the bathroom (can sometimes here murmuring) then you should be fine. From what I understand though double firewalls weren't standard practice in the 70's (when the house was built) so it really just depends, never had a noise complaint though in 5 years.

 

[purbeast0]

well I know the basement walls have cinderblocks that are painted right now as the wall, and the guy showing us the tour said there was a firewall behind it.

and i don't plan on getting a $25k home theatre system or anything like that. but a good 7.1 setup was something i've wanted if we get a house.

i definitely will do the research to find out a little bit more about the house as far as what the walls are made of, and would like to meet the neighbors first as well.

 

[mnewsham]

well I know the basement walls have cinderblocks that are painted right now as the wall, and the guy showing us the tour said there was a firewall behind it.

and i don't plan on getting a $25k home theatre system or anything like that. but a good 7.1 setup was something i've wanted if we get a house.

i definitely will do the research to find out a little bit more about the house as far as what the walls are made of, and would like to meet the neighbors first as well.

we let our neighbors know that after 10Pm if there was too much noise just to come let us know and we would keep it down. Still haven't had them come over and ask us to keep it down, so i guess they dont mind or dont hear.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

been in one since 2007. biggest problem by far is the one-car garage. 2-car just wasn't in our price range in the area we wanted when we bought. as far as noise, hasnt really been a problem. the newest neighbors on one side seem to like their rap, so sometimes we'll get some thumps, but generally no more than 30min-hr, and not at night or anything. i have the same concerns about my theater. if we are watching anything past the evening, i just use the midnight equalizer or whatever, chop out most of the LFE and no one has complained. it has been hard not to really crank it up though

the other sucky part, is that at least in our neighborhood, theres no street parking either. have to go a couple blocks. there is usually enough, but it can be annoying for guests.

its definitely been a good home and was still the right decision for us, but my wife and i are definitely ready to upgrade. had only planned on this house being a 5-7 yr home anyway and that still might be true.

 

[roguerower]

Worst case is you either rip out the existing drywall and insulation and install some high STC rated insulation or you fur out the wall and install the same high STC insulation. The only problem with ripping out the existing drywall is that the wall separating your townhouses is fire rated so you'll have to use Type X rated rock and make sure all the joints are fire-taped or fire-caulked.

Furing out w/ 2x4s and installing 2 layers of Johns Manville (or similar manufacturer) sound rated unfaced batt insulation will yield a pretty quiet room. You'll just have to keep the bass down.

 

[purbeast0]

Worst case is you either rip out the existing drywall and insulation and install some high STC rated insulation or you fur out the wall and install the same high STC insulation. The only problem with ripping out the existing drywall is that the wall separating your townhouses is fire rated so you'll have to use Type X rated rock and make sure all the joints are fire-taped or fire-caulked.

Furing out w/ 2x4s and installing 2 layers of Johns Manville (or similar manufacturer) sound rated unfaced batt insulation will yield a pretty quiet room. You'll just have to keep the bass down.

there is no drywall in the basement where this would be going. it was cinderblock walls that were visible.

 

[Born2bwire]

Only thing I would note is, as already been said, take a look at the Association. I lived with my grandmother for a time when I was in the area for work and I can never recall any noise problems. But the one thing she did mention was that her association fees have steadily increased over the years. I think at the moment it's over $200 a month (probably 4-5 times what they started at.). We have no idea what the hell they do with all that money but it can become a burden for the likes of her on a fixed income.

 

[blackdogdeek]

just out of curiosity, why not a house?

 

[mnewsham]

just out of curiosity, why not a house?

costs more....

 

[purbeast0]

Only thing I would note is, as already been said, take a look at the Association. I lived with my grandmother for a time when I was in the area for work and I can never recall any noise problems. But the one thing she did mention was that her association fees have steadily increased over the years. I think at the moment it's over $200 a month (probably 4-5 times what they started at.). We have no idea what the hell they do with all that money but it can become a burden for the likes of her on a fixed income.

yah the fees are $200, and it said it includes the pool, parking, lawn maintenance, trash, some other stuff, and "more" ... not sure what the more is but I'm going to contact the selling agent and find out.

just out of curiosity, why not a house?

we have looked at houses, and one we really liked went pending before we could put a bid in on it. other than that, we haven't really seen a house that we both really liked other than this one, in the price range and location we want. we've looked at probably 8 stand alone houses, 2 townhouses, and 2 condos. we definitely don't want a condo though.

at this point in our life we want to pay for location and don't want to move much further out than we already are. the houses in the same price range are like 1600sqft compared to this townhouse that is 2300sqft. based on what we've seen too, we don't think this townhouse will be on the market quickly. it is move in ready, which is something we really want as well.

 

[her209]

luckily, both my neighbors are as ideal of neighbors you could wish for

Hot bisexual women that invite you over to be the M in the FFM?

 

[Aikouka]

I live in a townhouse apartment, and I prefer it over a normal apartment. I do live on an end, which is usually something I specifically look for. Albeit, it's probably easier to find in an apartment given apartments have a higher "turnover rate" (not sure that term applies to houses, but I'll use it anyway ).

I don't think I've ever heard my neighbor, and I asked him once if I was ever too loud with my home theater setup or anything like that. He told me it was fine and was actually worried that he was possibly too loud sometimes! I'm usually pretty good about keeping the volume down though.

 

[SandEagle]

there is no drywall in the basement where this would be going. it was cinderblock walls that were visible.

even better. are you allowed to build a wall and insulate it yourself? there is insulation available specifically for sound proofing. i've done this type of work before, not so bad....just time consumi.g

 

[purbeast0]

even better. are you allowed to build a wall and insulate it yourself? there is insulation available specifically for sound proofing. i've done this type of work before, not so bad....just time consumi.g

i'd think so but something I would have to find out.

one thing is that this won't be an all enclosed room. the TV (and speakers) will be going against a wall that is facing one of the neighbors. and then on one side of where we sit is a set of french doors that goes outside onto the patio. would having those doors there make it less insulated and more noise escape in this instance?

but again, I'm not looking to BLAST shit 24/7 heh. i just want to be able to watch movies at night time and not worry about it being too loud, but also enjoy a nice surround sound. and yea i realize that there is absolutely no way on here to tell me if it will or wont be too loud to the neighbors, so im just trying to hear other people's experiences.

 

[purbeast0]

well I emailed the agent representing the seller, and she doesn't know exactly what the walls are made of, but she did say that there is a firewall between the two houses. so i'm guessing in the basement it is cinderblock, firewall (which i don't even know exactly what that is), and then cinderblocks on the other side. and maybe the otherside has some type of drywall put up but I really don't know.

but the house was bulit in 1968 she said if that gives any indication. she is claiming that houses back then were built better than they are now so it's solid lol. but of course she's trying to sell it as well.

 

[the DRIZZLE]

It depends as much on your neighbors and how much you plan on using it as it does on the sound proofing. I have a big sub but my TV is only on a few hours a week. I told my neighbor to let me know if it gets too loud.

 

[MrChad]

I live in a townhouse that's not an end unit. We rarely hear our neighbors, although I can sometimes faintly hear their home theater. We have a modest HT setup but we generally don't crank it up too loudly and we've never had complaints. I wouldn't plan on an SVS sub setup, but otherwise I wouldn't worry too much about the noise levels.