Chapter 4 Choosing a Place to Live Housing Decisions By Evelyn Lewis & Carolyn Turner

Location

When choosing a place to live, you will need to carefully consider the following: Region or area of the world, country or state. Community-country, suburb, or city Neighborhood or section of the community Composition of the population Site or lot within the neighborhood

Region A region is a specific part of the world, country, or state in which your live. Houston

Community A region is divided into communities. A community may be a large city, small village, or rural area. Cities are high-density areas where many people live together.

Rural areas & the outskirts of towns and cities are low-density areas. Some communities are for specific groups (i.e.: retirement communities) Some are developed by businesses for employees and their families.

Neighborhood Regions = communities Communities = neighborhood A neighborhood consists of a group of houses and people. The buildings in a neighborhood are normally similar in age, design, and cost.

Physical Neighborhood Physical neighborhood is determined by the way the land and building are used. Some neighborhood are residential (houses), commercial (shopping, stores, businesses), industrial (factories, warehouses and plants).

Zoning Regulations & Other Zoning regulations control land use in certain areas. Housing developers subdivide land and making improvements such as streets and street lighting before building structures. They set limits called restrictions.

Planned neighborhood is usually in a zoned area with restrictions. In a planned neighborhood, the size and layout of individual lots are determined before dwellings are built. All houses must fit into the overall plan. Construction & types of design are sometimes controlled.

Many planned neighborhoods include recreational facilities. Parks & playgrounds are built in locations that are convenient to the people living in the neighborhood. Clubhouses are built for meetings/social activities.

Planned Neighborhood

Population Composition Type of people in any neighborhood may be quite varied = heterogeneous. If the residence are very similar to each other, the neighborhood is = homogeneous.

Site A location within a neighborhood is called a site, or lot. A site is the piece of land on which the dwelling is built. Each site has its own character (size, shape, contour, soil type).

Natural Restraints Natural restraints are those that come from nature. Topography is the configuration of a surface including its natural and manufactured features showing their relative positions and elevations.

Topography

Landscaping is altering the topography and adding decorative plantings to change the appearance of a site. Orientation is placing a structure on a site in consideration of the location of the sun, prevailing winds, water sources, and scenic view.

Space Planning & Zoning 18

Public Zone Is the part of the site that can be seen from the street or road. It is usually in front of the house.

Service Zone The part of the site that is used for necessary activities. Like: sidewalks, driveways, and storage (trash cans, lawn equipment, firewood, & cars). Many, have this area screened from view and should be directly connected to the indoor service areas (i.e.: kitchen /laundry area)

Private Zone This is the part of the site hidden from public view. It has space for recreation and relaxation. Can be separated by using shrubs, hedges, screens, fences and/or walls.

Types of Housing

Multifamily Houses Multifamily house is a structure that provides housing for more than one household. Examples: a. High rise apartments b. Low rise apartment c. Triplex apartment (3 households) d. Duplex apartment (2 households)

Rentals Vary in number and type of facility. Amenities (laundry, appliances, tennis, swimming). Examples: a. Penthouse…top of apartment building b. Garden Apt… one story with landscape c. Efficiency Apt…one main room, kitchen, and bathroom

Condominium Ownership where the buyer owns individual living space and also owns an undivided interest in the common areas and facilities of the multiunit project.

Designed to house one family. Can be rented or owned. Single Family Home Designed to house one family. Can be rented or owned.

Townhomes / Row House Have at least two floors. Attached by a common wall.

Freestanding House Not connected to another unit.

Contractor is a person who contracts, or agrees, to supply certain materials or do certain work for a special fee.

Factory Built House…Constructed in a plant and moved to a site. Modular Housing…coordinated in a series of modules. Manufactured Housing…built in a factory.

Moving to a New Home

Changes in lifestyle, occupation, socioeconomic status, or other life situations also cause people to move. Relocating family and possessions is likely to cause stress. Get rid of items you don’t need/want. Have a garage sale, recycle, or donate to a charity (good for tax deduction). Use the moving checklist.

Moving Yourself There are many good reasons for tackling the job yourself. First the cost is about one-third that of a professional mover. Second, you can move on your own schedule. Third, you & your goods arrive at the same time.

Plan ahead. Estimate the amount of items to be moved. This helps choose the correct truck. Have on hand, furniture pads, dollies or moving cartons.

Hiring a Moving Company Choose only licensed movers and obtain at least three written estimates to compare. Ask them about insurance. Read the fine print. Ask about additional cost. Ask about discount moves and nonpeak moving time.

How much packing will you do, if any. Cost of packing boxes and the service of packing & unpacking are not included in the actual moving expenses. Make sure the dwelling is clean and ready for occupancy. Decide how you want the furniture to be arranged & supervise. Check for damages. Bill of landing, the receipt of goods shipped.

Assignments Chapter Notes Flash Cards for Types of Houses SAG: Activity E “Choices”, pg. 35 Homework Due: ___________________________ SAG: Activity B “Evaluating a Place to Live”, pg. 31