Quote:
Originally Posted by bdurk
Honestly, after visiting Chicago I think I'd prefer one of those homes instead of a rowhome. For the most part, they seem to all have a garage and a backyard, with an alleyway as well. In my rowhome at Temple I don't get any outdoor space at all and I hate it.
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In the duplex I lived in, we only had a garage. Not as important for me because I didn't own a car and took the L everywhere, but I can see how that is important for others.
On our block, it was usually one or the other. Either you had a garage or you had a backyard. One of our neighbors even destroyed his backyard and poured concrete everywhere so that his tenants had parking (why they agreed to that is beyond me, it was a beautiful backyard).
Unfortunately, this has also led to the rat problem in Chicago. Since back alleys are constantly dirty, smelly, and trashy, and backyards have many places to hide, the rats there thrive. It's to the point that they've had to put signs up a-la spotted lanternfly.
Architecturally, both designs are rather pretty. I think Philly still wins out for me though.