With the Cottage in the Woods no longer in contention, we turned our attention to another house we toured: a charming Cape Cod-style home that sits within walking distance of local shops. The location was new to us, so we approached it with a bit of skepticism, but we were curious to see whether its subtle city-like vibe might revive the part of us that once loved living in New York City and being able to walk to errands and amenities. We went to take a look, and here it is in its slightly doctored-photo glory (we’re being careful with photos out of respect to the sellers):

THE STATS:

• Age: 1945
• House size: 2,001 square feet
• Lot size: 0.25 acres
• Bedrooms: 3
• Bathrooms: 2

THE PROS:

• Cute, friendly, walkable neighborhood — we could even walk to Target
• County schools and taxes, but with a city-like feel
• Charming older home that definitely needs work, offering renovation potential
• Gorgeous hardwood floors throughout the interior

THE CONS:

• Price per square foot was higher than other houses we viewed
• Floor plan felt chopped up and closed in rather than open and flowing
• Main bedroom on the first floor while the other bedrooms are upstairs — we prefer bedrooms on the same level
• No central air conditioning
• Not very close to our family

Once we stepped inside, the house didn’t give us the same unmistakable “this is it” gut reaction that we experienced when we bought our current home. Still, the visit was valuable: it helped us confirm that we like the idea of living in a neighborhood with a walkable, community-oriented vibe, even if this particular property wasn’t the perfect fit. The exterior charm and the mature hardwood floors were definite highlights, and the house’s older bones suggested renovation possibilities if the layout could be opened up.

That said, a few practical concerns stood out. The higher price per square foot made this Cape Cod less competitive compared to other options we’ve considered. The interior felt compartmentalized — rooms were somewhat separated rather than connected in a way that suits modern family life. We’d prefer all the bedrooms on the same level for easier daily flow, and the lack of central air is a notable downside for summer comfort and for buyers who plan to update systems. Finally, the distance from family members mattered to us; proximity to support and visits is important in our decision-making.

Despite those drawbacks, the neighborhood itself was appealing. It felt friendly and walkable, with small conveniences close by, and the thought of living somewhere that blends a quieter suburban pace with easy access to shops is attractive. That’s one of the reasons we’re keeping our eyes open to other two-level houses in Bon Air as well — we don’t want to limit ourselves to ranch-style homes. Exploring a variety of house types will help us refine our priorities and find a property that balances layout, location, and renovation potential. We’re especially curious to see more homes that could be adapted to create a more open plan while preserving character elements like original hardwood floors.

In the end, this Cape Cod showed us what’s important: a neighborhood we enjoy, a layout that works for our lifestyle, and a price that makes sense relative to condition and location. It wasn’t the one, but touring it helped sharpen our sense of what we want. On to the next showing — we’re excited to keep narrowing the search and to see what other properties in Bon Air and nearby areas might offer the right mix of charm, functionality, and convenience.

Altered exterior photo taken by us and edited thanks to our friend Photoshop.

Psst—Want to see the coolest nursery we’ve seen in a while? Check out this week’s BabyCenter post right here for a Nursery Crashing adventure.