With the Cottage In the Woods no longer under consideration, we shifted our focus to another property we toured: a charming Cape Cod-style home located within walking distance of shops. We approached this one with a little hesitation since it was in a neighborhood entirely new to us, but its subtle urban feel appealed to the part of us that once loved living in New York City and being able to walk to errands. We decided to see it in person, and below are our impressions from that visit. We’re keeping photography minimal out of respect for the sellers, so the few images you may encounter have been lightly edited.

THE STATS:

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

THE PROS:

• Friendly, walkable neighborhood with everyday conveniences close by (we could even walk to Target).
• Appears to offer the benefits of county schools and taxes while still giving a city-like vibe.
• Characterful, older home with plenty of opportunity for updates and personalization.
• Beautiful hardwood floors throughout, which give the interior a cohesive, warm foundation.

THE CONS:

• Price per square foot was higher than many of the other homes we viewed, making it a less competitive value on paper.
• The interior layout felt fragmented and somewhat closed off, which reduced the sense of open flow we prefer.
• The primary bedroom is on the first floor while the additional bedrooms are on the second; we generally prefer having all bedrooms on the same level.
• There is no central air conditioning, which would be an added expense to install and is something we’d need for long-term comfort.
• It’s not particularly close to our family, and proximity to loved ones is an important consideration for us.

When we toured the house we didn’t experience the immediate, unmistakable “this is the one” feeling that we felt when buying our current home. That strong gut reaction is something we’re waiting for again, so although this Cape Cod was attractive in many ways, it ultimately didn’t feel like the right fit. Still, the visit was valuable. It confirmed that we do like this type of neighborhood and that a walkable location can bring back some of the conveniences and lifestyle we once enjoyed in the city.

Despite its charming exterior and appealing hardwood floors, the combination of higher price, the divided layout, and greater distance from family were significant factors in our decision to keep looking. We did come away curious about exploring more two-level homes in the Bon Air area to broaden our options beyond single-level ranch properties. Bon Air continues to look promising for our needs, and we plan to view additional houses there so we can compare layouts, condition, and value across similar neighborhoods.

In short, this Cape Cod-style house was pleasant and had a number of attractive qualities, but it wasn’t quite right for us. It’s the kind of property that could be ideal for a different buyer—someone who prioritizes walkability, character, and being in a friendly neighborhood over bedroom-level layout or proximity to family. For now, we’ll keep touring and trusting that gut feeling when it appears again.

Exterior photo altered by us and edited with the help of Photoshop.

Psst—Want to see an especially beautiful nursery we recently admired? Check out this week’s BabyCenter post for a Nursery Crashing feature. See the nursery here.