Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
Trust me on this, you will use your backyard way less if you live in a walk-out. A standard house usually has a very accessible backyard. With a walk-out, you will be carrying your shoes through the basement (and asking your friends to do the same) to access the yard. If your barbecue is on the deck, that's one story up. It really separates you from the action in the yard if you are up there manning the grill.
You can build a giant staircase down from your deck, but that is expensive, takes up space, and again is a slight deterrent to just walking out and enjoying your yard. Plus if you're entertaining/eating/drinking in the backyard, the kitchen is a long way away.
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Very good advice here. We lived in a walk out that we loved
before kids, mainly because of the deck that was up high and great for hosting backyard BBQs.
Once we had kids, we hated that we couldn't see them in the backyard from the house. We ended up moving 2 blocks away to a house that had backyard on the main level and a developed basement (perfect play room / office / home theatre space). The wife loves being able to watch the kids play in the back yard while in the kitchen.
For us, the walkout actually had a bigger garage which I sacrificed in the move, and it is one thing I miss. It was also a corner lot which I miss (despite the cursed shoveling) because of the parking space that was available when we had guests.
If it were me, I would take the 3 car garage and then make sure you get the basement finished nicely.