Yeah, I knew about the lack of basements. As I recall, it was because of the high water table. But the thing about the gas lines still puzzles me. I mean, I understand the explanation, but in my house the gas line may come in underground (where a slab would be) but it then goes around the foundation (where the foundation meets the frame of the house) for the exact reason mentioned - ease of access. No digging through concrete or crawling around rafters.
I have to say, right now, I *would* miss my basement. And that's even after losing half the stuff down there due to a burst heating pipe earlier this year. And my fiancee has her own batch of "stuff". I'm not the packrat I used to be - still recovering though
I certainly wouldn't mind getting rid of 90% of the stuff in my garage, though. I'll keep the electric lawnmower but #1 with a bullet for getting rid of is the SNOWBLOWER!