[Allen]

North, South, East or West? We are sill in PA, planning to move to TV in 2011 so we are trying our best to think most everything through. Here in the frigid North we enjoy a Southern exposure in the front of the house because it helps to melt the snow and helps keeps the kitchen back yard cooler in the Summer all the while lighting up the front rooms of the house very nicely.

When we lived in Tampa many years ago, we had a Northern exposure in the front yard so sun would hit the pool in the back yard. I remember, however, that we had some issues with the trim paint on the house starting to peal in just a few years, and were limited as to what we could plant in terms of flowers in the front. Having done it once, we are thinking of skipping the pool this time around.

So the question is... What kind of exposure do you have, and what do you like or dislike about it?

While we're at it... what do you see when on your lanai... another lanai, a road, the back of a community center, a golf course, etc.? And, what do you like or dislike about that? I once lived close to a road and hated it, but was surprised to find that lots with a back yard facing the road in TV actually cost a bit more.

Thanks in advance for you comments! The more info we can gather... the better!

[l2ridehd]

Do a search on this topic as it has been covered several times. And the results were that everyone had a preference. And yet N,S,E&W seemed to end up in a tie. And everyone had a different reason why they liked a certain one better. A lot would depend on weather your a snow bird or a full time resident. On where your lot was located and what it backed up to. There are a lot of factors that influence which direction is best. And each has several pro's and con's.

As for our lot, it is on an executive golf course. And because I play a lot of golf, I knew how to select a location so I get no golf balls in the yard or hitting the house.

Just follow the age old real estate rule and buy for location 1 2 and 3 reason. It is still the most important selection choice.

[Allen]

Thanks... I will do the search. I should have thought of that first, but I am new at this.

[swrinfla]

Allen:

My "back" faces north. That's where my lanai is. In warm weather, I love sitting on the lanai with my breakfast coffee and newspaper. In the heat of the summer, I may avoid the lanai in the late afternoon because part of it is directly exposed to the afternoon sun!

I worked quite hard to avoid a full western exposure. While searching for a place to which to move, I visited Plantation, south of Leesburg. Their model homes at the time all had lanais exposed to the late afternoon sun. They were unbearably hot!

My house "up north," had a southern exposure. We loved that our master bedroom was heated by the sun, and the sitting-room portion of it was our favorite venue. Here, my house does have a southern exposure, but it is mostly away from a place of activity!

Suggestion: bear in mind what you really like. If you want morning sun to ease your entrance into the day, consider an easterly-facing breakfast nook and/or lanai. If you like to sit with a glass of wine enjoying the late afternoon's ambience, consider a northerly-facing lanai, especially if a wall of it faces west.

As in all things, it's your personal choice that really, really matters!

SWR