As the weather heats up, homeowners may be looking to make the most of their outdoor space. But some cities may have a distinct advantage when it comes to hosting backyard parties. Realtor.com®’s research team analyzed 350 metro areas based on lot sizes, cool outdoor home features (e.g. hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, decks, etc.), and the number of sunny days the area sees annually.
“We are seeing more people than ever really investing in the backyard living,” says Chuck Bowen, editor of Lawn & Landscape Magazine. Homeowners “are turning backyards into a fantastic space to have family, friends, and colleagues over.”
He says the top ways to make a big statement with a backyard are patios and decks, or even high-end features like big-screen TVs and sound systems centered around outdoor cooking spaces. The top cities for holding the best backyard party are (listed along with median lost size):
1. Sarasota, Fla.
- Median lot size: 7,930 square feet
2. Napa, Calif.
- Median lot size: 8,000 square feet
3. Barnstable, Mass.
- Median lot size: 16,500 square feet
4. Charlottesville, Va.
- Median lot size: 16,000 square feet
5. Daytona Beach, Fla.
- Median lot size: 10,000 square feet
6. Los Angeles
- Median lot size: 7,100 square feet
7. Brunswick, Ga.
- Median lot size: 9,200 square feet
Source: “Beers and Bonfires: The 10 U.S. Cities Where Backyard Shindigs Reign Supreme,” realtor.com® (June 26, 2017)
