Everyone should have the pleasure of a tarpaper shack without indoor plumbing.
PM Martin (725 posts) Mon Feb-23-09 10:34 PM
Original message
Can we agree on this one: "No more McMansions"!
Edited on Mon Feb-23-09 10:37 PM by PM Martin
Is there really any need for 3500-4000 sqft homes for a family of 4?
Was not the size of a new home built in the mid 60's 2200 sqft?
Is that not enough space. You also had an acre of land to go along with that home.
Another note: the amount of land has decreased as these new "McMansions" had become larger.
The concept of Suburbia was to get away from the city and have land and "freedom" and all that other stuff that
defined the American "dream".
Just how much of that "dream" do you need? A four car garage? A media room? 5 Bedrooms?
A chandelier hanging above your entry way as a means of showing off you new found "wealth"?
What is wrong with living near cities and within?
What is wrong with a Town home? A high rise condo? An Apartment?
What do you think? 
EDIT: If you agree with me, please give this post a recommendation!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5119150
26 recommendations on 3400 odd views.
Amazing that so few of the hive think this is a good idea.
CaliforniaPeggy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-23-09 10:40 PM
Response to Original message
3. Sorry, but I do not agree...
My husband and I built a home for ourselves, just the two of us, at about 4200 sq. feet. We are within the zoning requirements for our town, and we love our home.
It is an architect-designed home, and one of the nicest homes on our street.
Home sizes are very personal.
My two cents...
YMMV...
cliffordu Donating Member (1000+ posts) Tue Feb-24-09 01:22 PM
Response to Reply #3
113. My wife and I and our five cats live in 272 sq feet. *
Edited on Tue Feb-24-09 01:36 PM by cliffordu
Can I have a hundred or so of yours??
*I live in an airstream. I also have an 8X10' shed.
What are you gonna do with it... Tie it to the roof ?
jmowreader (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-23-09 10:41 PM
Response to Original message
5. If I had the means, I would build a 5000sf home...
however, 3000sf of it would be the garage in which I would fix up old beaters I bought off Craigslist so I could sell them to people who needed reliable transportation but didn't have very much money.
Ideas like this are why you don't have the means to make them happen...
BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-23-09 10:42 PM
Response to Original message
6. (shrug) Unless suitably tasteless people with enough money want one...
I certainly don't intend to tell people what to buy and what not to buy.
I will tell them if there choice is utterly tasteless, however.
Did someone forget to inform me that it is opposites day ?
arcadian Donating Member (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-23-09 10:43 PM
Response to Original message
9. The "it's their money they can do with it what they want" crowd will be here shortly.
I agree with you by the way.
They should do what you tell them with their money , is that it ?
paulsby (79 posts) Tue Feb-24-09 02:23 AM
Response to Original message
50. why?
I'm for CHOICE.
the problem is not mcmansions.
the problem is that many people bought them when they couldn't afford them. their decision was based on the (ERRONEOUS) idea that markets only go in one direction - up.
that is true in NO market on earth.
maybe i am taking this a bit personally, since I am closing on a 3200 ft home that many would consider a mcmansion. hey, i saved. i waited for the crash. i am keeping cash on the side, and i am putting over 20% down. i am also pleased at a 4.66% 30 yr rate.
that's my decision, and i'm not going to feel guilty about it.
do i NEED that much house? no. it IS suburbia, but i like suburbia. i don't want excitement where i live. i want tranquility, good neighbors, low crime, a big yard to play in, a garden to grow, etc.
there is NOTHING wrong with a town home, a condo, or an apartment. different strokes for different folks.
if i was single, i might prefer something else. actually i am sure i would.
i do loathe chandeliers fwiw.
I wonder....
pretty (22 posts) Tue Feb-24-09 12:37 PM
Response to Reply #9
102. And rightly so. Next you'll be telling me what type of car
to drive. It's none of your business.
*snicker*
lonestarnot Donating Member (1000+ posts) Mon Feb-23-09 10:49 PM
Response to Original message
17. Not unless they are going to house thousands of homeless people.

I wonder if lonestarnut would house homeless people inside their domicile. Sure they may not be able to house "thousands" but there has gotta be room for a few.