Death of the 'McMansion': Era of Huge Homes Is Over

[Ban Hammer 12,867]

with or without basement?

with basement, not counting garage. with garage it's about 2200.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

agreed - house here is about 1700

That's what we have - 1700 and change. A basement would ne nice, though...

[BobandXiaomei 14]

5,000 sq. ft. with a 3,000 sq. ft. basement.

Here's how my room looked every morning before my wife arrived and terrorized everything:

Nice. My utility bill is actually lower than the 1100sf apartment we were living in. The swimming pool does jack up the water bill a bit but not as much as I expected. My attic is massive I could put my first house inside it.

We just bought at the right time (last Spring). It's far more house than we expected but it was a foreclosure and we plan on staying in it a long time.

Edited August 19, 2010 by BobandXiaomei

[rsn 135]

Originally coming from a place where the houses are huge and an arms-length away from each other, I'm glad these types of houses are on their way out. Nothing wrong w/ getting a larger house out in the country though. We payed relatively nothing for a new 2700 sq ft house out in the country. There's something to be said about living in a rural area. Sure, you don't have as many conveniences, but it's a lot nicer, quieter, and less expensive than a big city. I would hang myself if I lived anywhere near NYC.

[BobandXiaomei 14]

Originally coming from a place where the houses are huge and an arms-length away from each other, I'm glad these types of houses are on their way out. Nothing wrong w/ getting a larger house out in the country though. We payed relatively nothing for a new 2700 sq ft house out in the country. There's something to be said about living in a rural area. Sure, you don't have as many conveniences, but it's a lot nicer, quieter, and less expensive than a big city. I would hang myself if I lived anywhere near NYC.

I hear that. My 1st requirement was a place that I could pee outside and not have the cops called. Wifey nixed that one fast. We are where we because of the schools and ethnically diverse neighbors. (and we got a great deal!) We're surrounded by a huge farm/ranch but it ain't the country.

Edited August 19, 2010 by BobandXiaomei

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I got mine, repo, 4600sqft.

mine is 4601sqft

[BobandXiaomei 14]

mine is 4601sqft

What!????!!! I'll have to add-on now.

[^_^ 5,021]

I would hang myself if I lived anywhere near NYC.

How close is too close?

[rsn 135]

I hear that. My 1st requirement was a place that I could pee outside and not have the cops called. Wifey nixed that one fast. We are where we because of the schools and ethnically diverse neighbors. (and we got a great deal!) We're surrounded by a huge farm/ranch but it ain't the country.

I actually wanted to go a lot more rural and live in a house surrounded by the forest, but the wife wanted some neighbors. I would prefer no one for miles, but hey, what can I do? We are in a subdivision surrounded by farms and a forest in a town of about 2k people out in SE Wisconsin. Good enough I guess.

How close is too close?

bordering states are too close. In Wisconsin, I'm at an acceptable distance.

[BobandXiaomei 14]

I actually wanted to go a lot more rural and live in a house surrounded by the forest, but the wife wanted some neighbors. I would prefer no one for miles, but hey, what can I do? We are in a subdivision surrounded by farms and a forest in a town of about 2k people out in SE Wisconsin. Good enough I guess.

bordering states are too close. In Wisconsin, I'm at an acceptable distance.

Man that sounds great.

[^_^ 5,021]

bordering states are too close. In Wisconsin, I'm at an acceptable distance.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would hang myself if I lived anywhere near NYC.

I've got a brother like that. He works for the forest service and lives out the middle of the forest. I think I can be comfortable in either a city or a rural area. They both have their pros and cons.

Edited August 19, 2010 by El Buscador

[rsn 135]

They both have their pros and cons.

Agreed. I guess it just comes down to where you're more comfortable. I kinda like Chicago, but I'm not sure I'd live there again. I've been to NYC (mostly Manhattan) many times on business, and it makes me crazy.

[^_^ 5,021]

I live 40 miles from Manhattan and it drives me nuts too. I like the burbs. The country is pretty but I can't handle living somewhere I can't get Chinese delivery or have to drive more than 10 minutes to get to a grocery store.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Legacy member

[rsn 135]

I live 40 miles from Manhattan and it drives me nuts too. I like the burbs. The country is pretty but I can't handle living somewhere I can't get Chinese delivery or have to drive more than 10 minutes to get to a grocery store.

Yea, living out in the country means more driving for sure, especially if you don't work at home. I spend more on gas and had to get a more fuel-efficient car for my journey in to work. Driving my Jeep 45 miles one-way into town every day made me want to cry when I filled up my gas tank every few days.