McMansion or not?

I don't know how one defines McMansion exactly but it seems our neighborhood does not seem to qualify. No home looks the same and most are quite different. Even those with a similar floor plan have very different facades. We also have lots from a half acre to a full acre. Most homes here have craftsman details, the better neighborhoods are very custom. I also have not seen pressed wood chips. Most here are brick on 2x6 frames and some are "cemplank."

I will make the observation that when my neighbors have had kids, the extra room from a large house really gets used. Most of the houses in the Atlanta suburbs are 5 bedroom and 3-4 bath. We will add an additional 2 bedrooms and a bath when we finish the basement some day. Probably a small kitchenette as well.

As an avid audiophile I really like having a separate listening room. I need the space for all of my music collection. I also like having a big garage since I enjoy detailing cars for fun and exercise.

I also enjoy doing yard work as odd as that seems. We improve the landscaping every year and the bermuda is getting greener with the fertilizer we use.

The suburban lifestyle is not for everyone but I really like it.

Living on my own, my preference would be towards better quality and higher $/sf. If you add kids to the mix, my feelings change though. On the one hand, I hate commuting, so living in the suburbs would probably make me hate life, especially if I had to spend 2 hours in the car every day like so many people working in toronto do. However, if I had kids, a bigger house would allow me to maintain some space for myself and get some quiet time when I need it. If everyone had their own bedroom and play/tv room, it seems to me that there would be less fighting and a quieter house.

I grew up in 2500-3000 sq. ft houses and i doubt if my parents ever got any peace and quiet. I had a friend in a 4-5000 sq.ft. house and when i'd go over, we ahd 2 huge areas that were far away from the parents bedroom/work areas that we could play in without disturbing anyone. Kids are ******* loud so i don't hold the McMansion thing against anyone that's got kids, though i do think they look stupid on their tiny little lots.

I'm not sure what would be worse, kids in a small/nicer place with no commute but more noise, or the commute+larger house in the burbs where everyone has their own space.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

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I don't know how one defines McMansion exactly but it seems our neighborhood does not seem to qualify. No home looks the same and most are quite different. Even those with a similar floor plan have very different facades. We also have lots from a half acre to a full acre. Most homes here have craftsman details, the better neighborhoods are very custom. I also have not seen pressed wood chips. Most here are brick on 2x6 frames and some are "cemplank."

I will make the observation that when my neighbors have had kids, the extra room from a large house really gets used. Most of the houses in the Atlanta suburbs are 5 bedroom and 3-4 bath. We will add an additional 2 bedrooms and a bath when we finish the basement some day. Probably a small kitchenette as well.

As an avid audiophile I really like having a separate listening room. I need the space for all of my music collection. I also like having a big garage since I enjoy detailing cars for fun and exercise.

I also enjoy doing yard work as odd as that seems. We improve the landscaping every year and the bermuda is getting greener with the fertilizer we use.

The suburban lifestyle is not for everyone but I really like it.
I will be visiting Atlanta in May. I'll be glad to drive by your place and let you know my vote yeah or nay as to its McMansionability. Perhaps it will qualify as swankienda.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

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I don't know how one defines McMansion exactly but it seems our neighborhood does not seem to qualify. No home looks the same and most are quite different. Even those with a similar floor plan have very different facades. We also have lots from a half acre to a full acre. Most homes here have craftsman details, the better neighborhoods are very custom. I also have not seen pressed wood chips. Most here are brick on 2x6 frames and some are "cemplank."

I will make the observation that when my neighbors have had kids, the extra room from a large house really gets used. Most of the houses in the Atlanta suburbs are 5 bedroom and 3-4 bath. We will add an additional 2 bedrooms and a bath when we finish the basement some day. Probably a small kitchenette as well.

As an avid audiophile I really like having a separate listening room. I need the space for all of my music collection. I also like having a big garage since I enjoy detailing cars for fun and exercise.

I also enjoy doing yard work as odd as that seems. We improve the landscaping every year and the bermuda is getting greener with the fertilizer we use.

The suburban lifestyle is not for everyone but I really like it.

i can sympathise with all your points except the one about finding car detailing enjoyable

Or if it qualifies as exercise.

Originally Posted by Mr Herbert

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i can sympathise with all your points except the one about finding car detailing enjoyable

Point taken.

Originally Posted by CBrown85

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Or if it qualifies as exercise.

Bingo. I do this, some tennis and I'm starting disc golf.

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

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I'm starting disc golf.

Hippie.

In the broadest sense, a McMansion is a home that mimics the formal elements of homes typically outside its owners' socio-economic means to create a false expression of luxury for the purpose of social validation among the envied class.

Originally Posted by zbromer

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Hippie.

This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius...

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

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This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius...

Check your mailbox.
I sent you some "stuff" you'll need for Frisbee golf.

Originally Posted by Dakota rube

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Check your mailbox.
I sent you some "stuff" you'll need for Frisbee golf.

Originally Posted by RSS

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I will be visiting Atlanta in May.

OOOOOOOOOOOO! Let's hang out!

Originally Posted by StephenHero

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In the broadest sense, a McMansion is a home that mimics the formal elements of homes typically outside its owners' socio-economic means to create a false expression of luxury for the purpose of social validation among the envied class.

I think it has a few defintions. One is roughly, "It's such a shame plebs can buy houses the size of my family manor" and two roughly, "I can't afford it so I shall disparage it to mask my jealousy."

I think tossing in your definition has all the bases covered, as they certainly do seem to be aspirational items. However, I would toss in something about "mass produced" vs. "one offs."

Originally Posted by Piobaire

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I think it has a few defintions. One is roughly, "It's such a shame plebs can buy houses the size of my family manor" and two roughly, "I can't afford it so I shall disparage it to mask my jealousy."

Jackpot.

We looked at those things when we were searching for a home and the quality of the materials horrified us. Of course, it could have been the application of okay materials, but foam baseboard? Laminate wood? Run...