We live in a 2900 sq ft new Mcmansion now. Maybe it doesn’t quite qualify being below 3000. We’re a family of 6 and love the space. Could we survive in a smaller house? Yeah, but miserbaly. We rented a 1600 sq ft townhome for two years. Would I trade a big yard and privacy from neighbours for more space inside? Definitely yes.

Now commuting time is a different beast. I would NOT want to drive > 45 min one way just to have a big house.