[quote=patientrenter]A good friend of mine, well-educated, hardworking, etc, grew up with 8 family members in a 2-bedroom apartment.[/quote]
Ask your friend’s parents if they thought it was fun. I think you don’t have kids.
[quote]You don’t NEED a large home. It’s a luxury, and if you buy it it’s because you want to spend on a luxury. If you bought a Ferrari, I would wish you lots of enjoyment and I wouldn’t throw mud at you… unless you claimed it was a necessity and you came back 30 years later saying you couldn’t retire on your own unsubsidized savings.[/quote]
Who said anything about a “large” house? I think the OP is talking about something modest if he’s shopping in the $250-300k range or lower. My wife and I are thinking a bit more downscale than that and would be thrilled with it.