Size of Avg. US home over time

[briansd1]

[quote=joec]

Hi BG, just out of curiosity, what age bracket are you in? My wife and I in our late 30s with a young child. I’ll take a stab at why some piggs (namely me) can care less about the large lot. I grew up probably in a 15-20k lot in my parent’s house in the bay area. For us now, we really don’t care having that 10k+ lot (and we’re in a postage sized lot now) because:

1) Landscaping is expensive! The larger the lot, the more expensive to landscape it.

2) We are in door hermits. Sure, I grew up riding my bikes outside (pretty rarely in the backyard actually), rolling down the hill on a cardboard in our backyard, etc…but SD is pretty hot compared to the bay area actually and it’s foolish to sit outside a lot. Kids probably have a lot of other activities so that’s even less backyard/large lot time.

3) We’re busy! With a kid and barely enough time to get basic personal stuff done and work, chores, who has time to sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere?!?!? A lot of dual income, 1 high income folks would probably prefer to spend time indoors with their kids with the occasional park time rather than play in their backyard, big or small.

4) Lastly, being Asian and all the stereotypes that come with that, I think a lot of those zip codes are simply not on a lot of asian families list of cities to buy in. Lemon Grove, having lived in East county before is a pretty bad area having been there a few times.

5) We like NEW! Maybe the old generation has time to “fix up” the house, but like point 3 above, who has time to do a “home project?” I’d rather spend my time doing things I enjoy than fixing things around the house that’s constantly breaking in a 20 year old house…

Give me my postage stamp sized lot brand spanking new, highly energy efficient home anyday over a 20k lot 20 year fixer…

If we don’t run the AC/heat much, our power bills are in the 60-70 dollars now compared to 40-50 in a 1000 sqft apartment.

Heat seems very expensive (3 months) and we turn it on since the baby refuses to use a blanket. :([/quote]

joec, your attitude is what I call the Cheesecake Factory effect.

People choose the Cheesecake Factory because
– It’s new and clean
– prices are reasonable
– portion are large. Large portions for the price.
– consistent service
– it’s an easy choice
– It’s new and clean, in a new and clean shopping center.

The same goes for housing, I believe. But unlike going out to dinner, people buy houses only a few times in a lifetime.

There is something to be said for a new house. I believe that people prefer new houses and that’s why people will abandon old neighborhoods for new cities over time (for example moving from LA to Orange County).

I like the city. But I’m not willing to live in an old dilapidated house. That’s why I rent a new condo downtown.

If I were to buy an old house, I’d fix it first before moving in. If you look at houses for sale, crisp and clean, move-in condition houses sell very quickly.

In my opinion, it’s not the newness per se, but it’s the cleanliness and general of condition of the house and neighborhood.

Having said all of that, I personally hate the suburbs, but I understand the attraction. That’s why I believe cities need to remake themselves to attract new residents and increase their tax bases.

BTW, I also hate the Cheesecake Factory. But I understand why they are successful.

[scaredyclassic]

regarding location; i went to a friend of a friend’s “house” it was really a slightly destroyed large mobile home with an addition on it. beat up like you wouldn’t even think to say “sorry” if you spilled a beer. But…it was ona mountain top in rural area with amazing views. hanging out there, of course, you think; man, who cares if my house is a mess. the dumpiest house on the right spot and it’s fine. it’s just a crappy house ina crappy spot that’s a bummer.

if the location speaks to you, the house doesnt matter at all..

[scaredyclassic]

regarding location; i went to a friend of a friend’s “house” it was really a slightly destroyed large mobile home with an addition on it. beat up like you wouldn’t even think to say “sorry” if you spilled a beer. But…it was ona mountain top in rural area with amazing views. hanging out there, of course, you think; man, who cares if my house is a mess. the dumpiest house on the right spot and it’s fine. it’s just a crappy house ina crappy spot that’s a bummer.

if the location speaks to you, the house doesnt matter at all..

[scaredyclassic]

regarding location; i went to a friend of a friend’s “house” it was really a slightly destroyed large mobile home with an addition on it. beat up like you wouldn’t even think to say “sorry” if you spilled a beer. But…it was ona mountain top in rural area with amazing views. hanging out there, of course, you think; man, who cares if my house is a mess. the dumpiest house on the right spot and it’s fine. it’s just a crappy house ina crappy spot that’s a bummer.

if the location speaks to you, the house doesnt matter at all..

[scaredyclassic]

regarding location; i went to a friend of a friend’s “house” it was really a slightly destroyed large mobile home with an addition on it. beat up like you wouldn’t even think to say “sorry” if you spilled a beer. But…it was ona mountain top in rural area with amazing views. hanging out there, of course, you think; man, who cares if my house is a mess. the dumpiest house on the right spot and it’s fine. it’s just a crappy house ina crappy spot that’s a bummer.

if the location speaks to you, the house doesnt matter at all..

[scaredyclassic]

regarding location; i went to a friend of a friend’s “house” it was really a slightly destroyed large mobile home with an addition on it. beat up like you wouldn’t even think to say “sorry” if you spilled a beer. But…it was ona mountain top in rural area with amazing views. hanging out there, of course, you think; man, who cares if my house is a mess. the dumpiest house on the right spot and it’s fine. it’s just a crappy house ina crappy spot that’s a bummer.

if the location speaks to you, the house doesnt matter at all..

[joec]

I think the main point you’re stating is like I mentioned in another message, people are simply different and like different things and will spend their money where they think is the best value for them. This is why we have more than 1 car manufacturer in the world as well as so many companies for practically everything.

In regards to cities, some people simply don’t like living there. As you hate the suburbs, having lived in a major downtown city (SF), I for one don’t like it at all, especially at this point in my life…That could change if circumstances change, but by then, I could always move as well.

In regards to the Cheesecake factory effect, isn’t that an effect for practically everything we consume? Most people like new, clean, reasonably priced (best bang for the buck) items. This applies to cars, people (attractive, nice, clean, not too expensive ;)…you name it.

Anyhow, not knocking your desire for city life, but amazing to believe, some folks really don’t mind cookie cutter, small lot areas since we have other pursuits/passions in life and where we live is just a place to crash and store stuff.

I think most cities have been moving away from bringing families back to live there due to lower tax revenue and families simply seem to like the whole yard, house, picket fence thing.

[joec]

I think the main point you’re stating is like I mentioned in another message, people are simply different and like different things and will spend their money where they think is the best value for them. This is why we have more than 1 car manufacturer in the world as well as so many companies for practically everything.

In regards to cities, some people simply don’t like living there. As you hate the suburbs, having lived in a major downtown city (SF), I for one don’t like it at all, especially at this point in my life…That could change if circumstances change, but by then, I could always move as well.

In regards to the Cheesecake factory effect, isn’t that an effect for practically everything we consume? Most people like new, clean, reasonably priced (best bang for the buck) items. This applies to cars, people (attractive, nice, clean, not too expensive ;)…you name it.

Anyhow, not knocking your desire for city life, but amazing to believe, some folks really don’t mind cookie cutter, small lot areas since we have other pursuits/passions in life and where we live is just a place to crash and store stuff.

I think most cities have been moving away from bringing families back to live there due to lower tax revenue and families simply seem to like the whole yard, house, picket fence thing.

[joec]

I think the main point you’re stating is like I mentioned in another message, people are simply different and like different things and will spend their money where they think is the best value for them. This is why we have more than 1 car manufacturer in the world as well as so many companies for practically everything.

In regards to cities, some people simply don’t like living there. As you hate the suburbs, having lived in a major downtown city (SF), I for one don’t like it at all, especially at this point in my life…That could change if circumstances change, but by then, I could always move as well.

In regards to the Cheesecake factory effect, isn’t that an effect for practically everything we consume? Most people like new, clean, reasonably priced (best bang for the buck) items. This applies to cars, people (attractive, nice, clean, not too expensive ;)…you name it.

Anyhow, not knocking your desire for city life, but amazing to believe, some folks really don’t mind cookie cutter, small lot areas since we have other pursuits/passions in life and where we live is just a place to crash and store stuff.

I think most cities have been moving away from bringing families back to live there due to lower tax revenue and families simply seem to like the whole yard, house, picket fence thing.

[joec]

I think the main point you’re stating is like I mentioned in another message, people are simply different and like different things and will spend their money where they think is the best value for them. This is why we have more than 1 car manufacturer in the world as well as so many companies for practically everything.

In regards to cities, some people simply don’t like living there. As you hate the suburbs, having lived in a major downtown city (SF), I for one don’t like it at all, especially at this point in my life…That could change if circumstances change, but by then, I could always move as well.

In regards to the Cheesecake factory effect, isn’t that an effect for practically everything we consume? Most people like new, clean, reasonably priced (best bang for the buck) items. This applies to cars, people (attractive, nice, clean, not too expensive ;)…you name it.

Anyhow, not knocking your desire for city life, but amazing to believe, some folks really don’t mind cookie cutter, small lot areas since we have other pursuits/passions in life and where we live is just a place to crash and store stuff.

I think most cities have been moving away from bringing families back to live there due to lower tax revenue and families simply seem to like the whole yard, house, picket fence thing.

[joec]

I think the main point you’re stating is like I mentioned in another message, people are simply different and like different things and will spend their money where they think is the best value for them. This is why we have more than 1 car manufacturer in the world as well as so many companies for practically everything.

In regards to cities, some people simply don’t like living there. As you hate the suburbs, having lived in a major downtown city (SF), I for one don’t like it at all, especially at this point in my life…That could change if circumstances change, but by then, I could always move as well.

In regards to the Cheesecake factory effect, isn’t that an effect for practically everything we consume? Most people like new, clean, reasonably priced (best bang for the buck) items. This applies to cars, people (attractive, nice, clean, not too expensive ;)…you name it.

Anyhow, not knocking your desire for city life, but amazing to believe, some folks really don’t mind cookie cutter, small lot areas since we have other pursuits/passions in life and where we live is just a place to crash and store stuff.

I think most cities have been moving away from bringing families back to live there due to lower tax revenue and families simply seem to like the whole yard, house, picket fence thing.

[Author]

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