The term "McMansion"

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-21-2005
The term "McMansion"
31
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 11:51am

We were talking about "McMansions" in my Urban Sprawl post and some of you guys were wondering where that expression came from.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:13pm
Oh, I think I'll be fine with around 900 sq ft, as long as I have a basement for storage. My house that I sold a few years ago was over 2000 sq ft and it was way too much to keep up with. I'm all about downsizing these days. LOL


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:22pm

Having more land per home will cause MORE urban sprawl, since more roads have to be extended to reach only few houses.

But yeah, I too hate urban sprawl. Everywhere I looked growing up, it was nothing but highways, malls, walmarts and just rows and rows of houses. The suburbs are a horrible place to raise kids. If you want to do your kids some good, trying to get a house close to an upscale urban center.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:24pm

>>>Oh, I think I'll be fine with around 900 sq ft, as long as I have a basement for storage. My house that I sold a few years ago was over 2000 sq ft and it was way too much to keep up with. I'm all about downsizing these days. LOL<<<

To me, the size or style of the house wouldn't be so important as what's close to the house. What's the point of having the nicest house in town if there's NOTHING to do in town?

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:29pm

<<>>

No, urban sprawl involves poor planning and high saturation housing.

So if a developer puts 10 houses on 100 acres - that's not necessarily contributing to urban sprawl.

If a developer puts 15-18 townhouse units per acre, or 1 McMansion per 1/8 or 1/4 acre - that's a definite contribution towards urban sprawl.


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:33pm
Ummm...for me, being away from town isn't that big of a deal. Between taking care of my home and property, doing barn chores, working with the horses, a full time job, etc., being away from town is a benefit because it's not a distraction. I can plan fun stuff to do in any city in the world, but don't have to worry about being distracted from the important stuff.


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-07-2006
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:37pm

>>>So if a developer puts 10 houses on 100 acres - that's not necessarily contributing to urban sprawl.<<<

It expands the suburbs or, worse yet, creates exurbs.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-15-2005
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:49pm

I'm no advocate for development - I'm all about land preservation.

But you are in error as to what the definition of urban sprawl is.


Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:55pm
Ahhh simplicity : ) I hear ya!
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-29-2003
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 3:57pm

I HATE HATE HATE McMansions! LOL, I didn't know there was a name for it, I was in the habit of when I would see one of these, (increasingly) all over the older charming neighborhoods in my area, I would think "now THERE's a Fake House" I would refer to them as "fake houses"

This following link to this funky, very OLD house in my area, will not always be active, and yes, this is what even an old wreck of a home goes for in my area...but this house is on my way home from work, and I am dreading seeing the time after it is sold, to see it knocked down, and a McMansion built in its place... :(

http://www.mlslistings.com/common/properties/propertyDetail.asp?open=0&page=5&mls_number=717203&type=property&name=

Avatar for cfk_3
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-1999
Thu, 05-10-2007 - 4:03pm
Homes being built today cannot compare to the personality or charm of houses built during that era(house from your link). They tore one down similar not far from here . . . what a shame.