A Question of Homes

Though I can't find the reference now, I read an article in the Wall Street Journal a few months ago that talked about how people are moving away from MacMansions in favor of far smaller homes.  Perhaps this is part of the recent economic downturn.  But perhaps it is also part of a more socially conscious generation trying to authentically live in harmony with their values.

From my perspective--and that's all this is, my perspective--there are so many advantages to smaller homes.  Less to heat or cool.  Less to insure and pay taxes on.  Less to clean.  Less to maintain.  Less to worry about.  And all that translates into more energy, attention, and money to "spend" on people other than myself (particularly the poor and needy).

At 2100 square feet, our home is far bigger than two people need.   Should we sell it and get something smaller?  Even in this market, we have enough equity in our home that we could probably do so and eliminate a house payment altogether.  That is pretty tempting, especially with two kids in college.  And I'm reasonably sure we could do so without loss of comfort or convenience.

So why don't we?  Two reasons.  First, at least until the kids are out of college and have homes (not necessarily houses) of their own, we want them to have a "home" to come back to.  It does seem to me that this helps provide a sense of security for them in what can be a very insecure phase of life.

And second, I don't want to part with my garden!  It's taken me 9 years to create the back yard we have, and it is a thriving community of life for a wide variety of plants and animals.   Backing up to a large green space next to vast tracts of woods, it is pretty ideal for that. 

Rationalization?  Could be.  But for the time being, at least, I think we are here to stay.

Comments

[evan]

Hi. I stumbled on this via Scot Mcknight's blog. My wife and I wanted to build a 300s/f home when we moved to Virginia. However, we decided it was more important for us to live in community and serve others by providing them with a place to live. So, we bought a nearly 3000s/f home. We have 2 other living with us now, one more in November, and when the basement apt. is finished, 2 more.

Ours is an old home and not a McMansion by any stretch, but a friend and I were thinking a few days ago about what it would mean to live prophetically in the McMansion/Suburb environment. We decided one way to do that would be to actually use a big house to it's potential.

On the North Shore in Mass. I would see huge(old, center of city) homes all the time turned into apartments. I wonder when/if we're going to see the same trend in the suburbs.

[Jamie Arpin-Ricci]

Another trend I am seeing is reclaiming large homes for shared living (intentional community). Sadly, city by-laws & zoning fight this, but since we live in the inner city in a former gang house, we don't get bothered. However, I think we should start encouraging shared living more and more. Great thoughts!

Peace,
Jamie