"When my family moved into our house, nearly 10 years ago, we had two toddlers and two aging Chihuahuas. Between day care, moving costs, and life with small kids, we were barely hanging on, financially or otherwise. Having a powder room for our newly potty-trained older kid was enough to make me feel like a queen. In those early years, we had friends and neighbors over for birthday parties and cookouts,"
"A 2024 study of the "McMansion effect" found that when newer, larger houses are built in their neighborhoods, homeowners report lower satisfaction with their own homes. This connects with a long-standing trend of Americans wanting larger houses, with more space from neighbors-even when that means living farther from amenities like shops and restaurants. COVID-19 accelerated a trend that was already well underway, and today a growing share of our lives is spent at home,"
A family moved into a modest house nearly a decade ago while managing toddlers, pets, and tight finances, finding small conveniences deeply satisfying. As neighboring homes were flipped into modern styles, the family began to view their house more critically and desire larger, updated features. A 2024 study of the "McMansion effect" links newer, larger nearby houses to decreased homeowner satisfaction. Americans have trended toward bigger homes and more separation from neighbors, a pattern intensified by COVID-19 as more activities occur at home. A cruise experience reframed the ideal toward compact, efficient stateroom-style living.
Read at Slate Magazine
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