Interesting trend on the whole 'carbon footprint' idea.

I live in relatively decent neighborhood with some small homes and some very large homes. One of the newer developments about a mile away is chock full of very large homes, 5000 square foot plus. In the past here, what the trend has been is for owners to jump ship and buy into the newer, larger homes whether or not they could truly afford it.

One particular new neighborhood, the one with the 5000 square foot plus homes, isn't selling very well. Never mind the ridiculous prices, the comments that are being heard are things like 'no one needs to live in a house that big with two kids', ' no one should make such a large carbon footprint' :wow: , stuff along those lines.

2-3 years ago, those houses would have been snapped up before the builder ever got the permits and the land perked. Maybe what Al Gore is saying about our earth and the way we care for it is starting to sink in.

I also noticed that on my street, it takes the recycling truck 2-3 x as long to pick up the recycling. I know this because my dog barks when the truck enters the street until it leaves.

Maybe we are making a difference. This is a red state after all.

Just some observations. YMMV.

Keep it up people! :bounce:

made a comment the other day about the PTA President at the middle school. He's a maniac for excel and lists.

She said to him "****, we really have to work on reducing your carbon footprint". I was howling. She hears me say that all the time, and I guess some of it stuck.

I have always been interested in why people buy such large homes. I'm a cozy little place person myself. I like being surrounded by my kids and their friends and enjoy the chaos. Having them disperse to all different rooms isn't any fun for me. I like having them around.

Well, except for this morning when BoyMidlo burned the bacon and set off all the smoke detectors.

as a person is judged by the size of their bank account. How sad. It's pervasive in this culture and I think it's harmed us a great deal.

My best friend works in the movie industry and lives in Hollywood. He's currently working on a movie that's filming in Boonville, MO. He calls me with wonder in his voice at how friendly and kind the townspeople are and how much he loves it there. He realizes just how empty and soul-extinguishing Hollywood is. Hollywood is an extreme example, but the same attitude is in evidence in every city in the country. Your OP makes me think we could be waking up, one "carbon footprint" at a time!

We've lost our way. I'm so happy for you that you've always known the REAL meaning of life. Thanks for the inspiration!

Some of these folks have purchased these houses and mortgaged themselves to the devil to do so. A $780,000 mortgage on a $900,000 house? How could anyone sleep at night? :scared:

I just don't get it. Never have. And, thanks for your nice words. :hi:

However, I fear it's just the simple fact that people can't sell their homes in order to afford the "upgrade" to the 5000sqft+ homes.

I'd like to think it's because people care about "carbon footprints" - but they are just saying that to make themselves feel better about their current homes they can't get out of.

The only way to know for sure is for the market to get "better" and see whether those homes get snatched up again or the trend truly is for more modestly sized homes.

The market here is pretty good. People are able to sell their property and 'buy up' if they so wish.

One of the reasons, and it is a very limited one, is that people are trying to get into the district for the new high school. We happened to luck out and already reside there, but a house like mine in the district of the older high school would sell for $100,000 less.

and, these new houses are beyond gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Not worth it to me, though and I think maybe others.

With the houses, I think many people have had it with the tons of unneeded space that costs more money to fill with furniture, electronics and other toys, costs more to heat and cool, and is a bear to keep clean. Then there's the additional cost of taxes, insurance and maintenance. Those 5000 SF houses don't seem to offer much more benefit than well designed 3000 SF places. Turns out that there is an upper limit to the house size that most people can consider a home.

folks buy enormous houses that go unfurnished for years. I knew of one family where the kids were sleeping on sleeping bags for four years!!!!! Four years!!! Just so they could say they had this tony address.

Don't get it. Don't think I ever will.

they're still tearing down nice 2,500 sq.ft houses and putting up one of 6,000 to 15,000 sq. ft.

I lived in Darien, New Canaan, and Stamford when I was teaching high school.

And, I know exactly what you mean. The tear down in Greenwich is appalling.

my mother still lives there. I have a sister who lives in Darien, one who lives in Ridgefield, and one in Wilton.

I lived in apartments in Darien and with a friend in New Canaan prior to moving to Stamford. After which I got married and moved to Monroe and then to VA.

Quite an interesting place, Fairfield County. Lots and lots of money. I do a lot of work with non profits there.

Lots of money means there's a market for oversized houses because the costs associated with it don't matter to some with fat wallets. Pockets of the SF Bay Area are very much like Fairfield County in that regard. I live near one. I don't think from what I've read that it's a trend that is sustaining nationally at the moment.

Have no idea what one would do with it. It's outrageous to have that much space to heat and cool and clean and ...gah. And frankly, the tony addresses take more effort to get along with the neighbours!

I have, however, stayed in a house like that in Texas. Briefly. Very briefly.

My hostess and I had a totally different attitude towards the "hired help" and food. I'm sorry folks, I realize I'm just not all that sophisticated in some ways, but there is only so often I can look at a bleeding steak. (And I'm a snob in others; I refuse to drink instant coffee as a standard.) I moved into a hotel. We were both relieved. :eyes:

However, quite seriously, there is a limit to anyone's need for space. I'd rather create my own space by having less furniture and crap, but that's a personal preference.

Her family is incredibly wealthy. Multi, multi millionaires.

She has a child with severe CP and says routinely she would give all her money to see him walk.

Life is funny, isn't it?

That is good to know. Thanks for posting.