Whether we call it a mansion, an estate, or a super-sized McMansion, our personal residence should be whatever we feel we can afford. It is, after all, the American way of life.
Having said that, I ask that you keep the last statement in mind: “the American way of life”. For, nowhere on this planet does there exist a society that values material possessions more than in the United States of America. And sadly, having wealth doesn't seem to be part of the equation. It seems that we would rather go deep, deep into debt to “appear” wealthy. It seems it is an American mind set of “entitlement” to have more, bigger and better than anyone else.
Just about anybody can put themselves into the trick-bag with not much more than a steady job. These are the people in the upper income bracket living as though they had an unlimited source of income. They do not have a million dollars in the bank or in stocks, or even readily available to borrow. It does not stop them from owning (along with the bank) a million dollar home that will be foreclosed on the very nano-second they cannot meet their mortgage payment. It is no longer impressive to be considered a millionaire. It takes several million today to be considered rich.
Taking an average family of four, their home must have separate bedrooms and bathrooms for each child, perhaps two extra guest rooms with their own bath, a Master suite with sitting room and baths, closets with dressing rooms in each bedroom, and complete entertainment centers for each.
The living portion of the home will have the “professional” kitchen with eating area, a formal dining room, a formal living room and an all-inclusive family room containing every conceivable piece of electronic entertainment equipment available. There will also be a separate computer room isolated in some quiet area of the home.
In most cases, both parents work outside of the home. The children are in various stages of life from a routine of day care centers, grade school and high school. Whatever free time the parents have are taken up with carpooling children to sports, cultural endeavors, play dates, shopping and finding time for adult togetherness once in awhile.
Unless this family is genuinely wealthy and can afford the maintenance to take care of such extravagant surroundings and perhaps have “Molly Maid” come in once a week, there is precious little time for taking care of this elaborate home.
With the hours devoted to career, raising children, and keeping up appearances of the rich and the famous, add to this all the stress and pressure that builds, and the drain on health to keep up with “having it all”. This is the American dream and the lifestyle demanded by the “average” American family.
