Anyone here live in a McMansion?

linlithgowoil · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 3:50 am Post subject: Anyone here live in a McMansion?

Im from the UK and we sort of have McMansions, though they are usually not in the middle of nowhere, but normally nearish to a local town, or joined on to it.

I just wondered what it is like to live in a big suburban housing estate that is miles from any amenities and is surrounded by desolate lands and roads. It must be terible for the soul and mind.

If i dont live near to natural things and have the opportunity to walk to my town main street etc., it makes me feel bad.

I stayed in a house in florida once that was a mcmansion, and it was mile from anywhere. its a terrible feeling of isolation you get - especially because no one seems to play in their gardens or in the street in these areas as it would upset the neighbours i suppose.

finally - those who are living in a mcmansion - how are your bills and expenses going? are they going up faster than your income?

jato · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:48 am Post subject:

I am not too sure what constitutes a McMansion. I do live 4 miles from the nearest gas station and market. Everyone is on 2 acre lots. I love it! I don’t like crowds, cities or high density housing.

JR · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:11 am Post subject:

Wow, Jato...your taxes are high. Per month! Mine are about 500.00 for the whole year. I can't imagine paying that much per month.

JR

Permanently_Baffled · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:23 am Post subject:

Ok so you guys can benchmark here are my costs based on a 4 bed semi detached house in the UK:

Water: $50 a month
Electricity:$50 a month
Gas: $60 month winter , $30 - $40 in summer
Council tax(aka property tax) $210 a month.
Petrol: $240 a month (its now $80 to fill my 1997 escort! Shocked

)

PB
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pip · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:51 am Post subject:

I live 5 miles from the nearest gas station and 20 miles to the nearest store. My closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away, which is too close in my opinion. I'm not a big fan of the city life. My current location feels more like independence than isolation to me.

Gasoline runs me about $350/month.
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linlithgowoil · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:04 am Post subject:

i have 2 bed bedroom terraced house in scotland (my neighbours are JOINED to me..! Smile

) my costs are:-

(using 1.85 dollars to the pound)

electricty + gas = £30 a month ($55.5)
council tax = £92 a month ($170.2) - this includes water as well
petrol - £90 a month ($166.5) - £47 ($86.95) to fill my 1996 laguna.

my location:-
i live about a 10 minute walk from our high street which has a very large tesco and sainsburys supermarket, 1 minute from a petrol station, 10 minute walk from a train station, 1 minute from a bus stop, 5 minutes from council sports centre and swimming pool, 15 minute walk from a national country park, 5 minute walk to primary school and secondary school, and 17 miles from my place of work in Edinburgh, which takes me 40 minutes to drive and costs £3.80 a day in petrol - though i'll be working a 5 minute walk from home come september.

frankthetank · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:51 am Post subject:

Around here you can figure your property taxes will run you about $2000 per 100K of assessed value. Incredibly expensive if you own a home worth 300K+.

I don't live in a Mcmansion..its more like a McShoebox Smile

crude_intentions · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 11:19 am Post subject:

pstarr · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 12:02 pm Post subject:

jato · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:00 pm Post subject:

My water has to be imported from hundreds of miles away. It is expensive. When I moved in, I planted a large number of trees. I am going to let some of my property die in order to save $$$ on water.

Re property taxes: We pay about %1.1 of our assessed value. A small 2 bedroom home is going for $400k+.

My house still accesses for about $400k, but it is worth a lot more. IIRC the county can only raise my taxes so much % per year… even though my house has doubled in value since 2001.

How big is a McMansion? I just live in a McHouse.
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FoxV · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject:

Perhaps those of you living in those vastly inflated houses might consider selling now and renting till the foreclosures start rolling in.

Something you may want to consider doing soon, because I very much doubt the housing bubble will survive through the summer

edit---
my hometown appears to be crashing now (actually started last year) so there will be no cashing in on the bubble for me Evil or Very Mad

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0mar · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:12 pm Post subject:

rental place. 865 a month

electricity - 12-20 bucks a month
water - 40 dollars or so
gas (heating) - taken care by rental company
phone bill - 22.95
cable - 54 something (includes internet)

That's my monthly expense hehehehe. I don't like paying taxes.
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Ludi · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:55 pm Post subject:

McHell McNo! 1500 sq foot house from a catalog (Jim Walter), $383.00 month mortgage. Oh, should mention all neighbors have 10-20-100+ acres (we have 20).

smallpoxgirl · Moderator Joined: Nov 08, 2004 Posts: 5212

Two bedroom single wide in a trailer park. Backs up to a big horse pasture and some trees, which makes it tolerable.

Rent is $475.
Last month's bill for electric and gas was $26 ($16 worth of usage plus $10 for just having service.)
Water & sewer are free.
Don't have a home phone, cable, or home internet.
Cell phone $40 per month.

pip · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 4:36 pm Post subject: