New House - Entitlement?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never get jealous of anyone with a nicer house than me....and many have them. I am reasonably sure that I have more money than them, so that's good enough.

Would it make it so hard for you to live with yourself if you knew that someone else had a nicer house AND more money? (AND smarter kids, and a hotter husband, etc. etc.) Sometimes it happens this way. It's a bad idea to compare yourself with others to assuage your jealousy because one day you're going to come up short, even in your own mind, and what will you do then? Try to find a way to be happy with what you have even if it's less than the McMansion neighbor.

I know this is totally not responsive to the OP's question but I see so much of it on here and it's a shame.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I chose the word McMansion because that is what some people use. My friends with new houses all have very different houses. They work for them, but not necessarily for me.

But, do you figure those with new houses have it easier than you somehow? Or is there a factor that makes yo feel this way while raising kids? Material or otherwise?

[Anonymous]

20:07 - ITA, it is a prevalent attitude in this area.

[Anonymous]

I don't quite "get" the OP's point, either.

When I saw the thread title, I thought this would be a thread about how people think they are entitled to a brand new house or a nice house when they are paying $500,000, or $800,000. (Which is obviously not the case, in this area, for anyone who wants a remotely decent commute.)

[Anonymous]

I'm confused.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you are coming to grips with the meaning of the 9th/10th commandment.

It is not healthy to covet other people's things.

[Anonymous]

I'm in control of my own life and responsible for the ease of it. Why would my friend having a bigger kitchen or garage change that?

The whole idea of infringement is confusing. Unless I'm asking to move in or throw dinner parties there, I really don't see how it would be infringement.

[Anonymous]

Unless they are truly rich, and not just brand new rich, I think people who live in McMansions are a bit crazy. I always wonder what goes into the thinking behind buying a house that is WAY, WAAAAAAAY bigger than you need. Are you that committed to being one of the sheep that you'll just run out and make a MAJOR, MAJOR purchase that you really can't use just because everyone else is doing it? It is a truly bizarre trend, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Um, no. If I wasted my time being envious of every person who had more than I did, I would never get a moments peace.

[Anonymous]

sounds like either house envy or the subconscious desire to keep up with the Joneses. I'm a single mom and most of my friends are married. Nearly all have single-family houses, some in much nicer much closer-in areas. (I have a townhouse.) It can be hard sometimes not to feel like a loser by comparison, and occasionally I get pretty bad house envy, wishing my house was bigger or nicer. (It doesn't help that I'm from the midwest, where all my friends have these gorgeous, big houses for like $200K.)

That said, I never get jealous when they buy a very nice or very big house very far out. I wouldn't live in the exurbs for anything - I'd be miserable. (and I'm not a fan of mcmansions in general. I'd rather have a nice colonial or a cool, quirky bungalow with cool old architectural details.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I chose the word McMansion because that is what some people use. My friends with new houses all have very different houses. They work for them, but not necessarily for me.

But, do you figure those with new houses have it easier than you somehow? Or is there a factor that makes yo feel this way while raising kids? Material or otherwise?

I honestly have NO idea what you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I chose the word McMansion because that is what some people use. My friends with new houses all have very different houses. They work for them, but not necessarily for me.

But, do you figure those with new houses have it easier than you somehow? Or is there a factor that makes yo feel this way while raising kids? Material or otherwise?

I honestly have NO idea what you are talking about.

I would agree with this. OP's wierd vague posts are pretty much incomprehensible. But what I can gather is that she has some kind of McMansion and she thinks other people are jealous of her...? I think...?

[Anonymous]

Do I think its easier to cook in a large, fully equipped kitchen than my tiny gallery kitchen - yes. Do I treat my friends differently becaue they have a big kitchen? No. Do I feel the need to have a bigger kitchen? No. Do I drool a tiny bit when I visit them. Ok, a little.

So my guess is you have a nice, new home and you feel put upon in some way? Do people assume you will host all the get togethors or something?

Now I do know we have neighbors that hate new construction and possibly could resent anyone that lives in them. Is that what you mean?

[Anonymous]

I still don't understand this use of the word infringe.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I guess I'm not clear about my question. Maybe this is more in the direction of what I am trying to ask:

Do you think people with bigger houses have it easier than you?

Separate question: Would it make you feel "less guilty" about infringing (asking of their time, money, resources) upon someone with a bigger house?

I am not saying it is a logical correlation. Nor did I say I have a McMansion (I don't). Just wondering if some people feel this way, logical or not. It would have to be a rather candid response. I was wondering if it happened, would people admit to it?