50 States of McMansion Hell: Fairfax and Loudoun County, Virginia

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

Sorry Ms. Feminista

And yeah, again that’s their choice. Why invest so much energy into something that doesn’t impact your life. The gi...err woman who writes this just comes across as sad and desperate. I’d never even want a home like this, but if people want to spend money on these giant wastes of space, good on them.

NP but if you don't realize that sustainability, community, and segregation impact lives outside of the homeowners, you're a very shallow thinker.

I don't like any of the houses the blog mocks and it's fun to poke fun at the houses and speculate how people can have so much money and so bad taste at the same time.

But your comments about sustainability, community and segregation are just as cringeworthy as any badly designed McMansion. And accusing people of being shallow thinkers for not meeting your self-imposed standards and introducing an unnecessary (and highly dubious) morality is also quite cringeworthy. I have a feeling I'd probably enjoy the company of the owners of these McMansions than you and I'm someone who'd far rather live in a small rowhouse in the city and walk everywhere than have 10k sqft.

This comment is a mess. I'm not the first person who commented about sustainability. I was replying to the "Ms. Feminista" poster saying, in response to a comment about "sustainability, community, and segregation,": well, that's their choice, why do you care if it doesn't affect you.

The rest ... like I said, this is a mess. If I understand logic (issues of community affect more than a single homeowner) then I'm telling people to "meet[ my] self-imposed standards"? No, I'm using straight logic. Community, sustainability, and segregation do affect more than the homeowner. If you would like to make a case that the first PP (and blog author) are wrong that McMansions negatively impact those issues, feel free. But trying to sound superior by defending poor reasoning isn't working for you.

The comment isn't a mess. It's quite straightforward. You (presumably it was you) who dictated that "community, sustainability and segregation" were moral issues and the owners of the McMansions were to be judged for clearly failing to meet your standards on these three issues.

They're your issues, not other people. Take the segregation one, for example. How are these McMansions contributing to segregation? I imagine the owners of McMansions are a rather diverse bunch given that quite a few of them in NOVA are owned by non-whites. Sustainability? They're new houses and likely are much more energy efficient than most older houses. Community? Highly subjective. I've lived in both suburbia and dense urban areas and the best sense of community I ever had was the cul-de-sac. In my urban neighborhoods in London and DC and New York I never knew any of my neighbors.

I suspect you resent people pointing out that imposing these meaningless standards is shallow and judgmental, for you are being judgmental through applying standards that you came up with and which are not uniformly accepted or believed in.

Straightforward is not your forte, I see. Again, that was first PP, and even she attributed the argument itself to the blogger. She said "the blogger focuses on broader problems with McMansions," the OP of this subthread said, "so what, that's their choice, it doesn't impact you" (not disagreeing with the assertions, just brushing them aside as none of first PP's business) and I said, "all of those issues would, in fact, impact people other than the homeowner."

I just don't like ugly houses or people who can't follow (or make) a coherent logical argument. Since I didn't impose any meaningless standards, literally only said "yes, issues of community or segregation affect more than one person," your presumption of my resentment still makes no sense.

So because you think a house is ugly, that means they have no argument?

Also, wtf do McMansions have to do with segregation? Segregation of whom exactly? Because more POC own those McMansion than white people do in this area.

No, dimwit, because you are repeatedly attributing to me an argument I did not make. Go ask the person who ties your shoes to read the thread and explain it to you, I'm tired of holding your hand.

NP here. I too was confused when you mentioned segregation. What does that have to do with this at all?

I. DID. NOT. BRING. UP. SEGREGATION.

Jesus Christ.

Yes you did.

NP but if you don't realize that sustainability, community, and segregation impact lives outside of the homeowners, you're a very shallow thinker.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

Sorry Ms. Feminista

And yeah, again that’s their choice. Why invest so much energy into something that doesn’t impact your life. The gi...err woman who writes this just comes across as sad and desperate. I’d never even want a home like this, but if people want to spend money on these giant wastes of space, good on them.

NP but if you don't realize that sustainability, community, and segregation impact lives outside of the homeowners, you're a very shallow thinker.

I don't like any of the houses the blog mocks and it's fun to poke fun at the houses and speculate how people can have so much money and so bad taste at the same time.

But your comments about sustainability, community and segregation are just as cringeworthy as any badly designed McMansion. And accusing people of being shallow thinkers for not meeting your self-imposed standards and introducing an unnecessary (and highly dubious) morality is also quite cringeworthy. I have a feeling I'd probably enjoy the company of the owners of these McMansions than you and I'm someone who'd far rather live in a small rowhouse in the city and walk everywhere than have 10k sqft.

This comment is a mess. I'm not the first person who commented about sustainability. I was replying to the "Ms. Feminista" poster saying, in response to a comment about "sustainability, community, and segregation,": well, that's their choice, why do you care if it doesn't affect you.

The rest ... like I said, this is a mess. If I understand logic (issues of community affect more than a single homeowner) then I'm telling people to "meet[ my] self-imposed standards"? No, I'm using straight logic. Community, sustainability, and segregation do affect more than the homeowner. If you would like to make a case that the first PP (and blog author) are wrong that McMansions negatively impact those issues, feel free. But trying to sound superior by defending poor reasoning isn't working for you.

The comment isn't a mess. It's quite straightforward. You (presumably it was you) who dictated that "community, sustainability and segregation" were moral issues and the owners of the McMansions were to be judged for clearly failing to meet your standards on these three issues.

They're your issues, not other people. Take the segregation one, for example. How are these McMansions contributing to segregation? I imagine the owners of McMansions are a rather diverse bunch given that quite a few of them in NOVA are owned by non-whites. Sustainability? They're new houses and likely are much more energy efficient than most older houses. Community? Highly subjective. I've lived in both suburbia and dense urban areas and the best sense of community I ever had was the cul-de-sac. In my urban neighborhoods in London and DC and New York I never knew any of my neighbors.

I suspect you resent people pointing out that imposing these meaningless standards is shallow and judgmental, for you are being judgmental through applying standards that you came up with and which are not uniformly accepted or believed in.

Straightforward is not your forte, I see. Again, that was first PP, and even she attributed the argument itself to the blogger. She said "the blogger focuses on broader problems with McMansions," the OP of this subthread said, "so what, that's their choice, it doesn't impact you" (not disagreeing with the assertions, just brushing them aside as none of first PP's business) and I said, "all of those issues would, in fact, impact people other than the homeowner."

I just don't like ugly houses or people who can't follow (or make) a coherent logical argument. Since I didn't impose any meaningless standards, literally only said "yes, issues of community or segregation affect more than one person," your presumption of my resentment still makes no sense.

So because you think a house is ugly, that means they have no argument?

Also, wtf do McMansions have to do with segregation? Segregation of whom exactly? Because more POC own those McMansion than white people do in this area.

No, dimwit, because you are repeatedly attributing to me an argument I did not make. Go ask the person who ties your shoes to read the thread and explain it to you, I'm tired of holding your hand.

NP here. I too was confused when you mentioned segregation. What does that have to do with this at all?

I. DID. NOT. BRING. UP. SEGREGATION.

Jesus Christ.

Yes you did.

NP but if you don't realize that sustainability, community, and segregation impact lives outside of the homeowners, you're a very shallow thinker.

Scroll up two comments from what you just quoted. It was brought up by a PP who said those three things are a focus of the blog. The "Ms. Feminista" person responded that it's all personal choice and doesn't affect complainers.

My comment was that the three things BROUGHT UP BY A PP (and again, attributed by that PP to the blogger) do, in fact, affect people other than the homeowner, and failing to realize that is shallow thinking. That is not bringing up the topic. That is pointing out that "undermines community = doesn't affect anyone else" is a logic fail. That's why my comment freaking started with NP - to point out I'm not the person who brought it up.

[Anonymous]

Oh, my bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But these people evidently have tons of money and can't hire a decent architect.

Have you thought about the possibility that the architects they used had better sense and taste than you do and your just thinking of your shitty taste too highly?

No seriously, which one is yours? No matter which one, you have a crappy taste!

[Anonymous]

All of you seem quite immature and pretentious

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All of you seem quite immature and pretentious

+1

sad to see so many who can’t handle views that differ from their own

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

I always envision her editing these pics with her comments and laughing hysterically to herself out loud in her studio apartment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

DP. Interesting that she can criticize but not correct. Seems childlike to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

I always envision her editing these pics with her comments and laughing hysterically to herself out loud in her studio apartment.

That she shares with three cars and a rescued Greyhound.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The girl who makes this site is uber annoying. I’m not a fan of oversized McMansions either, but let people live and like what they like.

She's a woman, not a child. Her writing focus is not just aesthetic - but how these homes lack sustainability, undermine sense of community, and exacerbate de facto housing segregation.

Sorry Ms. Feminista

And yeah, again that’s their choice. Why invest so much energy into something that doesn’t impact your life. The gi...err woman who writes this just comes across as sad and desperate. I’d never even want a home like this, but if people want to spend money on these giant wastes of space, good on them.

NP but if you don't realize that sustainability, community, and segregation impact lives outside of the homeowners, you're a very shallow thinker.

I don't like any of the houses the blog mocks and it's fun to poke fun at the houses and speculate how people can have so much money and so bad taste at the same time.

But your comments about sustainability, community and segregation are just as cringeworthy as any badly designed McMansion. And accusing people of being shallow thinkers for not meeting your self-imposed standards and introducing an unnecessary (and highly dubious) morality is also quite cringeworthy. I have a feeling I'd probably enjoy the company of the owners of these McMansions than you and I'm someone who'd far rather live in a small rowhouse in the city and walk everywhere than have 10k sqft.

This comment is a mess. I'm not the first person who commented about sustainability. I was replying to the "Ms. Feminista" poster saying, in response to a comment about "sustainability, community, and segregation,": well, that's their choice, why do you care if it doesn't affect you.

The rest ... like I said, this is a mess. If I understand logic (issues of community affect more than a single homeowner) then I'm telling people to "meet[ my] self-imposed standards"? No, I'm using straight logic. Community, sustainability, and segregation do affect more than the homeowner. If you would like to make a case that the first PP (and blog author) are wrong that McMansions negatively impact those issues, feel free. But trying to sound superior by defending poor reasoning isn't working for you.

The comment isn't a mess. It's quite straightforward. You (presumably it was you) who dictated that "community, sustainability and segregation" were moral issues and the owners of the McMansions were to be judged for clearly failing to meet your standards on these three issues.

They're your issues, not other people. Take the segregation one, for example. How are these McMansions contributing to segregation? I imagine the owners of McMansions are a rather diverse bunch given that quite a few of them in NOVA are owned by non-whites. Sustainability? They're new houses and likely are much more energy efficient than most older houses. Community? Highly subjective. I've lived in both suburbia and dense urban areas and the best sense of community I ever had was the cul-de-sac. In my urban neighborhoods in London and DC and New York I never knew any of my neighbors.

I suspect you resent people pointing out that imposing these meaningless standards is shallow and judgmental, for you are being judgmental through applying standards that you came up with and which are not uniformly accepted or believed in.

Straightforward is not your forte, I see. Again, that was first PP, and even she attributed the argument itself to the blogger. She said "the blogger focuses on broader problems with McMansions," the OP of this subthread said, "so what, that's their choice, it doesn't impact you" (not disagreeing with the assertions, just brushing them aside as none of first PP's business) and I said, "all of those issues would, in fact, impact people other than the homeowner."

I just don't like ugly houses or people who can't follow (or make) a coherent logical argument. Since I didn't impose any meaningless standards, literally only said "yes, issues of community or segregation affect more than one person," your presumption of my resentment still makes no sense.

So because you think a house is ugly, that means they have no argument?

Also, wtf do McMansions have to do with segregation? Segregation of whom exactly? Because more POC own those McMansion than white people do in this area.

No, dimwit, because you are repeatedly attributing to me an argument I did not make. Go ask the person who ties your shoes to read the thread and explain it to you, I'm tired of holding your hand.

NP here. I too was confused when you mentioned segregation. What does that have to do with this at all?

I. DID. NOT. BRING. UP. SEGREGATION.

Jesus Christ.

Yes you did.

NP but if you don't realize that sustainability, community, and segregation impact lives outside of the homeowners, you're a very shallow thinker.

The only thing these houses are segregated from is good taste.
Take yiur ace to grind elsewhere, given that many POC and emu greed buy these homes just like others with no taste.

[Anonymous]

^^Take your ax to grind elsewhere, given that many POC and immigrants buy these homes just like others with no taste.

[Anonymous]

We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

[Anonymous]

If you live in NOVA you'd already know there's plenty of cramped infills of 3-4k sqft houses jammed on tiny lots. What is your point?

A few places like that often not in the best locations. Still plenty of big mcmansions in places where, with looser zoning, it would be different.

Rich people have always built big new houses. This is nothing new. Remember the robber barons?

American real estate isn't meant to be a socialist dream where you tell other people the morally correct way to live. Never has been and never will be.

Socialist? I want less zoning restrictions. More freedom to do with your property as you like (including THs or apts) MORE CAPITALISM!

Its SFH only zoning that tells other people how to live. That limits the free market.

Anyway, these good homeowners of Great Falls and Potomac are already taking big depreciation on their home values.

I guess I was thinking more about places like Bethesda, Arlington, Falls Church and Mclean.

[Anonymous]

Yup immigrant hate. If you can't beat them, joint them...except most complainers can't join them....insufficient $$ in the bank.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are local custom builders and we employ a licensed AIA architect who cuts up designs just like these. Some are spec homes, others are where our homeowner clients comes to us and then sits down with this architect to design the plan. So the argument that builders just use a "draftsman/CAD operator" is just BS. The fact most don't want to face is these homes sell because they are large and spacious and that is why architects design them and we build them. I don't see this changing anytime soon..

Supply and demand....Agree with the PP builder. The DMV like any other metro area is diverse with funds to construct large homes, etc. While we live in a modest "tear down" neighborhood, we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to dumping our home soon. The 1200 sqft ramber across from us just sold for $850K in one week with zero contingencies - for the lot only. We purchased our 3/4 acre lot with the home in 2004 for $220K. We get offers all the time for our property. The newer larger homes the McMansion Hell author and others are whinning about does not resonate with us. There is so much economic benefit from all of this - increased tax base, construction jobs, investment in the community, and of course more $$ in our pocket to take our $850K (mostly tax free of course) elsewhere and prosper!! Bunch of idiots you are!!!