My parents did because they can and they wanted one. Was it smart or practical? Not really. But they are elated with their purchase and can afford to pivot if necessary. So enjoy it while they can I guess.

We retired to a house nearly three times that size, with 6 bedrooms. Why not? It has room for family and friends, and can accomodate live-in help, should we want that at some point. It has an elevator, and room in the garage to easily allow for a wheelchair ramp if ever needed, with plenty of room leftover for several cars to continue to park inside. The space allows for hobbies which keep us active, like a dedicated golf simulator space, and we each have plenty of privacy when we want it.

It's not a lifetime commitment, it's a lifestyle choice, and when the time comes that we need or want a different environment we'll sell it.

Not everybody needs or wants to be restricted to small spaces, at any stage of life.

home size is not always issue. My new empty Nestor neighbor downsized into same sized house, they were in a 4,000 sf house on two acres with a pool further out in Potomac and moved to a 4,000 sf on a 1/2 acre no pool walking distance village.

They wanted less land to maintain and be closer to stores and doctors but same size house

So they can say to their clueless, new neighbors, "Yeah, we like it considering it's a retirement home."

Anonymous wrote:I'm in my 60s and our summer house is nearly that big. We have non-stop guests and adult kids there frequently. When 7-8 people are there it feels small. When it is just us, we just close bedroom doors and it's fine.

Ok, what about not in a desirable vacation location then?

OP here. I’m not in DC.

Not on a golf course. A nice neighborhood but the area itself isn’t competitive.

It’s nice, move in ready, $760,000, 4000 sq ft, 3 levels. Up and coming area, for families I’d think…not desirable for retirees (not like Williamsburg or something).

Anonymous wrote:There aren’t any updated one story, 4,000 sq ft four bedroom homes.

Signed,
Looking for the holy grail

Maybe in Arizona? One of my friends lives in a huge single level house in Scottsdale.

I'm in my 60s and our summer house is nearly that big. We have non-stop guests and adult kids there frequently. When 7-8 people are there it feels small. When it is just us, we just close bedroom doors and it's fine.

There aren’t any updated one story, 4,000 sq ft four bedroom homes.

Signed,
Looking for the holy grail

My dad did this. Loved his big house on the golf course for more than 2 decades.

Why should they get it?

Lots of visits by adult children with kids? They always wanted a big house and now they can finally afford to buy one?

One friend of mine did this, she and her dh had adult kids from previous marriages so wanted to have enough space for them to visit. Two ended up moving in during the pandemic, so it worked out for a while.

Maybe it has to do with the neighborhood? They like the area and only offer large houses?
Just one reason, possibly.

Because they can?

I’m just curious as to WHY someone in their 70s would need or want a 4000 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 3 level house.

I know there are outliers: grandkids live with them, frequent visitors, but why would anyone without kids want a house so large?