What is a McMansion?
#62
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 7,344
Re: What is a McMansion?
Oh, thanks - I'll see if it works on cats.
#63
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: What is a McMansion?
I've got one. There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that can count in binary and those that can't
#66
Re: What is a McMansion?
I've just been in California and they have plenty of this kind of stuff over there too. I guess they invented it. I think they do a better job of it though. It seems a bit classier over there, with a bit more space around each house. I think some of the stuff people on here are referring to as McMansions are not really McMansions, they are just crap, sterile, 4x2 Legoland. If building Legoland was an olympic sport, Australia would get gold every time.
#67
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,555
Re: What is a McMansion?
OK I am the snob here and hate the average Mc Mansion because of their droll aesthetics. They rival mock tudor for taste. I think the poltergeist played up in that film because it hated the look of the house. Ionic columns look great on the parthenon but not at number 5a calmwater crescent. The other feature that makes me wonder about poor taste is the triple garage taking up two thirds of the house frontage. Do they want to tell the whole neighbourhood they have a massive 4WD they cannot afford to fill up because of their mortgage and petrol prices? And why the f8ck to people want their bedroom one metre from their neighbours bathroom so they can hear their morning dump?
Did I answer the question?
Did I answer the question?
#68
Re: What is a McMansion?
The estates in the western suburbs of Melbourne are often on flat, dry land. Developers do not clear trees from land if they can help it. They try and keep as much green as they can. The problem with certain estates is that they were on cleared land to start with so it takes a few years to get a greener, established look to it.
There are some very well planned estates around with lots of trees and facilities. I think Caroline Springs in the west is popular and well designed from what I have seen of it on television ads.
Friends of ours live in the Sandhurst Estate which is a golf course estate in south east Melbourne.
http://www.sandhurst.com/default.aspx
This would be a typical house on their estate: http://www.sandhurst.com/residential_landforsale.aspx
It is very green as they use recycled water and most of the houses look over the golf course. It is well designed and has bike tracks all around the entire estate. It also has a huge club house and restaurant. Yes, the houses are huge but they have enough land for a pool and garden.
The problem with living there though is that you are cut off from public transport, shops etc. They have to get into a car to go anywhere. I prefer to live in a suburb which has a train line and local shopping village but if people want a big, new house than compromises usually have to be made in terms of location. Ten years ago it was relatively easy to buy a block of land in a nice established suburb, demolish the old house and build new which is what we did. Today the price of land is many areas makes this hard to do.
There are some very well planned estates around with lots of trees and facilities. I think Caroline Springs in the west is popular and well designed from what I have seen of it on television ads.
Friends of ours live in the Sandhurst Estate which is a golf course estate in south east Melbourne.
http://www.sandhurst.com/default.aspx
This would be a typical house on their estate: http://www.sandhurst.com/residential_landforsale.aspx
It is very green as they use recycled water and most of the houses look over the golf course. It is well designed and has bike tracks all around the entire estate. It also has a huge club house and restaurant. Yes, the houses are huge but they have enough land for a pool and garden.
The problem with living there though is that you are cut off from public transport, shops etc. They have to get into a car to go anywhere. I prefer to live in a suburb which has a train line and local shopping village but if people want a big, new house than compromises usually have to be made in terms of location. Ten years ago it was relatively easy to buy a block of land in a nice established suburb, demolish the old house and build new which is what we did. Today the price of land is many areas makes this hard to do.
- CDM
#69
Re: What is a McMansion?
Yeah, its basically Cranbourne which is a fairly long way out. An hour easy in peak. Not sure about trains there either...
#70
Re: What is a McMansion?
New estates certainly aren't for everyone and I know that there's no one really slagging them off in this particular thread but there is a lot of snobbery on this forum on this subject and personally it really does my head in.
There's a few people on BE who seem to have made their mission in life to discourage others from looking West and /or at new estates in Melbourne and I wish they'd just can it. By all means, tell all who ask how great where you live is, but don't try to tell them how bad mine is 'cause I'm pretty darned happy, and so are many thousands of others. OK, rant over.
We all make a choice as to where and how we live and so long as we're all happy with those choices why feel the need to put down others' choices??????????[/QUOTE]
Well said lovey.
There's a few people on BE who seem to have made their mission in life to discourage others from looking West and /or at new estates in Melbourne and I wish they'd just can it. By all means, tell all who ask how great where you live is, but don't try to tell them how bad mine is 'cause I'm pretty darned happy, and so are many thousands of others. OK, rant over.
We all make a choice as to where and how we live and so long as we're all happy with those choices why feel the need to put down others' choices??????????[/QUOTE]
Well said lovey.
#72
Re: What is a McMansion?
I actually thing theres reverse snobbery and those of us that don't have a new build asked "why not"?!?!
I suppose its all about perspective and I certainly don't mean to offend or come across as snobby, but like anyone I'm entitled to my opinion
#74
Re: What is a McMansion?
Cheers chick.
Have to ask though(for friendship sake), when you visit my new McMansion can you lie and say that ours is far more than just ordinary sterile.
[/QUOTE]
I think The Chase looks much nicer than many new estates - at least you have some nice countryside bordering your plots - that makes a big difference. And if my house burns down in this summer's bush fires, I won't be too upset upgrading to a McMansion on our plot of land
I think this thread has served a purpose in showing the overall environment of SOME of the estates. I was very disappointed when I arrived here, as I liked the look of some of the McMansions, only to see them crammed into tiny plots etc. I could have saved myself some time! You know I'm a closet tree-hugger
Also having rented one for 5 months made us realise it wasn't the environment for us. But, like many have said - and I agree with - who cares where people live and what suits them - if they're happy that's great
P.S. You've seen our house, so you know I'm no snob
Have to ask though(for friendship sake), when you visit my new McMansion can you lie and say that ours is far more than just ordinary sterile.
[/QUOTE]
I think The Chase looks much nicer than many new estates - at least you have some nice countryside bordering your plots - that makes a big difference. And if my house burns down in this summer's bush fires, I won't be too upset upgrading to a McMansion on our plot of land
I think this thread has served a purpose in showing the overall environment of SOME of the estates. I was very disappointed when I arrived here, as I liked the look of some of the McMansions, only to see them crammed into tiny plots etc. I could have saved myself some time! You know I'm a closet tree-hugger
Also having rented one for 5 months made us realise it wasn't the environment for us. But, like many have said - and I agree with - who cares where people live and what suits them - if they're happy that's great
P.S. You've seen our house, so you know I'm no snob
#75
Re: What is a McMansion?
I think The Chase looks much nicer than many new estates - at least you have some nice countryside bordering your plots - that makes a big difference. (quote)
Dfo, and fingers crossed that it stays that way , as lol I don't reckon Rich and our finances could handle another move.
See you tomorrow mate, for that common night in!
Dfo, and fingers crossed that it stays that way , as lol I don't reckon Rich and our finances could handle another move.
See you tomorrow mate, for that common night in!