It's time to rethink the single-family home as the American dream, author says

[FakeNoose]

19. If developers refused to build low-cost AFFORDABLE housing

... how is that the fault of the struggling American middle class? Most of us can barely call ourselves middle class anymore. Developers keep on building McMansions that are out of reach for most of us.

Luckily I am a home-owner, only because I saw the problem years ago and realized that I would never be able to afford a McMansion. I lowered my expectations and found a nice smaller house in an older neighborhood in the inner-city (Pittsburgh) that was almost 60 years old. Now 25 years later my mortgage is almost paid off and thankfully the property values in my area haven't eroded.

My suburban-living friends think I'm crazy. I grew up in all-white neighborhoods of the suburbs, but I'm content living in an older city neighborhood that's 50% black and 50% white. It's perfectly safe, friendly and convenient. Plus it's the only thing I can afford. I'd rather buy than rent or live off my parents, and this is how I was able to do it.

Meanwhile those big new houses in the suburbs are sitting empty and unsold.