Homes Mcmansions Small People House Large Live Built

There are two "opposing" (very different from each other) "trends" (popular ways of doing something) in new "residential" (related to homes, not businesses) "construction" (building) in the United States: McMansions and the small house movement.

A "McMansion" is a "pejorative" (negative and insulting) "term" (word) for very large new homes that are built in new "developments" (areas where many homes are being built for the first time) where all the homes look "alike" (the same). McMansions are much larger than "typical" (usual; ordinary) homes in the area. They usually have more than one floor, with many bedrooms, an office, a family room, and a "bonus room" (an extra room, often used for electronics or play). McMansions normally have two or more large garages, "granite" (expensive, beautiful rock) countertops, and "stainless steel" (shiny, silver-colored) "appliances" (large machines in a home, like refrigerators and stoves).

Although some people like McMansions and save their money to buy one, other people are taking the opposite approach and joining the "small house movement." They want to minimize their "impact" (effect; influence) on the environment and save money by living in "extremely" (very) small houses. Some of these homes are so small that only one person can live there. They usually have only one bedroom, or the entire home is one large room. People have to "downsize" (sell or get rid of the things one owns) to be able to live there, but they say this "simplifies" (makes easier and clearer) their life and lets them focus on what is really important, such as family and friends. Because small homes are less expensive and easier to maintain, the people who live there do not need as much money, so they can work less and focus on what they enjoy doing.