Sick of the upper class bashing

[ducklite]

Crankyshank's house is more like what we refer to when we say McMansions. It is way too big for the lot. It looks like it needs to be on about 10 acres with a gate. It is just out of place and obnoxious in that neighborhood.

We have one of those in my neighborhood. It's the largest house in the neighborhood, built on the smallest lot. It truly has less than 10 feet from the far end of the pool to the rear property line. It's got exactly ten feet on each side to the property line, and maybe 15 feet from the garage to the sidewalk. It's not only a very tall house, but also very imposing in style. On one side is a similar home but on a roomy double lot, on the other side is a smaller home that "fits" the neighborhood nicely.

It was built on spec at the height of the market here, and has been for sale for over a year. Due to the lack of yard, the fact that it's on top of not only the houses to either side but also the one behind it, I think it will end up selling for a loss.

Here's a photo of it...they've coveniently made sure you can't see how close it is to surrounding properties.

ETA: here's a photo looking down at the pool from teh balcony off an upstairs bedroom--you can see the fence and rock past that, that is the rear property line!

 

[tropical depression]

it was a polite stab at sarcasm. when I really go for it, I get docked points around here.

 

[wvjules]

Upper class = greater than $340,000
Middle class = ? - $340,000
Lower class = ?

I don't think I want to be in a class. I'm just a single mom going to work every day to provide for my family.

 

[connorlevismom]

Do you mean like the neighbors at work who both drive a lexus, stop in at work about two hours a day and only pay their employee about 8 dollars an hour? The person who is actualy making all the money for them...

And when the other employee was diagnosed with cancer she was soon fired because she could not manage enough work hours while doing chemo and everything else.

Great people...

How about the other neighbors that charge so much for services that they have three houses, two planes etc... All because when people need their heat fixed in the middle of winter they must pay whatever it takes to get someone out to the house soon.

I do not think I know any of these nice rich people that you know.

How about the realtors that charge thousands per sale but nitpick my services for $25 off of a $300 bill. Or they go somehwere else. usually to a firm that does not have insurance like we have to pay for.

Mikeeee

Actually, those are not the people I am talking about and clearly you have an issue with these people you mention. But that does not mean that all people with money are like that and I am sorry that you know absolutely no nice rich people. My sister would be considered rich and she is one of the kindest, most generous people I know. But she lives in a big house and drives a nice car so I guess that makes her a beotch anyway. I just don't get it.

Kristine

 

[connorlevismom]

it was a polite stab at sarcasm. when I really go for it, I get docked points around here.

Got it.

Kristine

 

[mickeyfan2]

So then you are OK with children getting health insurance even if their parents are above the poverty level and don't qualify for medicaid but can't afford it on their own? B/c I'm pretty certain children truly can not help themselves when it comes to those matters.

Sure I live in PA and we have the CHIPS program. I am already paying for that. I am fine with that program too.









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Can somebody tell me what the income definitions are of poor, working, middle and upper class are?

 

[ducklite]

Don't be too certain about that.

I don't qualify for any help. But, I cannot afford health insurance. I do not live beyond my means. I just have expenses such as $8 for a bottle of soap (no other choice), allergy medicine (OTC), etc that leaves very little if any money over from my paycheck.

I also know families that make just over the poverty limit but can't afford anything extra. One family the husband makes too much and the wife cannot work for medical reasons. The don't own a house, drive a single beat up old car, don't go out to dinner unless others are paying, buy the generic food at the cheapest grocery stores, etc. they do not live beyond their means. But expenses for her medical problems and expenses for all 3 kids keep them living pretty poorly.

Is there a reason that he can't work a second job? WOrking p/t at UPS 15 hours a week gives you full time benefits. I'm not saying it's something everyone can do--but it seems that a lot of people saying they can't aren't really looking at every option. I am sure that some people fall through the cracks. But my guess is that many of them think that life should be one job, weekends set aside for family, etc.

BTW--I was a single mom as well, and for years I had no insurance for me but was able to scrape together what was $25 (15-20 years ago) to buy into the state program for DS. For my health care I went to a crappy community clinic in a crappy part of town that charged sliding scale fees. They also had a pharmacy with sliding scale costs on prescriptions.

 

[tropical depression]

Gee I wonder why you feel this way? And yes I agree.

damn Gator fans show up everywhere

 

[MushyMushy]

We have one of those in my neighborhood. It's the largest house in the neighborhood, built on the smallest lot. It truly has less than 10 feet from the far end of the pool to the rear property line. It's got exactly ten feet on each side to the property line, and maybe 15 feet from the garage to the sidewalk. It's not only a very tall house, but also very imposing in style. On one side is a similar home but on a roomy double lot, on the other side is a smaller home that "fits" the neighborhood nicely.

It was built on spec at the height of the market here, and has been for sale for over a year. Due to the lack of yard, the fact that it's on top of not only the houses to either side but also the one behind it, I think it will end up selling for a loss.

Here's a photo of it...they've coveniently made sure you can't see how close it is to surrounding properties.

ETA: here's a photo looking down at the pool from teh balcony off an upstairs bedroom--you can see the fence and rock past that, that is the rear property line!

It still has more yard than what we bought.

I don't care. Call me classless, call me tasteless, call me white trash. But I'd live in that house for the pool alone.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Mother Theresa has been safe as well, unless I missed that thread...

Well Catholics get bashed all the time and Mother Theresa is Catholic. I do remember a poster once saying that they did not like her because of something she did in Haiti wrt the Haitian government.

 

[talulabelle]

THAT'S a McMansion? Oh my goodness, in my neck of the woods, something that size is a starter home. And FWIW, the 1800 - 1900 era Victorian mansions in our downtown area are closer together than that.

Exactly what is the definition besides a large house on a small lot? How large a house? What is the minimum sq. footage to be determined a McMansion? What size is the lot? Is it determined by price, ie: above poster made mention of $550,000 ?

My definition of McMansion has been the large houses that are not built that well, and look like everyother house in the neighborhood (cookiecutter). They dont have brick or stone, but vinal siding or "fake" cement stamped on stone. The builders skimp on the materials to be able to afford the size that the buyer wants. They have concrete instead of brick walks.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

But my guess is that many of them think that life should be one job, weekends set aside for family, etc.

Is that such a horrible thing to aspire to? You get one life. At least a few minutes of it should be spent with your family.

I guess I don't see the glory in sacrificing your life and happiness for a few extra dollars and an earlier grave.

 

[mickeyfan2]

probably not.

But if it will make you feel special, we'll call it one.

Thanks!!!!

 

[mickeyfan2]

The mere mention of "acres" completely takes you out of the McMansion category

I was getting worried that I now lived in a McMansion. Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Cass]

Actually, I find just the opposite to be true. Those living paycheck-to-paycheck (or worse) seem to be ragged on the most.

I agree, I am trying hard to think of an 'upper class bashing' thread that I've seen and I'm coming up blank.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I do not think I know any of these nice rich people that you know.

Oh I know plenty of nice rich people. We have more than a few of the "Millionaire Next Door" types in our neighborhood. Just nice solid people ...

Money doesn't make you nice or not nice. That would be personality. Some people are just severely lacking in that department.

 

[liberalmouse]

Exactly! The true "upper class" wouldn't be caught dead in a McMansion tract home. I'd think they'd prefer a custom home.

Don't be so sure about that.

From what has been defined, I definitely live in the midst of McMansionville. Half million dollar+, 2500sq ft (not including basement) homes on quarter acre lots. Our best friends live in the neighborhood. They are in the beyond rich stratosphere. We're talking trust fund bigger than Paris Hilton's reported net worth. We're talking museum wings named after relatives back east.

Yet, they are the nicest, most down-to-earth people you could ever meet. School needs something, they send in a check, and they don't tell anybody about it. They are constantly giving back to the community, but never speaking about it. Unless you were very close to them, you would never know.

Kids go to the public school, she is a sahm very involved in the PTA, etc. They drive luxury cars, but several years old.

And they live in a tract-home in McMansionville.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Is there a reason that he can't work a second job? WOrking p/t at UPS 15 hours a week gives you full time benefits. I'm not saying it's something everyone can do--but it seems that a lot of people saying they can't aren't really looking at every option. I am sure that some people fall through the cracks. But my guess is that many of them think that life should be one job, weekends set aside for family, etc.

BTW--I was a single mom as well, and for years I had no insurance for me but was able to scrape together what was $25 (15-20 years ago) to buy into the state program for DS. For my health care I went to a crappy community clinic in a crappy part of town that charged sliding scale fees. They also had a pharmacy with sliding scale costs on prescriptions.

Holy crap. Working people who struggle aren't allowed lives. And then we follow it up with...look at how I struggled.

damn Gator fans show up everywhere

Well the Gator Nation IS everywhere.

 

[hydster]

Can somebody tell me what the income definitions are of poor, working, middle and upper class are?

I know it's wikipedia but here is how it is defined there

Capitalist Class - Incomes over $500,000.00 and higher. Subclass of the Super Rich which make $350 million a year like celebrities, high power politicians etc and The Rich which have a net worth of over a million. In 2005 roughly 1% of Americans fell into this category.

Upper Middle Class - Incomes from the very high 5 figures to over $100,000 yr. Roughly 15% fell here.

Lower Middle Class - Incomes between $35,000 to $75,000.00 per year. Roughly 32% fell here.

Working Class - Incomes between $16,000 to $30,000.00 per year. Roughly 32% fell here as well.

Working Poor or Underclass - Incomes less than $16,000.00 per year and reliant on government aid. Roughly 20% fell here.

 

[lillygator]

damn Gator fans show up everywhere

ya think it has anything to do with Gator NATION?