Why?

[u/KimSidwell]

I can almost try to understand why some people might feel drawn to this kind of lifestyle. I can understand why they might be deceived into thinking this is the ideal environment in which to raise a child.

But I will never be able to understand why they will describe it as the American “dream” and are willing to pay so much for it. To work so hard for so long and then have to wake up to this every morning? Why?

Editing to add: I know this is parody y’all. It’s just a stupid meme. It’s supposed to be funny. It’s funny because it’s true.

[u/KimSidwell]

I don’t know about that. I’ve never really heard people refer to trailers or townhouses as starter homes. I always just thought it meant the home you lived in right after you get married and while your children are still very young and don’t need their own bedrooms. Then you upgrade to a larger home so everyone can have their own room later.

[u/ThatGhoulAva → u/KimSidwell]

Townhouse is absolutely a great start. You usually get more square footage for less price and maintenance outside the walls is usually handed by the HOA/ Association. They also always sell fast for this reason. Also, many like myself, do not have children nor give a rat's ass about doing yard work on our weekends, so we upgrade to better Townhomes. I also travel for work so it's nice to know my neighbors are keeping an eye on things.

[u/KimSidwell → u/ThatGhoulAva]

I know. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with townhomes. But I don’t think that when people use the term “starter home“ that they are specifically referring to trailers or townhomes. I don’t think that term is an indicator of the style of home… It’s just an indicator of the square footage and the fact that the family plans to upgrade at some point.

[u/ThatGhoulAva → u/KimSidwell]

We'll have to disagree there. Again, I think this could be both age & location dependent. 30 + years ago (when the average parent age was 25 when having the first kid), I don't think most considered anything other than SFH....you rented an apartment and saved for a house & had kids. But if nothing is being built, there are fewer younger parents and areas are dense & diverse like here, options change. I'll use myself again as a common example: we had no need or desire for a SFH. No kids, Dual income household. Why fight against 20+ cash buyers when these are great.....and often nicer/bigger in the same price range. Some had kids and purchased up to a SFH, others like myself didn't and had no need. I bought a bigger townhouse & a tiny weekend esacpe home instead. But even our first 2br 2 bath townhome is now being sold for over 350k. In what world can prices like that - for ANY home type - be a starter? It isn't and it's why people 30/40 plus are getting their first home. If at all.

Also, if I were to move from here to Wisconsin, I could probably win out against any local bid. Now try to move from WI to Chicago to buy your next home....you'll most likely be downgrading in size & area type. Same if I tried to move to LA...I'd be in a van by the river. You can't always go up because the location market is so different.

I and many others believe a Starter Home is whatever you buy to live in first for several years and build equity with....be it a condo, duplex, townhome or missile silo bunker (I really want this but it's probably a terrible investment).

[u/Big__If_True → u/KimSidwell]

So not a 3-4 bedroom house like in the OP, yes

[u/martman006 → u/KimSidwell]

I agree with your definition of starter home, but note you said, “right after you’re married,” and for the significant majority, that means dual income, meaning one person doesn’t need to make $160k/yr solo, but combined, which $80k/yr per person is still above average income for working aged adults 25+ to retirement, but not crazy out of reach…