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I was in Mexico not too long ago at a friend's hacienda. Our conversation turned towards the frequency of multi-generational housing arrangements in Mexico vers
by lurquer 9y ago
I was in Mexico not too long ago at a friend's hacienda. Our conversation turned towards the frequency of multi-generational housing arrangements in Mexico versus the U.S. His explanation? Trees. The U.S. has always had an abundance of cheap lumber. Not so in Mexico. Consequently, houses are built of stone (or, more recently, cinder block) in Mexico. They have the potential to last centuries. The U.S. houses, on the other hand, are stick-frame wooden structures that won't last even the lifespan of the owner.
The upshot is that there is no great attachment to the home in which you were raised for an American; it will be eaten by termites or blown over in a storm long before your kids are born.
In Mexico, though, the house in which you were raised will be standing long after your parents are gone. And, if you stand to inherit it, there's no point in moving out.
Just one of many factors, of course. But, I enjoyed his immediate answer... it was very obvious to him.
- lsiunsuex 9y ago> The U.S. houses, on the other hand, are stick-frame wooden structures that won't last even the lifespan of the owner. I'm... confused about this. Our house was built in 1912 making it about 106 years old now. Sure - things have needed to be upgraded - gas lamps to fuses to breaker panel; single pane windows to double hung double pane; coal heating to gas furnace, etc... but the frame is still solid. Nothing is 16 inches on center, hahahaha (hahah :( ), but even the hard wood floors are original. A sanding and a re-stain / poly and their just as good as new.
- lurquer 9y agoWhen discussing populations of 300+ million, generalizations are to be expected.
- pubby 9y agoWood houses don't get blown over or eaten by termites very often, but they do get torn down and rebuilt larger every ~50 years due to rising land prices.