In many cases, we're not being given the choice. Nobody builds 1,000sqft houses. When they build 1,000sqft apartments, the rent is mortgage-level. When they bui

In many cases, we're not being given the choice. Nobody builds 1,000sqft houses. When they build 1,000sqft apartments, the rent is mortgage-level. When they build 500sqft apartments, the rent is, at best, a couple hundred dollars cheaper. Few cheaper options exist, aside from co-living with other people/couples/families. I'm reminded of Innuendo Studios' statement about porn: what becomes standard is not often what the majority wants, but what a minority wants and the majority will tolerate. Developers optimize for developer profits. They know a bigger house will sell for more than a smaller one, so nobody builds smaller ones. And since "no housing" isn't an option, people will begrudgingly accept housing that is bigger and more expensive than they want, if it's the only realistic option. My choices aren't constrained by my own greed; they're constrained by that of people with far more capital than me.