About two-thirds of America’s largest cities have reported the appearance of “McMansions,” often with 2-story “lawyer lobbies,” which are new, much larger houses built on lots that once contained more modest homes. Some of their neighbors are complaining!

Who is building these homes that tend to stick out like sore thumbs in established neighborhoods? City planner Jack Nasar says, “The phenomena of McMansions may represent…residents with money [who] are moving back into cities and older suburbs, rather than building new homes far from the central city.”

While gentrification can benefit everyone, not everybody welcomes these folks back. The growth of McMansions has spurred up to half of the cities to adopt new regulations within the past 10 years to manage the building of oversized homes. About 39% of the largest cities have adopted new regulations about the size?and style?of homes that can be built.

Art credit: freeimages.co.uk

Here at unknowncountry.com, we’re far from living in a McMansion?in fact, we’re constantly struggling for survival. But you can help: buy your Christmas gifts from our website store, especially our wonderful 2008 cropcircle calendar. You won’t find a more special present!

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