We have 4 kids and have chosen to live in a smaller-than-average house (even though we have a larger-than-average family!) on a bigger-than-average lot.
Since in CA everything is price-per-sq-ft, we thought: why buy a single sq ft more than necessary? It’s just more to clean and walk through, and adds so much $$$. Our kids do each have their own rooms though—but we got rid of the dining room (built a wall) to provide the 5th bedroom. Every single sq ft of our house is used every day.
It’s nice to not see any neighboring houses. . .(well, I do see a glimpse of one). Big yards (or better yet, land) is the way to go.
I have a 3,000 sq ft, 2 bathroom, five bedroom farm house with a dining room, living room, family room, kitchen, nursery, laundry room, utility room, and a sun room on 2 acres with a 2,500-3,000 sq ft barn and a smaller barn with a small vineyard and a fruit orchard. It’s just me and I spend more time at my girlfriends house. I was thinking clearly when I bought it.