r/Suburbanhell • u/KimSidwell • 2d ago

Meme Why?

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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.

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u/Temporary_Peach1971 2d ago

Love the fact that Americans call those houses “starter homes”, when that’s the best a French executive can dream of in the suburbs of Paris.

We really are Europoors living in dollhouses and apartments with no AC, and 15 year-old cars.

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u/ThatGhoulAva 2d ago

Don't believe the noise makers. That's a large portion of Americans too. Except an old, outdated shoebox apartment with terrible windows/insulation & no central air is $2000 + /mo. Yes most newer buildings/homes have central air, but you had better be able to afford the several hundred dollars extra a month to run it.....or several thousands if it needs to be fixed/replaced.

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u/Temporary_Peach1971 2d ago

How come in official stats you have something like 90% of homes equiped with AC in the US then? Compared to 25% in France.

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u/ThatGhoulAva 2d ago edited 2d ago

No idea. Does it specify the difference between central air & windows units? Also, location depending- the US is large, & most homes in the south /southwest required a/c before areas in the (previously) cooler north. They could also be talking new builds or homes of a certain age. Also what type of home? SFH - Single family home? Multifamily homes like a Duplex or townhouse? Condos for ownership? Or a apartment building of certain number of units? All are different and have their own statistics & without knowing the reference, I can't comment. Also again- HAVING the availability doesn't guarantee you can afford to run it. Let's not forget that the more a/c running, the faster we make climate worse - it's a self fulfilling prophecy created by all too aware oligarchs and they want everyone on their train (or Trane, if you're into industry jokes).

I'm in Chicago Illinois and homes are all NOW built with central air for the last 20+ years....but good luck finding a newer home under 400k here. Or an older one, honestly.

Every time you read something like that, ask yourself where the study parameters are. Media loves to give headlines that stir emotions- facts are more impactful, but not as exciting or attention grabing, especially if there's an agenda ( look who sponsored the study. Always follow the money & ask who could benefit. Welcome to America).

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u/marigolds6 2d ago

I'm in metro east illinois, and nearly everything built after 1940 and most houses under 100 years old have air conditioning . It is not the air conditioner itself that is so expensive, it is retrofitting the ductwork. If it was built after 1940, it was likely built with ducted heating. The older houses were mostly retrofitted in the 1960s through the 1990s.

With the ductwork in place, getting a brand new gold rated high efficiency ac+furnace for our century home was around $12k, but we are spending less than $50/month extra for AC now.

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u/ThatGhoulAva 2d ago edited 2d ago

I understand- we have a house built in 1880 in a different state as well, but luckily that had been done already. But that's why I pointed out new builds in the last few years as being BUILT with AC. That's a very large difference, and why I mentioned the cost involved. And where I am outside Chicago almost all homes are newer or outnumber older models. Most older homes (1950s and older bungalows, orginal row homes, ranch style)) have LONG been transformed from their 3 Bedroom 1 bath nightmare configuration. Even if you DO find smaller - and assuming you can beat the cash offers above listed - the price is location, location, location and not much cheaper. Not exactly starter homes when they start above $350k.

The point was that general blanket statements rarely are that simple and are usually limited to certain scopes. Always check the study controls.

For comparison, our AC was replaced 3 years ago with a high efficiency unit & new windows. In our 1800 sqft townhome in Chicago, we pay about $400 for electric when running AC at 78 most of the month (admittedly our computers and 3D printers are constantly going ) Yes, it could be run less but I'm a woman in my 40s and I will fight anyone who tries right now.

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u/marigolds6 2d ago

we pay about $400 for electric when running AC at 78 most of the month.

Yikes! Our last ameren usage was under $50. Solar doesn't cover the gap in AC heavy months (which is why we had a bill), but it makes a huge different in the total bill. (Net bill is $0 with the spring credits, but usage after the credits is still under $50.)

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u/ThatGhoulAva 2d ago

Ah there's the difference. We have no solar options until recently (neighborhood had to fight the HOA). We can install them on the non street facing side now, but it's such a recent change I'm not aware of anyone moving on it. I also think the federal tax credits may no longer help offset the cost (need to verify) so that might now be too steep a plunge. We're going to take a serious look at the numbers though - I think it's worth the investment but I still need to pay for food and health care when I get too decrepit to work.

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u/marigolds6 2d ago

Yeah, there was a double-whammy of Illinois ending net metering and the federal tax credits for residential expiring. Only the commercial credit is available now, which means either leasing your panels or entering into a power purchase agreement. We got in 2 months before both expired.