Does the real estate market increasingly force more families to build?

The menu is luxurious. [...]

...in the online library of this exhibition, there are also dozens of other cookbooks to be found. I really enjoy browsing through them – the menus differ enormously. From daily meat consumption to one herring per week per family. Other books deal with saving up the dowry; because if the woman doesn’t have enough dowry, the man has to work hard, won’t get anywhere, and will become an alcoholic. He will also if the woman can’t manage the household. Or can’t cook. Man drinks, woman is to blame. But away from the off topic – well, a bit: I love browsing through the old books – also to see how good I really have it. I don’t need to complain because I still have to hang up a load of laundry, but am thankful that washing machines exist and I don’t have to gather wood for the wash boiler the night before.

In my opinion, it depends on how you grew up and what ideas you have. What do you need to be happy? Some have a villa, sports cars, millions in the bank, go on vacations all the time, yet they are still not happy. They always strive for more, need the thrill, the crowning glory. Others have almost nothing but are still happy with themselves and their lives.

I am happy to have grown up "simply." Carrying coal for the tiled stove, without central heating, even several years without running hot water. Without big vacations, without a big allowance, without brand-name clothes, without having to outdo others. I moved out for my training, had only my scholarship as income. Sometimes I had to get by with 10 Marks a week, and it worked. Later the first job, the first own apartment – with old furniture that I could gradually replace. I saved for three months for the washing machine.

I know that I don’t need much to live. And to be happy. I tell myself every day how good we have it. How beautiful everything is. That is my conviction. Yesterday I was in the garden behind the house again; the plum tree is blooming, the peach trees, the cherry is about to bloom, the magnolia is shining, everywhere chirping, fluttering, buzzing. I don’t need a hypermodern living bunker with everything automatic, THAT is contentment for me.

This forum matches reality.

I agree as well. Well, I often mention the lower limit of 2000€/sqm, sometimes I would also like to say 2200 or 2400, while others then criticize that 2000€ is too high and that you can build cheaper.
Yes, you can! But not the one who wants the double garage and the kids’ bathroom and a 12sqm large dressing room and at least 160sqm and smart home and everything electrically anyway. Not the person who thinks that with these demands you cannot speak as a confident homeowner.

How often are newcomers told that the house and budget don’t fit?

... and they are often no longer seen here afterwards.

More proposals for downgrade are made than for upgrade. Unfortunately, this is very often ignored.

And when they have slimmed down upon reunion, other people come along who criticize the 12sqm small kids’ room and the missing kids’ bathroom.
What? Only gas? Outdated technology, etc.

I would really be interested in how it continues. Additional financing? Zwegat? Forced auction? Or will the flair be built after all?

Additional financing for a simpler house

My grandmother’s handwritten cookbook contains everything from pancakes to eggnog. It is only focused on what the farm and garden provide.
A lot of time was invested in canning, pickling, and gardening.

Slaughter days, baking days, days on which sauerkraut was pickled, apples and potatoes were harvested or elderberries and sloes were gathered were long days when everyone had to help and all other work was left undone.

My grandparents grew their own, foraged in the forest themselves and preserved their food.
In the eat-in kitchen (12–14sqm) without a built-in kitchen, the children were bathed in a tub and my grandparents often only cleaned themselves at the kitchen sink. Coal was delivered and stored in the basement — in their own end terrace house, by the way. Outside there was a kind of conservatory where potatoes were peeled and eaten in summer, a kitchen extension so to speak. The garden was there for drying laundry. I liked being there...

As a child, you take many things more lightly and carefree. And just because it didn't bother you, doesn't mean it is good. I don't want to light the wood stove at 30 degrees and can tons of jars. To be honest, I don't miss the pit toilet either. You have to be more satisfied with what you have. That just isn't German.

As a child, one takes many things more easily and carefree. And just because it didn't bother you doesn't mean it's good. I don't want to fire up the wood stove at 30 degrees and can tons of food. To be honest, I don't miss the outdoor toilet either.

You have to be more content with what you have. That's just not German

Laugh... of course, I didn’t experience my parents' childhood. I only got to know the kitchen, the conservatory, and the greenhouse. Heating was already central then.

Me neither. My uncle always says my parents had it good, they were always full.