The reasons for moving in particular to a small space range from practical to ideological:
- The housing that is available.
- The cost of housing and the family's projected income during the coming three to six years.
- A scheme to avoid paying as many utilities as possible.
- Valuing time together as a family over having more space.
- The high ecological impact of larger housing options.
- The desire to take full advantage of as many on-campus opportunities as possible.
- The desire for a location that provides the opportunity to be nearly car-free (owning one vehicle for only occasional use). The belief that more people being car-free is better for whole communities on numerous levels.
- Homes are big responsibilities. Bigger homes are bigger responsibilities. Just trying to raise a family feels like enough responsibilities.
- A belief that the economy will quite possibly change fundamentally over the next 20-30 years, and a belief that most folks will have to get used to having far less space.
- Having experienced something like being "house poor" and wanting to never return to it.
- A love of larger spaces but a tendency toward sloppiness in and under-use of larger spaces.
- The desire for a location that provides the greatest possible level of cultural richness and an environment that emphasizes learning.
