[jseban]

There's a lot of flexibility in how much living space a person is using also, it's an order of magnitude difference depending on how much money they have.

People used to live a whole family in a one room apartment, and now we have single divorced boomers living in whole houses alone. I think people adjust a lot here depending on the economy

[tmnvix]

That's a good point.

It's interesting that for the past 15 years or so the average household size in NZ has remained at about 2.7 despite a housing crisis with more people living in cars, converted garages, etc. I always assumed that the more crowded households were 'balanced out' by an increase in the number of smaller dwellings with fewer people (specifically apartments) but it could also be an increase in the number of people living just 1-2 in larger dwellings.

[yakak]

Very true. California is an interesting one though with their occupancy rules. Very low density could reduce in a crunch but people who would go to the highest density are prevented from doing so by the landlord owned legal system.

[irrational]

My boss (not divorced or a boomer, but definitely single) lives alone in a 5,000 foot gorgeous home up in the hills. It’s crazy.