Been thinking about the post-boomer era.

Disintegration of the traditional nuclear family continues.  Having kids and your own home with cars and keeping up with the Joneses is passé.

The future going forward, is all about a world of small communities.

• Instead of the McManions, people will end up choosing to love communally in homes designed to give a private/public separation, yet maintain that family atmosphere.
• Instead of opening one's own business by renting your own office / retail space, one shares an office / retail space with others.
• Rather than owning a car by yourself, one borrows a car that a group of people own.
• Rather than buy your own set of tools, one participates in a group-owned tool network.
• Shared farms.
• Shared internet / cable access.
• Shared library of music, books, magazines.

I believe this is the trend, because the future appears bleak for income growth for lower- and middle-income earners for possibly a decade or more, especially if we end up having Japan-style deflation.  And it could be especially true, if people focus on quality of life over income.

My 2.5 hr mental exercise for the day: a standard 50' x 100' lot (5000sf) with a 4 housing units (700 sf each), 3-car garage, 150 sf workshop area, rooftop garden and outdoor covered recreational area, communal concept.