> When it comes to square footage, this is like any other investment on potential. If it is not exercised, then it sits there, taking the extra heating and cooling, adding to your taxes, and so forth.

You're ignoring the intrinsic value of space, the value of privacy, and so on.

That's why I asked about a greenbelt around a city. It's land that just sits there, yet people seems to value that.

I could cram all my stuff into about 1/4th the space. It would be quite busy. Space makes it tranquil.