I think you are projecting your values on others. I’d rather have a smaller house in walking/biking distance of a supermarket, kindergarten, school etc. than a bigger house and needing two cars. I once lived in a 1200 sqft apartment with another person and we ended up not using one of the rooms. I‘d prefer a 800–1000 sqft with a nice cut in a better location any day of the week at least until there are more than two people to be housed.