Is anyone on here fussed about status in life? Like what Car or House they have etc?

[Benny91]

As I live in South Surrey and all I’m seeing and hearing is people driving brand new cars and also being picky what house to live in. (It’s like they’ve got to show off to fit in with their friends and family!)

As with me I’m not fussy about any status in life and I’m happy with what I’ve got!

This is obviously quite common in Surrey. Does anyone else live there and likes to show off their status?

I don’t have a status

I mean we have a new house and a new car but not because I’m trying to prove anything to anybody else, simply because we wanted them.

Nope. I don't care in the slightest.

This is a really weird question to me because I have things for me, not for status, but you make it sound like nobody does that

Ha great thread as I was pondering on looking at interior design apps to make my newly renovated loft perfect, then thought sod is rather go on Mumsnet.

in a word, no, I don’t do status very well at all, I drive a a skoda, I hate SUV’s, dislike show home looking houses and do my own nails and hair (not hair cutting just colour). Most of my family have brand new cars, huge houses which are actually beautiful and show home looking, they are all much wealthier than me though.
I’m more interested in people and reading and travelling / experiences

No and neither do any of my friends.

Yep. I have worked bloody hard and didn't come from a home with any sort of wealth.

My house is lovely and my car is flashy. I buy the best of things because I can - I've done that and I deserve to enjoy the spoils and say 'fuck you, world!'

Not sorry! 😁😁😁

Couldn't care less. Dr also live in Surrey only choose house as its 6min cycle to work. Predominantly cycle everywhere. Car is an 11yr old Ford ka lol i won't be upgrading until it dies (last car was an 03 plate fiesta lol)

Of course I’m picky about what house I live in, as I’m there most of the time! But it’s nothing to do with status.

So this is a weird one for me. I live in the worst house (on an ok street), no car, no garden. But I live in central London so actually my house is the same value (if not higher) than my siblings. But because we live in London their houses are much, much nicer than mine and I do feel a bit weird about it, like I’m the least successful sibling. I know this makes me a weak person but I am just being honest.

I live in an aspirational middle class area and people absolutely judge you by what car you drive.

Well so do I but probably not quite in the way they do ;)

I have a 3 bed house with no mortgage but it's not very big. We have two cars which are more than 5 and 10 years old respectively. And they are not SUVs. And we don't have the obligatory fashion accessory dog(s). And I've never been ski-ing,

"Poor" ds hasn't had a proper middle class upbringing at all though he did learn to play golf.

Nope. My house is tiny and as an ex-council house, definitely not flashy. I love it, it contains the things I love and furniture I've inherited.

My car is an old thing, small, the kind of car beloved by pensioners, but 100% reliable and takes me places. Easy to park, cheap to run. Spending money on a car is not a priority of mine.

In fact I find flashy things a bit embarrassing tbh.

I don't have a house or car. I don't have much money. I'm happy with what I've got even though my health is poor. Status doesn't matter when you’re dead, and that's where everyone is headed.

We're not in Surrey, we're in London, but lots of status-focused people at my dc's school as it's a prep. Lots of designer handbags and high end designer clothes. We don't see other people's cars very often as it's quite difficult to drive and park near the school, and it's close to the tube and an Overground station, so families tend to use those.

We don't have a car at all (though I'm aware that it marks my status as "wealthy enough to live so centrally that public transport is easier than driving"). Our house is a very ordinary Victorian terrace, but I'm quite proud that we were able to buy a house and not still be in a flat (mainly for the potential increase in value, for future downsizing, which tends to be higher for houses). But we don't show it off as we hate having visitors, so almost nobody know where we live.

It's very rare for a person to have the level of self-awareness needed to differentiate between wanting status and wanting a nice, comfortable life, OP! I certainly don't feel sure of it in myself.
I'd like a comfortable, warm, cosy house with a garden, enough bedrooms for everyone, and far enough from neighbours not to have to worry about noise. I'd like a reliable car that is economical to run and comfortable to drive. Those things are nice, high status things, but I don't want them to impress anyone else.

Couldn’t give a hoot about a big house or a flashy car. My only aim is good health, early retirement and seeing more of the world.

Most new cars are bought on finance (mine included). I remember purchasing mine and the guy at the desk next to me didn’t have the £1K deposit but would have been paying a large amount per month.

I do care about where I live, I care what I drive and my house is my taste in interior and exterior. I’m not in competition with anyone but myself. I went from a small 1.5 bed flat to a 4 bed house and I’m proud of my achievements. I don’t have a partner and I achieved that on my own. I worked my way up a few years ago from £22K to £40K in a year when I set my mind to it. I’m on a better wage now but I could have only dreamed of £40K when I was in the previous job.

But I also have a friend who views it as competition. I remember her actively looking up how much our mutual friend would be on in her new role. When I got my job she instantly asked “so it’s better pay”. I think when you’re keeping up with the Jones you’ll be unhappy forever as there’s always someone better off.

Car wise I’m not interested really, I drive a little runaround that is 15 plus years old that suits me because it’s economical and I don’t mind that it gets muddy constantly from my dogs and horse stuff. Most of my clothes are from vinted or high street aside from the odd nice thing I’ve been gifted.
I’d like a lovely big house with a big garden but that’s cause I love to be outside in the garden and my dogs would love more space (and I could have another rescue dog!) not about status for me, couldn’t give a shit!

Nope not bothered at all.
We have a campervan but have had them for years because we like to go away easily for long weekends.

We should probably move to a bigger house and could afford it but we love our little 2bed cottage and can't be bothered with the hassle. Might change when DS's are trying to kill each other as teenagers because they share but for now it's still our project of love.

I like living in a nice house but I’m a bit of an inverse snob about cars and tend to think anyone with a flash car eg Overfinch is a bellend.

I get this @tellyon.We live in a garden apartment and will be here possibly forever and I do sometimes catch myself regretting that I envisioned having a house when I was younger, but we live in a beautiful safe area with good schools, and our flat cost 3x what houses where I grew up cost! It’s silly. To have the big house we’d have to move away from our life and jobs and friends to somewhere with less opportunity and more risk. Lots of friends where we are have big houses and new cars but they largely work in an industry I’d rather sell my soul than work in!

There's a saying something like "Its not what your life looks like, it's how it feels", something along those lines.
I ride round looking like a windswept scarecrow on a bicycle, l love my garden and growing plants, l have 5 black moggies , that's what makes me happy. Yes sometimes l think it would be nice to have a home that doesn't look like just been burgled but l prioritise my time outdoors fresh air and exercise in nature rather than on housework.
My son is good, he lends me his car if l need it, l reduced my hours because time and freedom is more important than working all hours to buy stuff l don't really need.
I did used to work more hours but now my house is paid for l am lucky l could cut down.
If having a nice car and home makes you happy, so be it.
I've never really had either and don't feel lacking.

I don't think this is a Surrey thing.

I think it's an Anywhere thing.

Made worse by Instagram.

@Benny91 it’s not just Surrey, it’s everywhere.

By nature, a lot of people consciously or subconsciously like to be high up in the pecking order.

I care about the people I love. I want them to have the comforts of life and enough money to be able to do the things they want to do.

I also want my own home, garden and car to be comfortable, efficient and stylish.