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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I'm obsessed with housing estates

190 replies

Namechangepleas · 20/12/2023 01:15

I'm going to struggle to put this into words. Over the past few weeks I've become obsessed with new build housing estates.
That sounds ridiculous I know but just thinking about the makes me cringe but I also can't stop. I've been driving around new build estates in my area just for the sake of it to look at them and also searching for them on rightmove.
It's more the estate its self than the individual houses. I feel like I'm in the film vivarium when I'm in one.
I know this makes absolutely no sense but has anyone else ever thought this?/

OP posts:
mrsclaus1984 · 20/12/2023 01:19

Do you mean obsessed in the sense that you want to move to one?

PossumintheHouse · 20/12/2023 01:19

… What?
Do you mean to find a suitable one to live in, or, what?! Just for fun? I’ll bite.

Original poster
Namechangepleas · 20/12/2023 01:26

No no no I couldn't think of anything worse!! I don't want to live in one I just like driving around them sometimes they're like a maze

OP posts:
ChristmasTraditions · 20/12/2023 01:28

Sounds like a fantastic topic for a PhD!

PossumintheHouse · 20/12/2023 01:29

Aye, sure, OP. The horror eh!

QueenofTerrasen · 20/12/2023 01:29

Are you ok??

coxesorangepippin · 20/12/2023 01:30

I thought you meant like council house estates

Original poster
Namechangepleas · 20/12/2023 01:33

These are the sort I mean to be specific early 2000s to 2010s not brand new.
I'm a freak I know I could just drive round them for hours.

I'm obsessed with housing estates
OP posts:
pinklepea · 20/12/2023 01:34

So your hobby is driving around peoples houses looking down on them and posting about that being a bit of fun to you! How sad are you!!!!

PossumintheHouse · 20/12/2023 01:35

Any favourites, OP? End of the street? Mid-terrace? Bonus points for a trampoline in the garden?

SALWARP2023 · 20/12/2023 01:35

I'll keep an eye out for you! Perhaps you need a hobby or job?

mrsclaus1984 · 20/12/2023 01:37

Trampoline in the garden…Oh stop 🤣

penjil · 20/12/2023 01:43

coxesorangepippin · 20/12/2023 01:30

I thought you meant like council house estates

Most new-build estates have to be 40% social housing, don't they?

Coyoacan · 20/12/2023 01:48

It sounds like an interest that could feed into urban planning studies

groovergirl · 20/12/2023 02:23

Is that pic really of a newish estate? It looks old-fashioned, boxed-in, treeless, cramped and dull. Any parks in these estates? Shops, pools, fun things to do?
Whence comes your attraction to them, OP?

shivawn · 20/12/2023 02:31

I can't relate sorry! It's interesting that this is such a new obsession for you, have you just recently watched that film (Vivarium)? I mean, it seems harmless enough if it's not interfering with your day to day life!

MrsElsa · 20/12/2023 02:35

People get interested in all sorts of things. Train spotting, stamp collecting, Brutalist architecture. Why not 2000s estate design?!

I personally am very interested in retro futurism, materials from the 50s about the 2000s or just the future in general. I have spent hours sourcing and reading vintage books. Sometimes I spend hours building a house from one of the books, in the Sims 4. Totally normal!

Gingerkittykat · 20/12/2023 02:35

A lot of autistic people have unusual interests which can be obsessive, I've no idea if this applies to you or not.

OracleofAragorn · 20/12/2023 02:40

@Namechangepleas to be honest yes they seem nice at first but after walking around them and seeing the clones, they soon become just rushed to construct standard houses

Monty27 · 20/12/2023 02:41

You may have a genuine interest in design. Street planning is probably interesting. You could work for the council planning office.
How would you change it?

Friedfriedplantain · 20/12/2023 02:43

Who says she's making fun, they're odd and interesting environments.

There's a power station near me I love walking by for no reason. I find it absolutely compelling, the shape of the buildings, the way it sits on the land. It's so big and so obviously man-made, a strange and fascinating place.

Friedfriedplantain · 20/12/2023 02:44

@SALWARP2023 so if you have a job and hobbies you are never interested in any other aspects of the world? Sad.

sprigatito · 20/12/2023 02:46

I have the same feeling about them, the more cookie-cutter the better! They're such surreal places. Little constructed microsocieties with unwritten rules and rituals. Sci-fi heaven (and I also loved Vivarium)

Mintyt · 20/12/2023 02:49

When a new build estate was bully where I work I was fascinated by it. It was build as an old style village. With a "Manor House" stables ect. Walking around it then all new was like a film set.

Benibidibici · 20/12/2023 02:52

Most new-build estates have to be 40% social housing, don't they?

Ha this almost never happens. Usually a token amount of "affordable" housing is included (often shared ownership rather than rented) and developers pay to have more social housing built elsewhere.