Deep wrote:
It really isn't about saving money - It's tradition to live with your parents, to take care of them in their old age, etc. Not to say that we do it, maybe later on in life when my parents need constant care, but they are quite a ways away from that. Heck, my mom, who is quite modern and not old school at all, wanted me and my wife to live with them. We told her we'd do it for a year to let my wife and mom get a stronger relationship. Exactly 1 year later, we moved into our semi in Mississauga. My Dad was all for me starting my own "nest" and told my Mom to get over it.
In Indian culture, you don't put your parents in old folks homes. That being said, it does happen more now then before, but it's still "taboo".
Do I agree with it? Not really. Do I see why people who haven't left the home country not that long ago still go be the old traditions? Yes.
New immigrants pick Brampton because of the strong Indian culture there. Believe it or not, I'm Indian and I'd NEVER live in Brampton. Then again, I'm born in Canada...
I think it does have to do with the money as well as the caregiving aspect. Mom & Dad is one thing but then you have three brothers, their wives and their kids all in the same house, it's not about caring for the parents.
That being said, if you need a particular size and type of house to meet your needs, no worries.....go out a get the house that fits them. What is troublesome is the desire to keep others out of the community. The builder should be able to build the town homes. To say Punjabi people only want extra large houses to fit extended families is discrimination and shouldn't be allowed. This is Canada. Nobody is saying you can't have relatives live with you but you shouldn't be saying only your community should live around you. The town homes may not meet Punjabi needs but this isn't Punjab is it?