Accomodation beyond the ordinary

I've just had a way past the-edge-of-ordinary moment. If you had a family of three young boys and were planning to move to a city for a year. Would you consider: a). Moving in with a 40 yo house mate in a 3 bedroom house? OR b). Moving into an inner city 2 bedroom flat? Well meaning people have tried to offer us these possibilities. We wonder if they are really serious! Why is it that people think that missionaries will put up with anything to save a buck? I've heard terrible stories (beyond the used tea bag type) of misisonaries being given dreadful furniture because a family was upgrading or being sent used, unwashed clothes! Why do people think that missionaries are on a different level to themselves, somehow elevated beyond ordinary needs and desires? No, we're not expecting a large mansion, but on the other hand, we can afford rent on an ordinary sized house in the suburbs. Our year in Oz will be stressful enough as it is without a stressful home living environment as well. At the moment, as spring finally sets in, I am longing for a back yard to send the kids into. For one extra room to spread out into. (Our house in Tokyo is a massive 82 sq m with no backyard.) Just the same as any ordinary Australian mother? Why do people think of putting on an entertainment room or another garage and yet are happy to suggest that missionaries live in a situation they'd never consider?