for my wife and I its a lifestyle choice.. and the by product has been a nice living and a lot of freedom to choose who and where we work .. its hard work but its enjoyable ( most of the time)

Also, it all boils down to what you are comfortable with doing from a lifestyle point of view...I think Grant Cardone has made the statement of "never own an SFR", but you have to try to understand his perspective. 

About this time your Amazon 2 hour wine delivery will arrive and you will find your financial prowess and accounting skills greatly enhanced and at least equal to the task of creating the lifestyle you'd like to be come accustomed to.Point being with the kind of equity and situation you're describing you have every right to dream first. 

Are they downgrading or upgrading their lifestyle?

Scott recommends careers or side gigs in things where you get judged based on results, not time (like sales), so that the only limit on how much you can make is on your ability to produce.Of course, these are all lifestyle changes, not quick ways to gather up a down payment.

I'm focusing on deleveraging right now, mostly for my own personal reasons and lifestyle simplification.

I would consider either full management or self management depending on your lifestyle, etc.

They lived a fine life style, but not far above the lifestyle of lay people.

Its a lifestyle cost like food and travel or anything else.The only truly depreciating asset you have is time!

Many are chasing FIRE lifestyles, W-2 replacements and a stable monthly income where they can "retire" at 40 with a monthly nut of $10k.