Obamas in, reality stars out in desirable neighbors poll

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama pose with children as they attend the Christmas in Washington Celebration at the National Building Museum in Washington December 13, 2009.[Agencies]
Americans would most like to live next door to the Obama family. But a reality star like California's "Octomom," or Jon and Kate Gosselin and their brood of eight would be a big turn off, according to a poll released Tuesday.

President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle and daughters Malia and Sasha, came top of a poll that asked Americans who would be their most desirable celebrity neighbor.

The U.S. first family were followed by TV chat show host Ellen DeGeneres and her partner Portia de Rossi, who tied with Republican Sarah Palin, in the poll by online real estate marketplace Zillow.com.

But, as in life, families with large broods were deemed the worst likely neighbors.

Nadya Suleman, the California single mom who this year added octuplets to her existing brood of six children, topped the worst celebrity neighbor poll with 17 percent of votes.

Suleman, dubbed "Octomom" by the U.S. media, was followed by recently divorced reality TV stars Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight kids.

In a reflection of her tendency to polarize Americans, Sarah Palin, the former Republican vice-presidential contender who has five children, also came third in the worst neighbors list with 11 percent of votes.

"Americans have made it clear that they think politicians and talk show hosts make the best neighbors," said Amy Bohutinsky, Zillow.com vice president of communications.

"Apparently Americans are opposed to living next door to a brood of young children, particularly those that come with a television crew and paparazzi," she added.

Source: China Daily/Agencies