Tiny Homes

[iacas]

My wife is watching a bunch of "Tiny Home" shows in a row. What the hell? How many of these people are still living in their tiny homes three years later? Tiny Homes are 165 square feet on average. They just finished a home for a family of five. Many of these people are couples with pets and/or kids on the way.

And, they're paying $75k+ for these things.

What in the holy hell? My 800 square foot apartment in Florida was "small." How in the f*** are people doing this for more than about three days in a row?

[krupa]

I think they'd be OK as like a lakeside cabin where you stay for the weekend or maybe a week in the summer, but never to live in permanently.  Also, if I was single and needed a place to write my manifesto... 

[David in FL]

12 minutes ago, iacas said:

My wife is watching a bunch of "Tiny Home" shows in a row. What the hell? How many of these people are still living in their tiny homes three years later? Tiny Homes are 165 square feet on average. They just finished a home for a family of five. Many of these people are couples with pets and/or kids on the way.

And, they're paying $75k+ for these things.

What in the holy hell? My 800 square foot apartment in Florida was "small." How in the f*** are people doing this for more than about three days in a row?

Mental illness?!  

[Vinsk]

Seems pretty silly. And damn...if someone gets a little case of the runs....turn the music up...

[CarlSpackler]

It's mostly about "green living". The small footprint uses less energy to heat or cool. It also makes it easy to move. Most "mobile homes" are not easy to move, but a tiny home with wheels can be hitched up to a truck and away you go. They should not cost that much. They were supposed to run $20-50K. These must be luxury tiny homes.

[dennyjones]

Can you imagine being stuck in the same "room" with 3 other people and a dog when there is bad weather and  you can't get outside?   oh hell no!  I understand the novelty but definitely not a long term situation.

I do like the many ways they conserve space but some ways seem to be unrealistic for the long haul.

[Double Mocha Man]

44 minutes ago, CarlSpackler said:

It's mostly about "green living". The small footprint uses less energy to heat or cool. It also makes it easy to move. Most "mobile homes" are not easy to move, but a tiny home with wheels can be hitched up to a truck and away you go. They should not cost that much. They were supposed to run $20-50K. These must be luxury tiny homes.

... with a jacuzzi and a pool...

[Bonvivant]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

My wife is watching a bunch of "Tiny Home" shows in a row. What the hell? How many of these people are still living in their tiny homes three years later? Tiny Homes are 165 square feet on average. They just finished a home for a family of five. Many of these people are couples with pets and/or kids on the way.

And, they're paying $75k+ for these things.

What in the holy hell? My 800 square foot apartment in Florida was "small." How in the f*** are people doing this for more than about three days in a row?

I think for some people they value reduced consumption/materialism more than comfort and space. If you told me that I never had to work again, everything paid for, and gave me a fully furnished tiny home on a golf resort that I get to play as much as I want, I would take it in a heartbeat. I think we as a society overvalue in-home space and materials sometimes. Obviously you wouldn't be the one entertaining all of your friends and family if you lived in one of these, but I think that you would get used to it after a while.

That being said, I'd also take a mansion if it was offered to me. I don't really have a dog in the fight on this one, but can definitely understand the draw of one of these. Less to clean, less to worry about, etc.

Also, 75k sounds like the top of the range, unless they are including the plot of land with that.

Edit*

I am also a single guy, so I don't need a lot of space. If I had a family, I think my opinion on this would be quite different.

Edited March 25, 2020 by Bonvivant

[bwdial]

For a single person, these could be a great solution, but when I see a family with two teenagers and three dogs start talking about this as a livable option, I think either:

• mental illness
• attention seeking

 

[Bonvivant]

2 minutes ago, bwdial said:

 

• mental illness
• attention seeking

 

It's really probably closer to virtue signalling. "Look at me and how good I am for the environment". They probably still drive an SUV though if they are a family, lol.

[Carl3]

I agree with OP sentiment, however my wife and I who are empty nesters just downsized. We went from 2,700 sf to half of that. At least there is a nice full basement. Looking to make a golf practice facility down there if this virus keeps us locked up. Not sure how we have done that (no basement/storage) in Florida as a slab on grade, but that is the next step as we head towards retirement.

It is cozy and we are both working from home now that the state is basically locked down.

 

[Double Mocha Man]

15 minutes ago, Bonvivant said:

I think for some people they value reduced consumption/materialism more than comfort and space. If you told me that I never had to work again, everything paid for, and gave me a fully furnished tiny home on a golf resort that I get to play as much as I want, I would take it in a heartbeat.

Let me know when you find that tiny home on the 5th hole at Pebble Beach.  😄  Will you have a golf net or practice putting green in your front yard?

[Bonvivant]

1 minute ago, Double Mocha Man said:

Let me know when you find that tiny home on the 5th hole at Pebble Beach.  😄  Will you have a golf net or practice putting green in your front yard?

It's an unreal hypothetical of course, but just showing that I would be willing to give up almost all of my private space (save 150-200 square feet) for a dream life of golf.

[Double Mocha Man]

I understand.  Nice trade-off.  Personally I'd prefer the things I've got AND my regular home and friends transported to Pebble Beach.  I would not qualify for the "Would You Rather..." question.

[boogielicious]

 

[billchao]

3 hours ago, iacas said:

My wife is watching a bunch of "Tiny Home" shows in a row. What the hell? How many of these people are still living in their tiny homes three years later? Tiny Homes are 165 square feet on average. They just finished a home for a family of five. Many of these people are couples with pets and/or kids on the way.

And, they're paying $75k+ for these things.

What in the holy hell? My 800 square foot apartment in Florida was "small." How in the f*** are people doing this for more than about three days in a row?

I know Japanese people are used to living in small homes, especially in major cities, but 165 sq ft is ridiculous.

[CarlSpackler]

53 minutes ago, boogielicious said:

 

Hey now. 🤨

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Bonvivant said:

Also, 75k sounds like the top of the range, unless they are including the plot of land with that.

The one after that was 200sf and $95k. No land.