Is this the future of affordable housing in America? A 7X10 foot pod for $325 a month . . .

Photo above - affordable housing, in some other nation. Guess which one. Hint - it's not China.

Ten feet long, seven feet wide. That’s smaller than a prison cell, possibly. And it can be all yours for the low-low price of $325 a month. To be fair, this is probably less than the cost of constructing a prison cell. America’s largest jail (Los Angeles) houses 12,000 inmates and cost $1.7 billion to construct. That’s $142,000 per cell.

The inventor of the $325 pod without bars is Seoul, South Korea. The lucky occupant of the 70 square foot apartment in the link below is a 27 year old student/content creator. She's helping to defray her rent by posting Tik Tok videos documenting her apartment life. That life includes a shower, toilet, dorm fridge, but no cooking area. She doesn’t even have a closet for clothes, or a window.

The issue in Seoul probably isn’t labor/construction costs. It’s the land. Same as with living near an ocean or mountain view in the USA. Location is everything. But Lydia Rouka’s Seoul pod doesn’t have any kind of view, because there are no windows. She’s sheltering in place in the middle of some giant apartment tower. And buying her food from sidewalk vendors.

Let me be clear: I am NOT recommending that New York City try this solution, in order to bring affordable housing to its teeming masses yearning to be free. Studies continually demonstrate that the more people you pack into a confined space, the more violent crime you get. This has been validated with lab rats too.

I might consider a proposal to re-purpose America's empty military bases. The land is cheap. There is dormitory style sleeping. Plenty of showers and toilets. Parade ground for soccer and softball. Mess hall/cafeteria. Even parking for a car, if you have one. But those places are usually distant from downtown urban centers where the best panhandling, drug deals, and theft opportunities are located.

The problem is everyone wants to live in a “nice” city. That’s why strangers keep flocking to New York, LA, San Francisco, Seoul, Chicago, Seattle, Lisbon, Dublin, Amsterdam, Madrid, Stockholm. Data for Moscow and Beijing not available, however.

There are several experiments afoot in America to see if UBI (universal basic income) could help ease poverty and homelessness, even if it has no impact on overcrowding and crime. The typical UBI level being tested is $800-$900 a month. But if your cell costs $325 a month, and then you add fast food, cable, internet, cellular plan, bus fare, etc. you’re going to quickly be at zero again. I don’t think Seoul is pointing a way to the future. The problem is there are too many people on earth, and not enough coastal views for everyone who dreams of one.

I’m just sayin’ . . .

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/german-student-living-in-seoul-s-tiny-70-square-foot-apartment-left-the-internet-stunned-by-the-monthly-rent/ar-AA1WIcxe?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=699ad83f79fe4143afabaf033dae1cd2&ei=134

exchrist · 36-40

I agree 70 sq feet is pretty small I’d say 100 sq feet would allow for a living area too desk small rec area living space too is wouldn’t be much but if we want less violence people need to be able to stretch a lil. Fewer people would be ideal
People are having fewer kids and the ww2 (baby boom) generation will be dying off soon. There is that but there needs to be a balance.
Another huge part of the issue is automobiles everyone has a car; in America like EVERYONE does! So that means everyone requires an additional 70sq feet to store their cars for the 2/3rds of the day they aren’t in it. That’s so much waste. Public transportation is the only solution to that. If we want more space for living we’d have to ditch the cars.
Cost of living is entirely about cost savings. Cable tv. Why? I get 40 channels on antenna, gym membership why? I walk 5 miles to work everyday. $325 a month that’s great! If I take a bus it’s unlimited rides for $45/month if I go to the library I can borrow movies for free. It’s about choice. Ppl are lazy. Being lazy is expensive. Delivery everything is expensive on demand is wasteful and adds up quick. I grow a couple plants in my window some lettuce tomatoes and basil. Cell phone often is a hotspot too(or just get a landline and dial up( go old school). I get a radio that’s free
It’s about CHOICE. Not convenience I’m not “keeping up with the Jones” I’m choosing to live within my means.

Tiredish · 46-50, F

I think Cricker or other cell phone's are cheaper. Everyone had a landline anyway, so get rid of tour cell if you have to.

Stop eating fast food - healthier, you definitely dont need cable, bus fare is a must for some. There are places that offer free internet - or go to the library.

How much money are you saving now?
A lot, and Ive done it.

AthrillatheHunt · 51-55, M

I’m hoping to retire in a +\~900 sqf pre fab home one day. Have 1 in Florida and another somewhere up north.