@Roundandroundwego I do hope it will be sooner than that. This messed up world should have learned from the mistakes made in the past and should have by now progressed to the point of thinking that war of any kind is absolutely unacceptable and inhuman...but sadly we are regressing and it's getting out of hand.
@LilMissAnonyMOUSE fascists in control of every government, all of the economy and the mainstream in politics. Without a conscious leftist move by the population, nothing changes. My seventh decade of this same thing.
@Roundandroundwego Since I am apolitical, hating politics of any kind...my opinion is not popular or acceptable by others because I think they are all the same. This world should be run by the citizens, , ''People Power''...where every decision that has to be made should be based on votation, polls and where the majority wins. Not overpaying so called ''politicians'' to decide for us what is convenient for them and furthers their platform and agenda.
Anyway... I wish you luck, friend and hope you get the chance to find a good home for yourself.☺
This is really but the tip of the iceberg discussion for the greater questions of homelessness, housing shortages, and the need for more efficient home designs and communities. Discussions happening in practically every town and city in the US.
Eight dwellings per acre require but half the supporting infrastructure as four dwellings per acre, and at half the cost for taxpayers. Walkable communities translate into fewer parking places, and less pavement areas, so less storm water runoff.
Considering the negatives with tiny houses those negatives all have fixes with but a few hundred more square feet of space. At the end of the rainbow is the perfect dwelling that meets all the desires and needs of the dwellers, and do so with the minimum space and infringement on the community.
@Heartlander I completely agree with you; these problems are sadly prevalent in many countries as well. There was a time a few decades ago, when there was a boom in land and housing development. Suddenly, buildings were sprouting everywhere, and banks and real estate were the businesses that gained the most from this. But then the big bubble burst and the world's economy crashed. Who took advantage of this? The extremely rich people. They could afford to buy as many properties as they wanted because prices were lowered and they hoarded them to sell at an even higher price, but many businesses closed, adding to the problem, making people lose their jobs and homes, thus, losing their buying power. In China, there are thousands upon thousands of ultra-modern skyscraper buildings with luxury apartments and they are all empty. In Dubai, the same thing happens, as well as in other developed countries.
Homelessness is no longer a problem of third-world countries, it is happening everywhere. It is ironic that there is a housing shortage when there is more housing available now than, say 3 decades ago...but they are not for the common people...they are only for the rich. When we have a society consisting only of two classes, the rich and the poor, and a middle class that is almost non-existent...it is a disaster for it brings about inequality, corruption, abuse of power and a society in swift decline. Drugs and alcohol will be used to alleviate the fear and helplessness, crimes begin to rise, so communities begin to deteriorate, and properties lose their value. Then mental health turns fragile, people fight amongst themselves, discrimination, killings and political unrest become the daily news because there is bitterness and hatred. Meanwhile, the ultra-rich turn a blind eye to all of this, their focus only on counting the millions they have. It is a world that has lost its way.
But through all this, there is a ray of hope. Some have taken it upon themselves to find solutions to extract themselves from this vicious cycle, creating options that can help alter this human condition of greed by creating simpler and cheaper housing, creating small jobs, even allowing people to make their own homes from tons upon tons of trash we produce and ecologically planned, reducing excessive use of electricity. Sustainable solutions without selling their souls to banks while they break their backs working all their lives. I admire people who come up with solutions to help each other and the tiny house movement is exactly that, allowing people their right to proper housing. I agree. I think governments should allow more square feet of space but they won't because they discourage people from doing this, as it is not beneficial to them, because spending one's lifetime indebted to them, from school loans to housing loans, is a multi-billion-dollar/euro business.
Thank you for considering our discussion here as a good one, I appreciate it, as I do all those who have participated in it.
I might if I were by myself. Not only for the reasons you mention but much lower utilities, lower maintenance costs, less to clean, less to furnish as far as furniture, window treatments and decor. The cons would be Oklahomas weather could flip one over easier than a traditional home. Would definitely need a storm shelter and good size storage shed. And I read a story a few years ago about someone who came home to find an empty lot, they lived in a rural area and someone had towed their home away.
@cherokeepatti I see what you mean, yes. Economically, in the long run, it would be a great amount of savings, especially if one put in the initial cost for solar panels. Minimal cleaning,no clutter, less spending on windows, door and flooring( which are crazy expensive these days!)
A storm shelter would be a fantastic idea! Would the government consider it as part of the home though? Not sure if tiny homes need to meet a standard size for it to be non-taxable.Wow, how awful for the home owner ! Perhaps the towable ones could have the option of removing the wheels when not used, that could at least help dissuade thieves from stealing them.
I like my tiny home but I can't have kids stay there, family and friends.. It is just one bedroom, small bathroom and shower , little space to chill and small kitchen. It is not enough to have parties or host gatherings. So I stay in my small home when I am not expecting anyone and it feels nicer and less empty.
@Miram Having family that visit or stay over is a wonderful experience. I have watched tiny home owners fret over the dilemma of not being able to accommodate them but they seem to solve this matter by adding extended decks that can be enclosed.
I think a dome shaped small house is lovely, open concept with no dividing walls. I suppose you would want it built with concrete. There is also something called a ''Yurt'' :
...this tent-like circular structure built with light materials and is portable. It has been used for centuries by nomadic tribes and is still being used by tribes in Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia. In fact, some tiny house dwellers opt to live in them because they are portable and I believe may even be a lot less costly than building a wheeled tiny house. Oh yes, I think the human condition is quite complex, some want more while some want less but it all boils down to one's instinct of survival and perhaps as simple as what makes one happy☺
I've considered buying one as a second home. But when you add the costs of renting or buying a plot to stand it on, hooking it up to water, sewerage, electricity it ends up being cheaper in the long run to buy a small flat. You have to consider that depreciation on these things is quite rapid whereas a a conventional house generally appreciates in value.
At least that's how it looks to me here in Norway.
@ninalanyon Oh thank goodness you spoke to a director who was kind, very professional and who wasn't hell bent on complicating things for your family!
I perfectly understand why you wouldn't want to go back, but remain in Norway. Their health system is fair and a system that works for the people avoids political unrest thus allowing things to run smoothly because everyone is covered and content. I wish more countries would adopt the Norwegian way of living and government.
Times are changing, I just wish people would become more appreciative of the value and importance of peace instead of making money their God, like in some countries.Thanks, Nina, for your wonderful input. It's a pleasure discussing things with you🤗
@LilMissAnonyMOUSE This is what I like about SW, it's possible to have conversations here.
What are relations between residents and the authorities like in Spain. If I read the tabloid press in the UK (Daily Mail and the like) it's easy to get the impression that it's more than a bit complicated and in places corrupt (especially with regard to land ownership, building regulations, etc.). What's it really like?
@ninalanyon I agree. If we look hard enough, past the political bickering, religious,racial and all forms of discrimination , fortunately we could find forums and posts where members have a nice time discussing things that help us learn more about each other and the world.
Spain has 2 dominant political parties, as well as others but they are not as powerful. The Socialist who define themselves as left-wing, socio-democrats and then there is the right-wing conservative and Christian democratic political party. The fierce battle between the two parties is leaving the Spanish people fed up with all politicians. Spain is a progressive country; we have many products sold around the world and have topped tourism in Europe for a decades now. As I have mentioned, we have a good health system and education system but despite all the money coming in, every government is stingy when it comes to paying the citizens their salary. I mean, it's not so bad, we get by, but it should be higher. The buying power of the people directly affects the stability of the country's economy but these politicians spend the money elsewhere and not on the people. Both parties have had accusations of having a few corrupt members and meanwhile, a far-right(extreme?) political party is gaining momentum. It's the sign of the times, many countries in Europe have parties going full defensive mode but not just in Europe, in other countries around the world too. If it were up to me, I'd put all the trouble makers in a rocket and send them off to Mars where they could fight amongst themselves and leave the rest of us here to live in peace and harmony ☺
Currently in Spain, mobile homes and prefabricated houses are not allowed on rustic terrains /rural land, only on urban land and they charge a maximum fee of 1000 euros for a permit/license to build them. Only those involved in agriculture, forestry and farming are allowed to build housing in rural land and always in conjunction with the activity. Unlike in the US where one can buy a plot of rural land and settle their tiny house on it, Spain may take a while before they allow it so people are currently buying land close to towns, still considered urban and building prefabricated homes on them. Spain has a small population and a lot of available land, and the government is (supposedly) strict about who they sell them to...but as with all countries, the millionaires are often an exception🤷♀
On the negative side they would be pure misery for a physically handicapped person. Impossible to get beyond the front door for someone in a wheelchair.
While that may not be seem important to an able body 50 year old, the thought of having to shop for a new house while hospitalized and recovering from hip surgery is a bit of a turnoff.
An interesting comparison is between the home pictured above to what's being sold to seniors in many senior-living communities.
@Heartlander You're right, tiny homes as they are now with a bedroom loft are not ideal for those with physical limitations unless it's all one level.But then for those wheelchair bound, such a limited space would make it very difficult to maneuver around.
True, the last thing one needs after such intervention would be to search for a house.
I do hope they make special consideration when building these homes for the physically challenged and senior citizens, the requirements are totally different and it should meet their special needs.
@SunshineGirl Yes, I think the best solution for those who would like this style of homes would, from the onset, be part of the creative process. Make their own design that would fit their needs and aesthetic.
I have one in my back yard that I rent out. It is 350 sq ft and some tenants like it better than an apartment in a multi-unit building. I have land that I may retire to with a smallish prefab house of maybe 600 sq ft.
I live in one right now. It's actually pretty tiny. Like really really tiny...:) I love it but it's been rainy days I couldn't even do yoga because of the space....
@being I have seen people extend their space by making a deck outside with a pergola/roof, which can be enclosed with panels on the side to protect from rain, cold and wind.You can do your yoga there and entertain more people ☺
I kind of need my space at home. Also because I work from home most days 😁 I also need some space to myself sometimes which I feel would not really be possible there. But if it’s for a month or so or as a vacation rental then definitely 😁
@kimmy159 That is why I am also hesitant to consider it. If one lived alone,it's fine and you can always have an extended patio which can be closed up for a studio or homeoffice...but if one lived with someone else, perhaps such a reduced space is limiting and can give a sense of lack of private space which we can need once in a while.
As a vacation rental, even as a summer retreat, I think I would be a lot of fun too ☺
@LilMissAnonyMOUSE I have a husband and an almost 6yo boy who’s very loud and active (which I like mostly). We actually don’t have a big house, I think it’s about 150 square meters of built / living space including the garage, but we all have our own space and a seperate desk/gaming room which is also our guest room lol. I wouldn’t want to go smaller than that as I already felt like we miss having an extra room or more roomier rooms lol. Luckily we do have quite a big garden for our dog and kid or just to relax 😁
@kimmy159 I perfectly see your point. With a growing family , in case you decide to have more children, downsizing is not very practical. Pets too need space, which is a good thing you have a garden for them to run freely and for your child to play safely. A tiny home could be a bit of a problem for cat owners if they aren't allowed to roam outdoors, they are quick on their feet and may escape and you can lose them, unlike dogs, who you call and they come to you.Having a garage is a plus, especially in areas where the winter can get severe, snow makes your car stall unless protected from it.
a Fixed house has water, sewer, electricity, heating all setup. These portables have no sewer or water. If the property line had those maybe they can be connected, water would be easy I would think, and electricity, but the sewer part not so sure. Guess you could use a composting toilet, or an outhouse (not great when there are lots of bugs, or in Winter). I like the idea of them, they look pretty neat, and would be super easy to keep clean. You would not have a lot of room for stuff though, so would have to be careful what you bought. Guess you could add some kind of locking shed outside if you have room.
Those are valid points. I guess it all depends on what people want and are willing to do and willing to live without when living in a tiny house.There are two kinds tiny house dwellers, those who want to live totally off-grid meaning they use stored water, solar panels, they recycle grey water (using it to water plants), for those with land, an underground septic tank is an option where you hire a company to periodically empty it or a simple composting toilet as you had mentioned.Then there are those who prefer to station their tiny house in areas where campers are, meaning water, electricity and waste disposal are provided at a monthy cost as well as renting the spot where the house is parked.
True, it's important to know what to bring into the house due to the limited space. Yes, I think it's a good idea to have an extra shed ...and maybe even an elevated deck where they could use the crawl space beneath it to store more things.
@CountScrofula It's nice when we reach that moment of contentment and feel we do not need more or less...that it's just right for your needs and those who share your life☺
It’s definitely one I’d love in when I retire. It’s just enough. I spend a lot of time outdoors so don’t need a lot of space. Also, no mortgage or crazy property taxes
@StevetheSleeve I get your point, yeah. I have never tried it. I guess some either get claustrophobic, a lack of ample space can feel confining, as you say.
We are in a tiny house, i don't love it because we have too much clutter .. if we got rid of the stuff before we moved then maybe it would have been fine .. idk 😏
My wife and I have one on wheels. It's fabulous for traveling, but I wouldn't want to live in it. There are also other things to consider like your age and mobility. Most tiny home bedrooms are on the second floor. Can you go up and down the stairs? If you still have a spouse or child living with you I wouldn't want to do it either. Here is a picture of ours.
@Heartlander I understand. I definitely prefer our single family home. We have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 2 car garage and our own private in ground pool. We also own the spare lot on each side of us and the two directly behind us. 🙂
@Musicman A cousin had a similar motor home except it was more towable with sides that expanded once parked. And a power pickup to tow it and detach once parked. They had early retirement and spent their sixties fulfilling their plan to travel 49 states. They came through here a few times and shared refreshing glimpses of their wanderlust as they recounted their adventures.
@Heartlander Back in the 70's I had a Aunt and Uncle who did the same thing. They lived full time in their motorhome for 11 years. Ours has four slides that open when we are parked. So far our longest trips, we have done this twice, is seven weeks.
@smileylovesgaming I think that's wonderful, he has the skills and had the space to build it, not to mention he had free rein to design it according to his needs and his taste☺👍
@LilMissAnonyMOUSE Im not interested in joining a cult or something. I don’t give a fuck if I qualify or not. I’m simply interested is living in a small efficient space with an additional protected structure for my car and other possessions
@akindheart Oh yes, a good van equipped with all one requires when traveling (bed,toilet and a tiny kitchenette) and do a little bit of van life while traveling to see beautiful places☺👍
@CrazyMusicLover Yes , me too. if I HAD to, I can do it. I cook and bake , so I don't know ...a tiny kitchen is like a pantry size closet considering the amount of kitchen tools I have🤭
@LilMissAnonyMOUSE I didn't even think about that. 😅 It's not a good life. A proper life needs a garden where you can grow at least some stuff, an appropriately big kitchen AND a pantry to store stuff. I also like a big freezer to store meat and frozen fruits and vegetables. I mean, what can you do in a tiny house? You can as well go to live in an apartment.
@CrazyMusicLover In the end, it all depends on each person's needs...like, a minimalist has fewer things and prefers to live with less things. However, you and me with quite a lot of things that need enough storage space...well, the thought of downsizing can be a bit daunting lol. Maybe when I'm much older I'd have reached the point of having to live with less stuff ☺
@tobynshorty I do see the appeal after a retirement...to just focus on other things; relaxation, no spending a few hours keeping a big home clean, not keeping too many stuff that turn into clutter..just minimalistic living 😊👍
@Selah I didn't know what a shotgun house is so I just looked it up. I think it's an interesting architectural concept and what's more, it's very unique. Perhaps even the modern trend of ''open concept ''may have taken a few pointers from shotgun houses.
@jackrabbit10 Yes, structural integrity should be considered, most definitely. Lightning though...it's so random and can hit anybody anywhere...perhaps avoiding being directly under trees would help since trees do attract lightning, especially tall ones.
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow It may be possible one day...some tiny house owners after having been successful at saving money to now buy a house are selling their tiny houses for a much cheaper price. You can research a bit...who knows, maybe a tiny house is out there waiting for you to own it. Good luck😊
@LilMissAnonyMOUSE Honestly I would love to have a tiny home and like 4, or 5 acres and just a small town close enough for supplies. And maybe satellite internet. lol
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow A tiny house like that in a scenic open space sounds nice on paper but it's not as safe as a proper house in a neighbourhood
@Jexie First off it is just a picture. There are tiny homes in urban areas too. And again safety has nothing to do with square footage.
And tactically speaking bigger homes put you at a disadvantage if you somehow manage to get on the wrong side of a home invasion. More points of entry that cannot all be secured.
Apartments are probably alot more dangerous. hundreds of strangers in and out, most who don't pay attention who comes in the door behind them. Hell I am personally aware of meth labs in apartments in "nice" neighbourhoods.
And the biggest indicator of whether you are safe in your own home usually has more to do with who you associate with and minding your business.
Also it depends on where you live in a rural area. I live on the prairies. Nothing but flat open ground for miles. Even a military unit would have a hard time sneaking up on anyone.
Open spaces you mentioned earlier means no cover anywhere.
In my experience safety is being well away from people and being able to see people coming a long way off.
This comes from 15 years in the inner city and several in the burbs too.
