I know from a prepping perspective these people may not have much to go on, but it's nice to see people living within their means. This family downsized to a 320 square foot home which they own completely. In tough financial times, they decided this was their responsible choice, and they seem to be making it work. Some of the efficiency in storage space is pretty impressive too.
Responsible Living: 320 sq ft home
Pragmatist
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Yep, clutter is your enemy
:
We are a family of 4 and I would love to drop down to a TH, but we are still working getting our clutter down to something manageable. I have thought about building a TH in my backyard with bales and mud, but have done it yet.
:We are a family of 4 and I would love to drop down to a TH, but we are still working getting our clutter down to something manageable. I have thought about building a TH in my backyard with bales and mud, but have done it yet.
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3,602 Posts
when the kids were small we lived in 790 sq ft and were happy, planning to stay there forever. Spouse Job transferred and now we are in 1200 sq ft... with both kids gone at this stage, it seems like a rambling mansion and I wish we could downsize again. but like ComancheSniper, I too have been voted down. : (
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4,086 Posts
my place is a large enough to hold me and my supplies and keep thing's decuttered with each item haveing own space inside the place along with it beenig paided for and the only thing i own on it are the yearly taxs that i pay the county
it about 750.sq ft total of liveing and stowage area the storage space is bigger than the liveing space set up
it about 750.sq ft total of liveing and stowage area the storage space is bigger than the liveing space set up
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2,627 Posts
There is a whole movement on this stuff.
Google "Tiny Houses"
Google "Tiny Houses"
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217 Posts
With 8-12 people under our roof at any given time, 3000 sq. feet sure SEEMS like we already live in a tiny home.
:+N
Its a really good idea for a vacation house. When you have a family though, you need space. That poor kid in the first video probably has to listen to his parents bumping uglies. Also that kid is never going to be able to bring a girl back to his house. It really kills his social life I imagine.
Ill stick with my mortage payment personally.
Ill stick with my mortage payment personally.
I lived in Venice, California for years. Lots of the houses there are "beach shacks" - in the 350-400 foot range. My first wife and I lived in one of those "tiny" houses and we couldn't have been happier. We had a bedroom, a kitchen, and an additional room that was the living room-office-dining room all in one.
You don't need much space to be happy.
My second wife and I live in a 3 bedroom house. We never use and barely go into the two extra bedrooms. We barely use the dining room. And we don't need half as much kitchen as we have. I'd happily shuck this for a small cabin in the woods.
But... if I wanted to build/buy the perfect survival retreat... I'd definitely need some space in order to design a home that had it all.
You don't need much space to be happy.
My second wife and I live in a 3 bedroom house. We never use and barely go into the two extra bedrooms. We barely use the dining room. And we don't need half as much kitchen as we have. I'd happily shuck this for a small cabin in the woods.
But... if I wanted to build/buy the perfect survival retreat... I'd definitely need some space in order to design a home that had it all.
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574 Posts
past 3 yrs wife and I along with 2 kids been living in a 600 sq/ft apartment, but we do have a storage shed we store a lot of crap in
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3,277 Posts
We built ours for about $20k. 640 sqft. We didn't skimp on materials. We used 2x10 for floor joists @16" on center and 2x6 for the walls with 2x8 roof joists, all 16" oc. 1" T&G plywood floor. We also used 1/2" OSB on inner and outer walls and roof. We insulated it R30 roof and floor, R19 walls. We used metal roofing instead of shingles. We could have built it for less, but not as well. What i'm getting to here is, she said that place of hers was $20k and it's half the size and nowhere near as well built. Do it yourself. It is a feeling like no other. You have the advantage of knowing it is done well and correctly. You know where every wire is and every nail. I was so afraid when i started mine. Now, i know i can do anything needed.
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3,760 Posts
We lived in a two-bedroom apartment for a couple of years, regrouping after losing our 4-bedroom home. Just small, not tiny. It was good for our family. We were much closer by the end of it. In some ways I miss that - the closeness, not the claustrophobia.
It was good for our family. We were much closer by the end of it. In some ways I miss that - the closeness, not the claustrophobia.
We live in a early 1900's house a bit over 1000 sq ft. It is plenty big for the two of us,2 big dogs and 2 cats. We also have a 20' yurt from Pacific yurts at a gold claim we spend most of the summer working. The yurt works very well and sure beats living in a tent or camper all summer.
Small is better!
Red
Small is better!
Red
I *LOVE* the tiny house movement and the tumbleweed houses. My wife and I are complete opposites. I'm a minimalist. My wife is not. My first house was probably 550-600ft and it was plenty for me. When we met and decided to get married I sold mine to move into hers - a 3300sq ft. monstrosity. And its *FILLED* with crap. And the garage is *FILLED* with crap. And the back shed is almost the same way. Its disgusting. Drives me nuts. (The way our relationship is going anyway, I may not have to worry about it for long.) She just can't see living on less. This will be a huge problem if TSHTF. She says she wants to get rid of stuff and downsize but she really isn't until she is absolutely forced to for some reason. No lie I myself could live comfortably in my camper trailer, no problem. I should order some brochures and literature from some of these companies.
The other problem is some areas' won't allow houses like that. Theres' a minimum sq. ft. requirement or crap like that. Now I'll admit some of the houses shown here are just too small, like the one ComancheSniper showed. But I certainly would go back to 500-ish sq. ft. no problem.
The other problem is some areas' won't allow houses like that. Theres' a minimum sq. ft. requirement or crap like that. Now I'll admit some of the houses shown here are just too small, like the one ComancheSniper showed. But I certainly would go back to 500-ish sq. ft. no problem.
Buy a bunch of plastic olive barrels and bury them. Your food stash will be nice and cool,dry and secured from thieves. A decent sized heavy water tank buried would be another option.
Red
Red
I grew up in a 900 sq ft house with my parents and 3 sisters and a brother. My dad converted the garage into their bedroom. When we moved out....he made it back into a carport. It was cramped. I just moved from 2400 sq ft to 1600....and feel like I'm in a coop...lol But storage here is at a minimum, and a shed helped out.
Try this little house....yikes!! But it's kinda cool, too.
Try this little house....yikes!! But it's kinda cool, too.
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3,760 Posts
I really hate that cube thing. Totally unlivable.
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I feel a bit sad for that kid in the first vid. He's not going to be inviting friends over for sure.
As far as home size, I guess its comparible to a NYC apartment in size and cost. But a home is a bit more than 4 walls and a roof. ITs a neighborhood, a school district, a gathering place and an assett. Not sure how a feel about his 24/7.
As far as home size, I guess its comparible to a NYC apartment in size and cost. But a home is a bit more than 4 walls and a roof. ITs a neighborhood, a school district, a gathering place and an assett. Not sure how a feel about his 24/7.
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