Okay, so I hear this story on the radio the other day, about a guy who lives in a 70 square foot house.
70. Two digits.
He's not poor, he's just weird.
So then they start talking about the 'tiny house movement.' Yep, they claim to be a movement. Though everyone I see moving is part of the bigger-if-shoddily-built-house movement.
But I went to the web site of Tumbleweed Tiny Houses. And I caught myself digging these things.
I remember back when I was married, we'd tour these mega homes and get all slack-jawed at them. Or even modestly larger homes, something we tried at one point to move to, but our dump wouldn't sell.
But I struggle with keeping up with the housework on the house I've got, what's the huge benefit of having yet anothe toilet to scrub? Another room to vaccum?
How much of my house do I really occupy and use? Almost none of it. I need a hallway why? To connect rooms that could be put together differently so you don't need a hallway.
I couldn't go down to 70 square feet. That guy doesn't truly live in 70 square feet, because he has to go to his Dad's house to shower. Plus, he's nuts to live sans basement in the Midwest.
And maybe I kid myself that such a structure would cure me of my packrat ways.
I know the NPR types who were pimping these things think of them as environmentally friendly, with their composting toilets and other hippie gear, but using less resources means more money for a gas guzzling pickup to tow your portable house behind, right?
Using less resources to get the same job done is what capitalism is all about, man.
Peace.
9 comments:
Are there no hippies in Kansas?
My books alone wouldn’t be safely housed in such a place.
Cute though.
And I wonder how many Mexicans can fit in one...
I heard this same story on NPR a few months back. It sounds like a good idea on paper, but I too have a ton of crap. I also like to take showers at home and not carrying some toiletries case over to Mom's.
I am doing fine in my 1,000 sq ft. Some people don't mind.
I have fell in love with these tiny houses. I can see where there needs to be some improvemant though.
OK, I get what you're saying but sometimes the motive in building a TH isn't mainly it's low-impact on the environment. Sometimes the main reason people opt to go 'Tiny,' as in my case, is it's low impact on finances. I'm 60, live alone and depend on a fixed income (widow's benefits).
That's kinda rude! I know several people who have built these to get started in early years of marriage. Living simple and modestly so as to save responsibly for their future. Then built beautiful simple but slightly larger homes so they could raise children and used the tiny house as a granny unit. Why would you even say that about the "Mexicans "?
Wow, this post is almost ten years old, I'd kinda forgot it. Anyway, I don't get what you're saying about the Mexicans, Brandie. I think I posted this right after first encountering Tumbleweed Tiny Houses in an NPR story, but I've revisited the concept over the years and it's pretty neat. I even sketched out some floor plans for houses that would allow for some workshop/studio/storage/brewery options in a basement while keeping the 'house' part to less than 300 square feet. I've never built it, so I guess I'm just another wannabe.
Anyway, I have over 3,000 posts on this blog at this point, a blog that originated when I was still married to the artist formerly known as Frau Lobster, long before I met my current wife. A lot has changed in and around me, and if this came off as someone making fun of people living simply and modestly I'm truly sorry because the current me admires simple modest living.
I am thinking about building a tiny house on a trailer. Its going to be much cheaper financially. I hate renting an apartment I can't keep. The idea of having no housing cost after it is paid off is also really appealing. I have seen a lot if them and they have the same amenities as a regular home (complete bathroom w/tub, kitchen, ect.) Mine will look and feel like a regular home. Its a great way to save money, travel, or do other things you are passionate about.
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