topic Re: Tiny Houses, anyone? in Home

Tiny Houses, anyone?

Imadickens — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:01:28 GMT

As I've been hit with this respiratory ailment, again ( had bronchitis in August for two weeks!) I was in bed all day yesterday. I caught a Tiny House marathon. I think some of them are quite nice and space is thoughtfully prepared. Others, well, I'm not living there so... I think it's a neat idea! Anyone else ever think about "down sizing" into a new type of "mobile home"

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

conlt — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:03:50 GMT

I live in as tiny as a house as I want to, 1100 sq feet. I like the show though but those houses are so tiny that they give me some anxiety. I guess I know how hard it is to actually like in a small living space.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

chrystaltree — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:14:23 GMT

I watch the show and I like how creative the designers are with the space. But I could never go that small. First. there are two of us and as much as I love hubby, we need some space between us. We'd be divorced within a year if we had to live on top of each other in a mini house. One might work as weekend or vacation home. Maybe....

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

!FitChick! — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:13:45 GMT

My husband is 6'4 and very claustrophobic- Not a chance!

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

151949 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:16:58 GMT

IMO - they are NOT a good choice. They are much too expensive, way too heavy for those who want to move them around , and the interiors are not well planned. Look at plans for camping trailers and motorhomes and you'll see much better use of space, prettier interiors etc plus they have important mechanicals like fridge & water heaters that runs on both electric & gas, furniture that serves multiple purposes and just much better space planning. Also tanks to hold fresh water and waste water until it can be emptied into appropriate waste water facilities. Also most campers have back up battery power if you don't have electric for some light or maybe an emergency radio. If you switch the water heater and fridge to gas - you already have a gas stove - if you have candles or hurricane lanterns you could go a pretty long time without electric in a camper. Just all in all a camper is a much better use of money. 3 years ago we bought a mid price 400sq ft(42 ft long with 3 slide outs) camping trailer. We were able to custom design - with the assisitance of the Hy Line designer - our interior to suit our needs as each one is custom made, and we are very comfortable in our home away from home - not at all cramped - all medium tone cherry interior just very very nice and it was only $45,000. I see on those tiny home shows people pay that much for 100sq ft. and very basic living conditions.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

hoosieroriginal — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:19:41 GMT

I lived in a 650 sq ft 1 bedroom in San Diego for 3 years, a Sears original craftsman - built in secretary desk and a closet where there used to be a Murphy bed - it was lovely - easy to clean and you are outdoors most of the time in that lovely weather. When I moved back to Indiana, my sister told me "buy a large house because if you don't you will be stir crazy in the winter". I bought a 2800 sq foot 3 level home. I rarely use the loft bedroom (except for guests). I do use the walkout basement in the summer instead of living upstairs because it is 20 degrees cooler. It is hard to heat though with three levels. If I could afford it I would definitely downsize to a space half this size. But I love my home and 3/4 acre - it's my little piece of heaven.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

Katluver925 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:21:11 GMT

I enjoy watching those shows, but often wonder how you change sheets in some of those lofts with no or very little space around the mattress. It must be a challenge. I'm claustrophobic, so I couldn't sleep in those lofts with very little head room. I think I'll stick to my 1300 sq ft house, the closets are already small, so I can't imagine trying to keep my stuff in a cubby hole they call a closet.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

conlt — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:28:12 GMT

I would not like a house that big either. It is nice to have just 1 level especially as we age.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

Goldengate8361 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:48:40 GMT

I would NEVER consider living in a tiny house. I, for one, am baffled by this trend. I live alone (with cats) in a 3,000 sq foot house and I think it's just about right for me. I think it's a fad that will pass....(just my humble opinion). 🙂

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

kaydee50 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:49:13 GMT

I don't understand the concept of that show. Why not just buy a nice RV most of which are so well designed and reasonably priced? I would also like to see a follow up to these shows especially the one where they had 3 kids and were living in a tiny house of about 300 sq. ft. Are they kidding???

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

Mominohio — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:49:55 GMT

A tiny house isn't for me at this particular point in my life, but I'm always open to how different our lives are or can be and any given point throughout the time we are here.

Very early on when we don't have much, or maybe later in life after kids are raised,or a space of your own at a "part time of the year" residence or camping property, I can see where something like this would be an option for many, even me!

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

AuntG — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:51:08 GMT

A well appointed camper or small mobile home would make more sense to me. DH and I could live in a small home(maybe 800 square feet) as long as we had a basement and garage.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

pommom — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 15:55:20 GMT

@kaydee50

My thoughts exactly about kids. As they get older not only will they want and need more space/privacy, but would want their friends over.

Although I don't particulary like cavernous dwellings, these are way too cramped for my liking.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

Moonchilde — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:06:52 GMT

There's tiny and there's "joke." Having lived in 600-800 sqf apts most of my life, I know what's livable for one person, on average. I couldn't imagine living in less than 450 sqf. Anything more than 600 sqf isn't "tiny" AFAIC. But these people looking at the 150 sqf "houses"? Joke.

The biggest stumbling block for me in every tiny house I've seen is that the beds are all lofts. Physically, no can do. Can't do the ladders, and am claustrophobic just enough that I wouldn't sleep in a space that has little more than MRI headroom.

Have they ever shown a tiny house where the main bed *wasn't* in a loft?

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

Goldengate8361 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:07:00 GMT

@kaydee50 I'd love to see a follow-up show, too! ...maybe after the first year or so. Wonder what the divorce rate is for couples that move into a tiny home? LOL

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

ALRATIBA — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:10:22 GMT

I moved from a 4 bedroom 2 bath house into a one bedroom, one bath apt. This is about as small a I'm going!

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

chrystaltree — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:21:03 GMT

@151949 wrote:
IMO - they are NOT a good choice. They are much too expensive, way too heavy for those who want to move them around , and the interiors are not well planned. Look at plans for camping trailers and motorhomes and you'll see much better use of space, prettier interiors etc plus they have important mechanicals like fridge & water heaters that runs on both electric & gas, furniture that serves multiple purposes and just much better space planning. Also tanks to hold fresh water and waste water until it can be emptied into appropriate waste water facilities. Also most campers have back up battery power if you don't have electric for some light or maybe an emergency radio. If you switch the water heater and fridge to gas - you already have a gas stove - if you have candles or hurricane lanterns you could go a pretty long time without electric in a camper. Just all in all a camper is a much better use of money. 3 years ago we bought a mid price 400sq ft(42 ft long with 3 slide outs) camping trailer. We were able to custom design - with the assisitance of the Hy Line designer - our interior to suit our needs as each one is custom made, and we are very comfortable in our home away from home - not at all cramped - all medium tone cherry interior just very very nice and it was only $45,000. I see on those tiny home shows people pay that much for 100sq ft. and very basic living conditions.

Well! That does it! Cancel show and those tiny house owners who think they are happy with them should just burn them down and go find apartments....lol

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

chrystaltree — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:22:12 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@151949 wrote:
IMO - they are NOT a good choice. They are much too expensive, way too heavy for those who want to move them around , and the interiors are not well planned. Look at plans for camping trailers and motorhomes and you'll see much better use of space, prettier interiors etc plus they have important mechanicals like fridge & water heaters that runs on both electric & gas, furniture that serves multiple purposes and just much better space planning. Also tanks to hold fresh water and waste water until it can be emptied into appropriate waste water facilities. Also most campers have back up battery power if you don't have electric for some light or maybe an emergency radio. If you switch the water heater and fridge to gas - you already have a gas stove - if you have candles or hurricane lanterns you could go a pretty long time without electric in a camper. Just all in all a camper is a much better use of money. 3 years ago we bought a mid price 400sq ft(42 ft long with 3 slide outs) camping trailer. We were able to custom design - with the assisitance of the Hy Line designer - our interior to suit our needs as each one is custom made, and we are very comfortable in our home away from home - not at all cramped - all medium tone cherry interior just very very nice and it was only $45,000. I see on those tiny home shows people pay that much for 100sq ft. and very basic living conditions.

Well! That does it! Cancel that show and those tiny house owners who think they are happy with them should just burn them down and go find apartments....lol

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

151949 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:51:50 GMT

@chrystaltree Well I guess you liked your nasty response to my opinion so much you posted it twice.

Re: Tiny Houses, anyone?

151949 — Sun, 02 Oct 2016 16:53:59 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
@151949 wrote:
IMO - they are NOT a good choice. They are much too expensive, way too heavy for those who want to move them around , and the interiors are not well planned. Look at plans for camping trailers and motorhomes and you'll see much better use of space, prettier interiors etc plus they have important mechanicals like fridge & water heaters that runs on both electric & gas, furniture that serves multiple purposes and just much better space planning. Also tanks to hold fresh water and waste water until it can be emptied into appropriate waste water facilities. Also most campers have back up battery power if you don't have electric for some light or maybe an emergency radio. If you switch the water heater and fridge to gas - you already have a gas stove - if you have candles or hurricane lanterns you could go a pretty long time without electric in a camper. Just all in all a camper is a much better use of money. 3 years ago we bought a mid price 400sq ft(42 ft long with 3 slide outs) camping trailer. We were able to custom design - with the assisitance of the Hy Line designer - our interior to suit our needs as each one is custom made, and we are very comfortable in our home away from home - not at all cramped - all medium tone cherry interior just very very nice and it was only $45,000. I see on those tiny home shows people pay that much for 100sq ft. and very basic living conditions.

Well! That does it! Cancel that show and those tiny house owners who think they are happy with them should just burn them down and go find apartments....lol

Amazing how people on this board get so snarky as soon as someone states some actual FACTS on a subject.