Could you live in a 128 foot square home?

[laurend1985]

It's about the size of a parking lot space. I used feel my home was too small but not anymore. We have a full attic and basement that is not finished. It wasn't until Sept 11 we started utilizing our dining room. I have a 100 year old bungalow and it has 3 rooms but nothing really large. A 128 foot square home is to small for me and my hubby but I don't need or desire the large home anymore. What about you?


My House Is Smaller Than a Parking Space | LearnVest

[maat55]

I really want to build my own small cabin on some land. I have seen those small houses on wheels and think they are very useful for certain types of uses. I would not want to live longterm in one, but it would be great for traveling and camping situations.

There is a small house movement, but I would want at least 600-1000 SF. I have studied building a small cabin and using solar/wind/water for power. I like the idea of being completely off grid.

[YLTL_Dan]

No.. my dog would take up about half, and my wife would take up the other 3/4's (you do the math). We have a 1400 sq ft house now, and we could comfortably go down to 800 sq ft and not notice too much. I like that we started small instead of buying a big 3000 sq ft house and feeling like 2000 sq ft is a huge downgrade.

[humandraydel]

I really want to build my own small cabin on some land. I have seen those small houses on wheels and think they are very useful for certain types of uses. I would not want to live longterm in one, but it would be great for traveling and camping situations.

There is a small house movement, but I would want at least 600-1000 SF. I have studied building a small cabin and using solar/wind/water for power. I like the idea of being completely off grid.

I have the same dream. I've also studied the subject a lot. Are you interested in alternative building materials/methods as well?

[heyaim]

We live in 1000 sq ft home now...3 bedroom, 1 bath with full basement on 2 acres of land. It's plenty big enough for myself, hubby and 2 teen kids. We are rarely inside, except during cold and rainy weather. I've never really wanted a larger house. Being house poor has never been appealing to me.

After the kids are gone, hubby and I plan on downsizing a bit...if we can buy a little fixer upper at a great price. Or possibly build a 3 car garage with our living area above. But no, I don't think I could live in a 128 sq ft house. Although I do love our camper... I could live there...after the kids are moved out. It's 35' long, so it's about 280 sq ft. I actually like my camper more than my house.

[riverwed070707]

Ya no way. I live in 625 sq feet now and despite it being tight at times, we love it. Having great outdoor space was more imporant to us than having a big house, and we've shaved a signifcant amount off our expenses. I really can't imagine going smaller though. More power to them, but having to take the toilet out of the house to shower is more sacrifice than I'm willing to make. Giving up the bath tub was about as far as I go!

[disneysteve]

I could probably manage it on my own but certainly not with my wife and daughter.

My first dorm room in college was 10x10, so 100 sq ft. And I shared that with another guy. Of course, that didn't include the bathroom or kitchen which was located in the hall.

At this stage in my life, I'd have no interest or desire in living that way, and I have too damn much stuff to even think about it, but when I was young and relatively unencumbered, I could have made it work.

[kork13]

Could I? Yes. You CAN live in a cardboard box. Doesn't mean I'm going to. I was thinking back to college as well. My first dorm room was ~150 sq-ft (no bathroom/kitchen amenities in the room), and shared it with 2 other guys. Yes, it is livable. There's also no way that I would willingly live in something so small.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

So is that her honkin' big truck the little house on wheels is hitched to in one photo? Seems in congruous.

Nope, I would not want to live in so little space. My garden supplies alone take up that much space. Heck, just one work bench takes up 1/8 of it.

In many places I don't think you could legally get by with living in that wooden trailer wheels, or not. Codes would say it needs to be anchored to the ground even if it is on wheels if you are going to live in it. Heck even our little garden sheds in my city must have a foundation secure enough to bolt or tie-down the shed. This is not just for your safety, but for the safety and protection of your neighbors who would not appreciate your trailer going all Dorothy-in-Oz.

The described utility arrangements would not be allowed in many places either. Temporary extension cords used to supply permanent power would get you tickets, summonses, and health department citations. The composting toilet is not allowed at this point in my city either. By the way, where is would that shower drain? What about any other water used for cleaning such as for dishes and clothes or simply washing hands?

I know there are people living in travel trailers in others' back yards and driveways. I know there are people living in detached garages with extension cords running out to power lights and heater. But the city here will shut it down pronto when it comes to their attention. Quite a few neighbors are apt to see a tiny house snuck into a nearby yard as a threat and report it.

Imagine trying to set up in the back yard in an area with a HOA! Forget it.

Try having a child in such a dwelling and see what happens legally. I knew a woman who with her daughter was living in a large teepee on a farm. Can you say, "child protective services?" I don't know what ultimately would have happened if she resisted, but she closed up the teepee under the threat of having her child taken into state custody.

Living in a tiny itinerant house may sound romantic, but I think that unless you have a place to basically hide it, your house may be under frequent threat.

[laurend1985]

I'm reading the comments LMAO, some of you guys are too funny.

[EEinNJ]

I like alternative structures, pre-fab & such. They can be efficient, affordable (but not cheap per square foot) and stylish. Lots of people live in small spaces temporarily, like college dorms, suite hotels, retirees in campers, or live-aboard sailors. There's no room for things besides essentials. Having hobbies or collections, boxes of Christmas decorations, your college textbooks, etc.is impossible

Permanently living in a small house can be problematic and frustrating. My first house was a 1 bath, 1 bedroom cottage, with one large closet and a low ceilinged attic, for 2 of us. Fortunately it had a large shed (maybe 128 sq ft!) but storage was a constant problem.

[riverwed070707]

So is that her honkin' big truck the little house on wheels is hitched to in one photo? Seems in congruous.

Nope, I would not want to live in so little space. My garden supplies alone take up that much space. Heck, just one work bench takes up 1/8 of it.

In many places I don't think you could legally get by with living in that wooden trailer wheels, or not. Codes would say it needs to be anchored to the ground even if it is on wheels if you are going to live in it. Heck even our little garden sheds in my city must have a foundation secure enough to bolt or tie-down the shed. This is not just for your safety, but for the safety and protection of your neighbors who would not appreciate your trailer going all Dorothy-in-Oz.

The described utility arrangements would not be allowed in many places either. Temporary extension cords used to supply permanent power would get you tickets, summonses, and health department citations. The composting toilet is not allowed at this point in my city either. By the way, where is would that shower drain? What about any other water used for cleaning such as for dishes and clothes or simply washing hands?

I know there are people living in travel trailers in others' back yards and driveways. I know there are people living in detached garages with extension cords running out to power lights and heater. But the city here will shut it down pronto when it comes to their attention. Quite a few neighbors are apt to see a tiny house snuck into a nearby yard as a threat and report it.

Imagine trying to set up in the back yard in an area with a HOA! Forget it.

Try having a child in such a dwelling and see what happens legally. I knew a woman who with her daughter was living in a large teepee on a farm. Can you say, "child protective services?" I don't know what ultimately would have happened if she resisted, but she closed up the teepee under the threat of having her child taken into state custody.

Living in a tiny itinerant house may sound romantic, but I think that unless you have a place to basically hide it, your house may be under frequent threat.

I've read a lot of these minimalistic stories and you know, I'd never even considered the legalities of such living. I realize they are in the Northwest but here in the midwest, it would certainly be concerning to me to be on unstable wheels during a major storm or worse a tornado. I also wonder about the longevity of these homes -- a house is built to last a long time, are these small (yet pricy for the size!) abodes designed to last 50-100 years with just regular maintenance or do they wear out much quicker? For $35k, you could purchase a relatively nice mobile home, hold the same values, be moble but have an actual bathroom, living room and bedroom.

[JoeP]

I would not. I enjoy having room to sprawl out, find a little privacy, play drums, watch a movie on netflix, chase my dog around, etc. Plus, we have seasons, so I'm not sure how we'd store all the clothing and footwear. Plus, I have hobbies that require space.

[SnapDuck]

I'm sure that I could but I'm also sure that my wife couldn't. We're slowly working our way in that direction though. We went from 2,800 sq ft with our first home (if only I knew better) down to 2,000 sq ft now.

[maat55]

I have the same dream. I've also studied the subject a lot. Are you interested in alternative building materials/methods as well?

I've considered natural logs, cinder blocks and even a yurt. What kind of materials and methods are you refering to?