things to consider when buying a tiny home:

1. are you okay with shortened, slightly more cramped spaces?

2. do you own any pets?

3. does the tiny home you are thinking of purchasing have good property protection? (especially with it being new york)

4. do you plan to live alone or with others?

5. do you own a lot of stuff?

these were things i did NOT consider before living in one, and it definitely effected my view of them XD

they can be nice, but also come with their own downsides.

Q: are you okay with shortened, slightly more cramped spaces?

A: I think so. I'm not claustrophobic or anything like that.

Q: do you own any pets?

A: Just one 10lb cat. Do you think that would be a problem?

Q: does the tiny home you are thinking of purchasing have good property protection? (especially with it being new york)

A: I don't have anything specific in mind yet. I'm just thinking about it.

Q: do you plan to live alone or with others?

A: My situation is.... uh.... odd...... and complicated. I would be living alone but I would also have to procure living spaces for other people but that's another matter. For myself, personally, I'd be living alone.

Q: do you own a lot of stuff?

A: Nothing I'm not okay parting with. Basically all I need is my computer, a TV for my PS4, and maybe a few pieces of furniture.

"Q: do you own any pets?

A: Just one 10lb cat. Do you think that would be a problem?"


Definitely, but potentially a solvable problem. Cats get bored and like some room to run around. Aside from that, you do not want to share a space that small with a litter box. However, both of these problems can be helped by adding a 'catio' to the tiny home.

Make sure you check local laws about tiny homes before buying property. Some places are less than friendly towards them.

Be aware of your own need for space and physical limitations.

And if you find an amazing bargain on a pre-existing house, for the love of all that is holy, hire a qualified inspector and never accept the agent's word about the inspection results. Get it from the horse's mouth. Also bear in mind that the "handyman" an ad refers to is very often a demolition contractor. This wasn't your intended direction in any case, but it could crop up and look awfully attractive in the moment.

Thanks. : ) That's a good idea. Unfortunately, I am like... maybe 15% handy on a good day. Definitely not handy enough to build a catio. I'd have to hire someone. Or buy one. Still, good idea.

There's a hack a lot of people (including my wife) have been using to build catios. Don't really want to advertise, but the fact is that the product does lend itself to the project. It's such a popular hack that the zip ties used in it are even listed as the 'frequently purchased with'.

https://www.amazon.com/AHOME-Storag...../dp/B07DMDW6G7

Smart. I'll keep that in mind.

My recommendation for any home owner, especially in an unusual sort of property/structure, is learn to become handy. It's not hard, and it will serve you well. There's loads of videos, tutorials, and you could probably ask folks here for advice, also!

Aye. Agreed.

I'd have a look at Trailer homes, Cheap to buy and it's your own home, the only caveat is the land you're on. They get a bad rap but they're not bad places to live in and a better place than most apartments, you get your own yard, privacy ect.

I've lived in trailers before. I don't mind them. Only problem is that in NY, they can be pricey. I've seen new trailers going for about 100K. Even smaller ones are still like 60-80K.

I rented a nice trailer home. Only real problems with it was the location (noisy neighbors) and too hot for me (south Texas). Tiny homes seem neat, but personally I have a lot of stuff and would have a hard time with such a small space. It seems like that would not be a problem for you though,

It might be a good idea to have a tiny home that you can try out without buying. Either as an AirBnB type of thing or short term lease. I know you said that you didn't want to rent, but thought may it would work for a very short time.

I lived in a camper for a while pretty similar to this here, just not in as rough shape. Feel free to drop me a note or get my messengers off the contact list on my profile, and I work/lurk nights.

That sounds like a possibly solution that could be temporary in case you realize you really need a larger size.

Aye. It's a thought. I do have a cat though and I feel like I'd need just a little more space.

Also consider:

1) Are there any laws in the area that you want to move that ma restrict you due to minimum square footage, all homes are required to be grid tied/connected to city water/sewer?

2) There may be additional costs to run any utilities that you can't provide for yourself (connecting to the electric grid vs using solar & batteries).

Aye. I think I recall someone mentioning zoning laws and extra costs associated with utilities. Definitely something to keep in mind.

I was kinda-sorta wondering what accommodations you would make for your extended family, but living in New York, you have have more options than you would in, say, Georgia.

My brother and I lived in a mobile home (that someone had pretended was a ranch house) for ten years. We had to renovate it with a backhoe when the roofs started to let go, but it was a cheap fix during that time.

Yeah... I'm not looking to abandon them or anything but I do need my own space or I might just lose my damn mind.

And that's why my brother and I bailed on my parents as soon as I turned 21. We moved just far enough away that regular visits were inconvenient -- and Mom never got her license.

Sadly no useful info from me, but I wish you the best of luck with your situation.

These are quite nice but are startlingly expensive (considering the costs/price range )

I think you might've hit reply on the wrong comment. Unless you're saying luck is expensive nowadays, which, honestly, is also fitting.

Pretty much everything is expensive these days. :\ A nice new trailer will go for about 80K to 100K in my area.

Thanks. : )

That's a neat link!

Thanks. Much appreciated.

I stayed in a small house for a few years (600 square feet)
It was an older place built in the 30's I believe? So I can't really remark on what a new building would be like but I can talk about my experience

Id say for one person a tiny house is perfect. it was actually pretty comfortable as long as it was just me. When you start adding others you will find that you have little to no privacy, so if you're someone that enjoys alone time maybe keep that in the back of your mind.
our electric bill was always pretty low, I think in part because of the very low ceiling. I could put my full palm on it and I'm not very tall.
There was always a lot of yard work (we lived in town so lots of mowing and trimming the grass) Not bad if you don't mind it.
I did miss getting an actual bath, the space was really only big enough for a shower, so no tub.
We had our laundry room in the same room as our 'kitchen' that room was always a mess, more so when I had company move in.
definitely consider downsizing any big collections you have and think hard about storage. You're going to want it, stuff like bins kept under the beds is super nice.
other than that... hmmm
I had to clean a lot. I think in the smaller space any dust or clutter really stands out as a big mess.
there were good bits and bad bits as it is with any situation.
feel free to ask me more ^^; I'll try to be helpful

"So if you're someone that enjoys alone time maybe keep that in the back of your mind."

Yup. That's basically a fundamental aspect of my nature. XD Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say I'm antisocial, but I definitely need my me/alone time.

"I did miss getting an actual bath, the space was really only big enough for a shower, so no tub."

Yeah, I really like baths but I haven't had one in ages. I can't because the people I live with are really nasty in ways you probably don't want to hear about. So I'm fine coping with showers.

"definitely consider downsizing any big collections you have and think hard about storage. You're going to want it, stuff like bins kept under the beds is super nice."

I'm not really a "stuff" kinda person. Only things I really need are my PC, a TV for my PS4, and maybe a few pieces of furniture. Anything else I have can go.

I lived in a travel trailer for about 3 years. It was nice for a while. It can be really nice having a small place that's quick to clean and maintain. I also found that my grocery bill had slightly decreased because I had to watch what I was purchasing due to the smaller fridge and cupboards. Plus I was pretty kuch eating everything I was purchasing.
I have a small, 10 lb dog that did well in it. He was able to get out and play in the yard for exercise when needed.
Personally, if it wasn't for me having a bunch of collectibles, I'd probably still be in it. It can have its challenges, but we'll worth the saving of tike and money that comes with owning a house.

Some of the negatives were primarily with heating and cooling. In the summers, I'd have to run the ac pretty much all the time to make it cool enough to be comfy. In the winter, I had to wrap the pipes to keep them from freezing amd constantly run heat and fill propane bottles for the heaters. I'd make sure, if you can, that either the house or trailer is set up for natural gas or get a couple larger propane bottles for winter.

I couldn't get mine below 80 degrees in the summer even running AC all of the time, but I was living where it would "cool into the 90s at midnight" so I wasn't thinking AC would be as bad in NY.

Oooooh, yeah, NY can be hot as the damn Sun in the height of summer. Thankfully, this year has been fairly tepid so far but considering climate change, I don't think it's going to stay that way forever. :\

I hear ya! I was in Texas at the time. Mine had the dual ac units so it wasn't as bad, but midsummer could be rough, especially when the sun was right overhead. But I managed to stay as cool as possible. Winter was the hardest for me. It was hard to remember to get the tanks filled and I ran out a couple times, so I ended up with an electric heater just for those times.

Some of the negatives were primarily with heating and cooling. In the summers........ and fill propane bottles for the heaters.

Well, shit. That's a concern. Weather is a sticking point for me. Too much over 70f and I overhead. Too much under 50f and my fingers will literally get so cold that I physically cannot do my work. Damn.... Well, good to know. Thanks.

You are welcome! If you plan on staying around your place for a while, running electric heat can help. Tiny houses are also better suited for living in than travel trailers, or at least from what I've seen. Coming from a construction background, usually the walls are thicker and the floors are better insulated and protected. They're more designed for living rather than pleasure, if that makes sense.
But I know how cold and warm NY can get. My dad's family is from upstate NY and I've been there through the hot and cold times.
Good luck in your search!

I don't live in a tiny home, but a tiny apartment. Things I've learned is that you need to downsize A LOT, if you have pets or other people with you it will get cramped very fast and can lead to frustration. If you're on your own without another person or pets, I'd imagine it would actually be pretty good.

I only have a cat. Not ideal but at least she's only 10lbs.

I think the biggest thing to be aware of is that tiny homes are NOT the same investment as regular sized houses. Regular houses last more or less forever with maintenance, and they appreciate in value so someday you get back the equity you put into them. A tiny home is more like a car; it's going to lose all its value over time and they often have a limited anticipated lifespan.

Also, zoning and other local ordinances need close attention, because some places are codified to be hostile to tiny homes for various reasons.

"codified to be hostile to tiny homes for various reasons. "

Well... that's concerning. Jeez. Sometimes I feel like I can't catch a damn break. I just want a friggen place to live that isn't going to bankrupt me. Ughcskldfksdfkjsndf

Well, on the bright side, it's not everywhere, you just need to be diligent about doing the research and looking into areas that are tiny home friendly.
I'm sure you can find somewhere that's good for you with a little careful searching!

Are there any particular concerns you have or simply just looking for opinions from folks who have lived/live in a tiny home?

So i'm not sure what the price equates to, but there's tiny homes or prebuilt tiny cabins, either way they can be so lovely and I think it's a nice way to live if you have the interest in it.

I'm just looking for opinions for now. I haven't made my mind up about anything yet.

When we lost our house to a fire I did a lot of research on mobile and modular homes. I'm not sure what your price range may be but you may want to look at Deltech https://www.deltechomes.com

I went as far as getting quotes and site estimates. We ended up going in a different direction only due to the shape of our lot and location of our well. The existing lot would not allow for the Deltech floor plan we wanted.

I'm interested. What did the estimates/quotes look like?

Usually within a couple thousand of the "Turn Key" estimates on their web site. The tough part was finding a contractor who would do the basic site: pad, sewer, water, electric etc. and assemble the shell within spec and budget. We had been looking at the 'Solar Farmhouse" and the "Ridgeline", but, as I mentioned, our lot would not lend itself well to any of the Deltech prefabs. I was pretty lucky in that one of our close personal friends is an architect and knew some good contractors. We ended up with a modified version of a 1450 sq ft house he had originally designed for Habitat for Humanity, the design is pretty close to the "Ridgeline" with a skinnier footprint and different roofline.

The house before: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/28717365/
The blue structure is the new house. The red shed is my wife's home office. : https://www.furaffinity.net/view/31196956/

Ah, I see. Looks like a pretty sweet setup.

I think there's already some good comments here about pros and cons, my only contribution is to be mindful of how your chosen tiny house holds up to local weather events, especially considering how those events would likely become more extreme in coming decades. If your region is prone to cyclones or tornadoes, a tiny house could become an actively dangerous place to take shelter.
In a suitable climate which is well sheltered, I think they have potential to be a great choice.

Aye. True. I'm in NY. My biggest concern would be snow, with flooding as a close second.

I've honestly been looking into that market, as well as the skoolie and stealth van communities. My biggest concern with the notion of getting one of those is the fact that I want to have enough space for music, as I have guitars, a clarinet, and a drumset.

I've been considering doing that myself, mainly because I have been trying to get a full house, and it's been an absolute nightmare JUST getting pre-approval for a mortgage... even with no debt, a high credit score, and a sizeable downpayment.

Yeah... I'm not dealing with that headache again. No rent, no mortgages. Whatever I'm buying, I'm doing it outright.

Tiny homes and RV living aren't as difficult as people think. I spent 4 years using an RV as a backup residence, mostly for fun, and used models from the 80s or 90s are good choices. The benefit with those is that you can travel to greener pastures if need be.

If you want to remain stationary, tiny homes are often very expensive, even buying used. Travel trailers are nearly the same and most tiny homes are mounted, anyway. If you manage to purchase one and set up septic and whatnot, all it takes is a little creativity. For instance, the few rooms must be multipurpose. Buy a folding 4" mattress or shikibuton. Your desk is also your kitchen table, and wall mounts will be your best friend. No need for a dresser; buy a wide ottoman and it also doubles as a couch! Etc.

It's a lifestyle that embraces frugality and that good old do-it-yourself spirit that most Americans have lost decades ago, so be prepared for it to not be the most comfortable life.

I guarantee you, it would be more comfortable than my current situation. I'm living in a house with several severely hygiene-challenged, noisy, messy, lazy people, ten cats, and a 4yo who isn't potty trained and regularly craps and/or pisses on things and that's not even the worst of it.

... Okay. This definitely sounds like an upgrade!

The many benefits of tiny houses comes with a decent list of downsides. They're cheaper to heat and cool, if you want to go off-the-grid, and they have smaller electrical panels and simpler wiring, since they obviously use less power. Wind turbines and solar generators aren't going to truly replace the grid, even on a good day, but the efficiency of small homes will save you a ton of money.

The biggest problems with them is storage and significant others. Personally, I found that living with less stuff made life more enjoyable. I realized that half of my clothes were redundant, that I never watched my DVDs and that I had 1 TV too many.

I noticed that you are open to moving around NY. Have you considered RV living or are you set on a tiny house? I have personal experience with both.

I'd prefer a tinyhome but beggars can't be choosers. It's not like I have a plethora of better options. I do have an SO but she has 6 cats and is absolutely not willing to rehome even a single one and I don't want to make her choose because there's no way she won't resent me for it so. We're going to be looking at separate accommodations for her, possibly a trailer. I also have two developmentally delayed adults and their child under my care so I need to consider that as well. If it comes to it, we're considering sec-8 housing. I would rather have them somewhere nearby though because they are not independent enough to go fully unsupervised.

That's a very complex situation.

It's cheaper to build a tiny house from a kit than to buy a prefab, some of which easily run as high as $60,000+. Not sure what the market looks like now, since it was pre-Covid when I was still into it. The average was $40,000 for a tiny house prefab built on a trailer frame, which is still double the cost per square foot when compared to a pre-existing conventional house. Inflation has complicated everything even more.

That being said, there are 3 realistic options for a tiny house, if you skip hunting down a used RV or a travel trailer.

1. Prefabs. Easier for you but the most expensive. Builders usually make the houses more luxurious for obvious reasons. Delivery will be by tractor trailer (my profession) and delivery will probably be another $4,000-6,000 by itself, due to diesel costs, cargo insurance, etc. Locations will also need to be semi-truck friendly, physically and legally.

2. Construction. This option will let you choose from a ton of cool and unique floor plans, and a good crew can help you really customize your tiny house even further, but then, of course, you have to deal with zoning laws, permits and all that fun construction stuff. This is an excellent website for floor plans, should you decide you want to build.

https://www.houseplans.com/collecti.....ny-house-plans

3. Kit house. This is the cheapest option, with pre-made house kits ranging anywhere from $8,000 to $25,000 depending on quality and amenities. You can build it yourself or hire a crew. More things can go wrong but if you're on a budget, it's your best option. There are so many kit builds from so many people that the list would be mountainous, which you've probably already learned through Google searches.

Personally, I visited a few dealers in North Carolina some years back and checked out the prefab-on-wheels options. I ended up using a 25' Class A (bus style) RV because I could move it and it didn't cost $30,000. Also, I'm not much of a do-it-yourselfer.

If you have any questions about specifics, I'm always available and I'll do my best to help you. :3

This was very helpful. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

Have you looked into First Time Homeowner programs? They can be really helpful, but you'd have to stay in the house for at least 10 years.
Also where in NY are you, and if necessary, how far would you consider moving I am also in NY and some areas are definitely more affordable.

I'm currently in Ulster. I'm willing to go anywhere in NY as long as it has access to FO internet. That's a big sticking point for me.

go rent or get in a look at a class b motor-home they will be bigger..

Wonder if you could find a tiny home park near you and chat with somebody to learn more?

Also, found this:
https://cozeliving.com/tiny-houses/

Good find. Thanks!

Tiny homes are a good alternative, and for a bit of heads up; I'm a former real-estate appraiser, only because in 2018 I lost my supervisor, AND because of federal law saying I need a supervisor until I'm fully licensed. But of course no one wants to take a trainee, so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. But I'm on a path to become fully licensed ASAP. I've also had 18 years experience until then. Ok. that's over lets try this again.

The smallest home we ever did was about 800sf cabins and it was cozy but not lacking space. I actually was in a 70sf home and that was TOO small.

RVs come in 3 sizes, but class 'a' campers are 270sf. So I'd recommend you go to an RV dealer, and take a tour of Class A campers and see what you think. Then think that 270x2 (if you got two, connected together) that'll be 540 sf.

Another concept is where a home is. In some parts of Kentucky (Eastern) I'm seeing land + 800 sf cabin, around $40k.

But another idea is: a used home. Check out an old home you get cheap. (3 ways; tax sale, foreclosure, or a very old one.) Just make sure to get a home inspection, then with your home loan, make sure you put in a new roof, new electrical, HVAC, and plumbing into the loan.

That way you've got the most critical things fully replaced, then over time when you have the money fix it up a little at a time. Ultimately you'll have a really, really nice home at a fraction.

That's what I'm planning myself. Good luck!

I'm seeing land + 800 sf cabin, around $40k.

Man.... that would be ideal.... just not in Kentucky. X3 I have to stay in NY. Besides, I don't think Kentucky's climate and political environment would suit me. Still though.... NGL, that's tempting.

That way you've got the most critical things fully replaced, then over time when you have the money fix it up a little at a time. Ultimately you'll have a really, really nice home at a fraction.

If it's not a bother, and you can remember to, I'd love to know how that ends up working out for you.

Currently building a tiny home, 16 foot wide by 40 foot long. You gotta get rid of a lot of your clutter, you need to consider your personal requirements as well as the requirements of anyone gonna be living with you (Pets, spouse/significant other, kids) and plan around that. My wife and I largely don't require a lot of actual space because we're either on our computers or we're outside doing stuff.

We will have a lot of built ins to save floor space, any interior doors will be barn style, meaning they roll along the wall rather than swinging in and out, and we are planning everything to be multi-function or to be smaller. We are buying appliances that are meant for tiny spaces, and putting in a under-sink water heater to save space.

We have opted to spend more on bigger windows (both light and fire escape in case of flamage), but will be able to save money on flooring and interior paint because it's a smaller space, so that's a bonus.

We also got a bar sink for the bathroom, it is mounted on the wall, so a small stool can fit underneath, and will have a recessed mirror and all storage will be either wall mounted or recessed.

Basically it's awesome, if you're prepared to pare down somewhat, and it IS an adjustment! But it can also be fun and a good way to rethink your workable space around you.

Sounds great. I'm not really much of a "stuff" person anyway. All I need is my computer. Only concern would be my cat but I'm told I can build/buy a catio if it comes down to it.

Super easy solution is to make a 'cat aerial highway' around the upper part of the wall near the ceiling out of shelves, can even have short gaps between, and put a couple of cat trees in opposite corners. I'm gonna have the litterbox tucked in the bathroom beside the bathtub/shower underneath where the towels will be stored. It's a super narrow space but plenty deep and wide for a hatbox, and you can put a false wall and cat door on the front with a replaceable air freshener on the 'ceiling' to minimize odor. Put cat food and water on a doorless cabinet at one bottom cabinet in the kitchen for keeping floor space clear. :)

That sounds like a great idea. If this ends up working out, I'll definitely keep that in mind.

I've been considering various tiny home options for like twelve years now :'D But I think a lot depends on where you're located, and they all have their pros and cons. Currently I'm eyeing used RVs/campers or a bus to convert, while a friend of mine is actually looking at houseboats of all things. I don't have any wisdom to share, but I know the feeling of needing a private space that can't be snatched away from you, and I wish you the best of luck in finding something that works for you

Thanks. : )

I saw an interesting little bit a while back that had some good tips for inspecting a new home or apartment, I'll try to find it and send you a copy.
Good luck!

https://youtu.be/pwMD2M0X5PM

https://youtu.be/2fpK2wmP9TU

Hope this helps!

My favorite garage engineer.

Thanks. : )

Tbh, sounds like you're fucked forever LMFAO. Good luck, buddy!

And that's funny to you? Okay.

Funny enough, TY is suggesting me tiny homes:
https://youtu.be/iR5mXbMCIfQ

I don't think I could live like that but it's impressive for sure.

A lot.... rvs and such... and yachts professionally for about 23 years of experience.

Yachts!? Eeeeeelaborate.

Rvs yatchs everything really even have built two tiny homes in the past.you could build one that would meet hurricane compliance where I live for about 28k and is movable with a decent truck

Fortunately, we don't get serious hurricanes or tornadoes here in NY. Snow and possibly flooding would be the biggest issues.

If it can go through a cat 3 hurricane I don't think a hunch of snow would hurt it unless you do not insulate your water pipes

Aye. Several people have mentioned "wrapping" the pipes. I'll keep that in mind. It can get blisteringly cold in the winters.

More to it than just taking care of pipes the septic system water it's a long list for sure

What about the septic system?

If you want full specs just hit me up on telegram xD foracal

i havent seen ANYONE mention Boxabl. you REALLY need to look into these. 49k shipping included to wherever you need it, includes a full unit, bathroom, bedroom, living room, kitchen, and you can buy blank units or extra "different" units to make a multi story or single expanded story. my fiancé and i are seriously looking into this because of the standards put into the dwellings, the quality, and simplicity of it. our only issue is the land, the water and sewage and electricity. we do want to be off grid with solar though so that would remove electricity issue. we looked into some cheap land near austin but the area had restrictions. the house size, masonry around the outside of the home, connecting electricity, water an sewage to the plot we wanted would cost us over 100k alone. we still want to eventually find a place to put one down but its gonna be a bit to find a plot. anyway i really recommend them, and i also have a long time canadian friend who owns a tiny home making shop that you can custom make a home on wheels and send it anywhere in the united states and canada as well. you can check his site at https://darkstonelements.ca/ . He helped me with another home design if we decide the boxabl is too small for us. so there is two options i recommend.

Ooooh, interesting. I've not heard of them. Thanks! -to the google!-

Aesthetically, I think I'd prefer something like this: https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PYO.....filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19499595/small_storage_xl.jpg

Or this: https://styleblueprint.com/wp-conte.....25-feature.jpg

But at the end of the day, beggars can't be choosers and I can imagine being happy with a Boxabl home. Definitely putting that on my list of potential options.

nigel from darkstonelelments can do those too as long as you have land and a foundation to build on. he'd probably be your best bet for a style like that. he helps you design what you like which is really fun. he does the 3d design for the layout to make it easy too.

Awesome. :3

I can't say anything about the US as I'm European. But if you need to get something relatively cheap, you might be able to get something like an office/studio space, that is practically a single medium space with a bathroom, and turn it into a living space, if it has what it takes (eg. insulated, heating available, etc.)

You should also look at... no idea what the proper term is, but when people lose property to defaulting on loans, those get auctioned off often very cheap, way under their value. Of course, other people know this too so you will have competition, and need to get a bit lucky.

Either way what is CRUCIAL is to thoroughly inspect any property you plan to buy because you don't want to end up buying it and then discovering some problem that will cost a shitton of money to address, such as leaky pipes, mold, etc. Especially if the property seems cheap.

As for living in tiny places, I guess all the places I lived in count as tiny by American standards. My only problem was never having enough space for my stuff, so I end up with boxes and things piled up on top of wardrobes, and sometimes on the floor too. An advantage is that - assuming the insulation is acceptable - they are not too expensive to heat.

Cats though, they normally need space to move around. Having a garden is best for them. Especially if they are a bit overweight. And as someone mentioned, litterboxes can SMELL. Last time we had to keep a cat indoors due to recovery from surgery, every time he pooped I had to take care of it ASAP and then open the windows. :| A good enclosed litterbox with a filter and sealing door helps somewhat though.

Thanks for the thoughts.

I love my cat but goddamn if that lil bitch can't stir up some topnotch STANK. XC If I do end up going with a tinyhome, I'm thinking about a closed catbox with a flap. Also, there's this baking soda-based deodorizer that goes a long way towards reducing STANK. As for space, kitty-highway and catio are the best I can think of.

Our cat was so bad at using the litterbox... he would poop, and then take the absolute minimal effort to paw at some pebbles, and that was it, I had to go in after him and bury it with the litter shovel before it stinks up the whole house. He also managed to poop with his four legs inside the box but his ass still outside more than once. XD

As for movement, one of my friends takes their cat for walks with a harness and leash. :D Unorthodox, but work well for them. :)

I'd get a large van, slap solar panels on the top, and throw a mattress and battery from a written-off tesla in the back. If you need more space, just get a cheap micro caravan or something and make sure the van can tow it?

I'd consider it but I don't drive. My visual impairment is such that driving for me is dangerous. Also, I have a cat. I don't think she'd like being cooped up in a van.

I'm in a very similar situation, and this thread is both useful and relieving in a way. This state's prices are insane for even the smallest of amenities and feel highly untenable for most folk. What I can wish is good luck and that I hope things turn out well for you.

Thanks. Same to you.

So and so. I have lived in the same single room rental flat for nearly 20 years, ~30m².

The only advice I can give is you need a spacer or really anything to split up the living area. Small spaces can work, but having your bed across the room from a workstation will screw up your mental health quite quickly and equally gravely. You probably already know, but still.

My bed is right behind my workstation atm. I can't say for sure whether it's had any effect on my mental health versus having to live with the absolute Shreks in this house. I do agree that ideally, I'd have a workroom separate from my bedroom if possible. But ya know, beggars n choosers n all that.

Behind is better than in front, so there is always that. As long as there isn't constant line of sight.

If you want maximum bang for your buck, consider building yourself a home using steel shipping containers. Depending on where you live, you can get a used 40' x 8' HC for $3K or less. Stack them two wide/tall, cut out some of the interior walls to make larger rooms, and you've got a 1300 sq ft 2-story house. Save loads on material costs compared to a normal house of the same size. Also steel has great tensile strength so you can get creative with the way you place them and achieve designs you couldn't duplicate with wood.

I would, that sounds awesome, but I am ZERO percent handy. I am interested in learning though so I'm adding that to my list.

Also, haven't heard from you in a hot minute. Thought you might have left FA.

Seriously look up shipping container homes. Some of the designs people have come up with are astounding. Part of what made me interested in it to begin with.

Haven't left, just been lurking for a while. Very little motivation/inspiration to draw for quite some time.

Well, either way, it is nice to hear from you. :3 And I'm adding shipping containers to my list of possibilities alongside Boxable, tinyhomes, double wides, and arranging to have my fiery carcass launched out of a catapult at the Whitehouse.