Tiny houses, because living large is hard. It is expensive and a lot to maintain. Is your search for the right home coming up empty because the cost of living is too high? Maybe your price point is not the issue. Thinking small may be your answer.
“The 50,000.00 San Francisco Home” by Nathan Lewis, discusses a budget model that would allow high cost areas to house more people at an affordable rate. A renters rate of a $50,000.00 home would only be $400.00 to $500.00 a month. The catch? We need to give up on “keeping up with the Jones'” and embrace a smaller lifestyle. Spaces range from 120- 500sq ft depending on location. After all, the supply is determined by the demand. The more demand you have in your local real estate market, the more the supply will cost you in the end. If you go small you can get the perfect location for an affordable cost.
For some of us, small spaces may not be a desirable concept but there big benefits to living small. For example, costs go down when you downsize. In Lewis’s article he references a family who once occupied a 1,500 sq ft home and are now debt free with almost no living expenses in their 165 sq ft space.
Another benefit to living in a smaller space is free time. If you were to spend less time cleaning you would have more time for the things you enjoy. If you are a big spender a smaller space might be even more beneficial to your savings account considering you will not have excess space for excess items. Individuals with an environmental interest should appreciate the small living option as it leaves a much smaller environmental footprint.
Last but not least, a smaller tiny home living space could provide the quality time many families yearn for, or just the right amount of bonding a couple needs. All in all, there are many reasons for us to step out of the “living large” culture and into something a bit more cozy and affordable! Think small to win big!
By Alison LaPaglia
For more information about Nathan Lewis and Strong Town’s tiny homes, find them in our tiny home directory.
