The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Share Your Badassity => Topic started by: samburger on March 18, 2014, 12:59:02 PM
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My wife and I moved into a 375 square foot apartment a few weeks ago, and I'm loving it.
It was the first apartment we looked at, and we knew we wanted it immediately: the neighborhood is stunning and walkable, the Art Deco building has been beautifully maintained, and there's no room for unnecessary stuff.
It hit us all at once that we already aggressively minimize spending on things that don't enrich our lives. Why move into a big space we'd resent having to furnish? Why have space for stuff when we don't buy stuff?
We've been here for three weeks, unpacked for two weeks, and we're totally sold on small spaces as a permanent solution. It doesn't hurt that our housing budget goes a lot further with small spaces, too.
Who else is in a tiny space?
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Me! 475 sq feet for two adults and one kitty. I love it.
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That's awesome! 375 sounds so small, but I'm about to move into 600 and I actually think it may be too big!
Is there anything that you thought you wouldn't be able to live without but have found to be unnecessary?
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Is there anything that you thought you wouldn't be able to live without but have found to be unnecessary?
I'm shocked by how little kitchen storage we really need. So much of our old kitchen was filled with rarely used cookware, unnecessary repeats (who needs 6 sauce pans?), and expired food/food we're never going to eat. We need about 1/4 of the kitchen I thought we needed.
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Good for you Samburger. I've been living in an 8 x 26 travel trailer for the last three years. I think it's nice and cozy, easy to keep clean, and just an overall great cheapskate way to go. And I mean "go" in more ways than one.
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Is there anything that you thought you wouldn't be able to live without but have found to be unnecessary?
I'm shocked by how little kitchen storage we really need. So much of our old kitchen was filled with rarely used cookware, unnecessary repeats (who needs 6 sauce pans?), and expired food/food we're never going to eat. We need about 1/4 of the kitchen I thought we needed.
Similar realization from me. Now I'm just bummed at the sunk costs of my cookware stored in my parents basement. I'm sure I'll use it again someday, and it's certainly not worth selling at this point. But still, I use two pans for all my cooking.
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My wife and I talk about this once the kids are out, can wait! Great to hear it is working well!
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700 sqft, two adults, three kids. Yes we have a basement and yard, but we could easily adapt to ~500 sqft or less in a well designed space with zero impact on our happiness.
I'll +1 the minimal kitchen clutter. I am still reducing my stuff and use less and less despite getting more and more into cooking.
Not being into TV does wonders for freeing up space. Small couch, coffee tables are dumb, etc.
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416 sq. ft., 2 adults, 2 cats, 1 snake.
It's way too much space for us and we own way too much crap. We're definitely downsizing when we have a kid.
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That sounds awesome. Especially the part about downsizing the kitchen.
My wife works for an appliance company so we sometimes get fancy things to test. The most recent food processor has a ton of parts that come with it. This thing retails for about $700, no wonder people with fancy tastes "need" a huge home.
Do you have any space consuming hobbies? If so how are you dealing with those? 300 sq ft would work for me and my wife if we had a garage for our tools and bikes. My next home will be no bigger than 600 sq ft.
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respect. :)
Used to live in an almost-300 sqft apartment with my husband.
In most of these cases, you must be talking about a mobile home, custom-made one, or apartment/condo, yes? We'd eventually like to own a home, but it seems like the majority out there for sale are just huge (and we're wary of condos with their condo fees...).
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I don't know square footage, but me, wife, 2 daughters (both <2 years) and 1 cat are now in a 1bed/1 bath apartment. The living room is bigger than we need, so we installed a floor to ceiling curtain to section off a space for our toddler. Before the girls were born, we lived in a 4 bed/2 bath house with an attic and 2 car garage that crammed full of belongings that we didn't need or use and I wanted to punch myself in the face every day. We still own the house and with the rental income and money saved, will be able to pay off the mortgage in <5 years instead of 30. Eventually we may need a 2nd bedroom, but until we really NEED it, we will save and invest the extra cash.
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All of you guys posting your small square footages are true badasses! I'm suddenly feeling all luxurious in my 800 sq ft 2BR house (for 2 adults and 50lb dog) even though it's the smallest house of anyone I know. It's an old house (1940) and could stand to be laid out a little more efficiently, but I love having a small space.
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Small spaces are the best! We just moved out of a way too big rental house (like 2500 sq ft) into a ~1100 sq ft house, and the house still is luxuriously big for 3 adults (me, husband, roommate), 2 cats, 1 dog. It also comfortably houses a large book collection, a piano, and a not-small array of crafting supplies. The only thing I miss from the big house is having a space ready for friends & family to visit. But they visit anyways.
My husband and my first place together was an apartment that certainly wasn't more than 500 sq feet and even that was more than we really needed (especially looking back- that was in our pre-mustachian days when we had a ton of junk). I love how small spaces force you to evaluate what you really need, and I really really love how quick and easy it is to clean a small space compared to a large one.
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375 sqft! That definitely gets you street cred.
600 sqft for 2 adults...it's a mansion by comparison =). Moving from a 1100 sqft condo with a garage to a 1 bedroom apartment forced us to get rid of nearly 75% of our stuff, most of which was pure junk.
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500 square feet here for two adults. It's amazingly freeing to leave a larger living space and downsize. Wish I had done it sooner
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Second the question on space dependent hobbies. Do your bikes have to sleep outside? And tools that one should have but would suck to go barrow twice per year; are you living small by others supplying the rarely needed junk of modern life? Do you ever want to do something or take up a hobby but cant because of a lack of space?
me + roommate - 1000sqft condo, 2bed/1bath. seems fine. but would love a garage. actually second bedroom was empty for about a year.
I could see a micro house being 100% awesome in lots of ways. Until I wanted to try home brewing but did not have the storage space. Or does this make you clean out old failed/abandoned hobbies?
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200 sqft. no kitchen but a bathroom. i'm in love with the place.
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416 sq. ft., 2 adults, 2 cats, 1 snake.
It's way too much space for us and we own way too much crap. We're definitely downsizing when we have a kid.
I'm totally intrigued by these tiny spaces. I'd love to see interior pics if you're willing to share.
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200 sqft. no kitchen but a bathroom. i'm in love with the place.
That's great. Where's the bed? Fold out couch?
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200 sqft. no kitchen but a bathroom. i'm in love with the place.
That's great. Where's the bed? Fold out couch?
Looks like "sleep on couch/daybed". I think those pillows can be removed/rearranged (West Elm?)
edit: yup http://www.westelm.com/products/tillary-2-sofa-sectional-h068/
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the sofa doubles as a bed to sleep on...
nothing to pull out... the cushions are heavy duty, i just put them on the ground and sleep on top...
very comfy...
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I'm one person in 270 square feet. It feels a little too small, though I could probably improve it if I laid things out better. Living here has confirmed that I'll probably never need more than 500 square feet.
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We (2 adults, 1 child) live in a 500sqft flat. It feels more spacious than the cottage we moved from (700sqft) as it it much better designed. It has 3 built in cupboards, a small kitchen and bathroom, 2 good size bedrooms and a living room. Really it is the perfect size for us and we have no extra storage space.
It does have a small garden which is great as I can get clothes dry quickly on the line on a nice day.
I have had to be very ruthless about decluttering as things like books have a tendency to breed when you're not looking.
Where we live is one of the most expensive areas in Britain so I didn't want to be paying for unnecessary space.
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Second the question on space dependent hobbies. Do your bikes have to sleep outside? And tools that one should have but would suck to go barrow twice per year; are you living small by others supplying the rarely needed junk of modern life? Do you ever want to do something or take up a hobby but cant because of a lack of space?
me + roommate - 1000sqft condo, 2bed/1bath. seems fine. but would love a garage. actually second bedroom was empty for about a year.
I could see a micro house being 100% awesome in lots of ways. Until I wanted to try home brewing but did not have the storage space. Or does this make you clean out old failed/abandoned hobbies?
Bikes get hung on the wall, like the art they are. Ditto all our instruments. Our camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, hammocks, etc.) lives in the trunk of my car.
My wife is an artist, painting and sculpting, so we have a ton of art stuff. She works at our big multi-purpose table, clears it off and stores it in the closet when she's done. Pieces in progress get a place on the shelf.
Really, we own very little stuff. Our tiny bit of storage space goes a really long way because we… don't really store anything? We each have a small box of momentos--photos and tokens and childhood miscellany--and everything else in our storage is practical. If we don't use it all the time, we clear it out (which can be brutally hard to do when you really, really want to think of yourself as someone who does X hobby…!).
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@FuckRx: Holy macro! That is some raw housing badassity.
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We're two adults in 400 sq ft. It's plenty of room (lots of closet space is key!) but I'd still like it a whole lot better if it was laid out a little differently, if it got a little more light, and if there was any sort of outdoor space to use. :-)
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One person and a cat here, in about 275 sq. ft. This number is from my own measuring I just did with a measuring tape, so give or take a few.
That seems really small when it's put in a number like that! But really it feels luxuriously spacious. It's a beautiful home, and we're totally happy here. It doesn't hurt that we're coming from an even smaller apartment without a sunroom (I did calculate the sunroom space!), which housed another person for three months last year.
EDIT: Added pictures!
Not pictured: bathroom and front entry, which has a closet for shoes and tons of extra storage. Sunroom also not really pictured--it has suitcases, my cat's carrier, a big foam mattress pad, an electric fan, and my cat's bed (and cat, right now). Having the sunroom really makes my space seem bigger because those bulky items I'm not using at the moment are hidden away. From my view, anyway--I'm sure neighbors can see them ;-)
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FuckRx - I am in love with your kitchen. That is so cool.
Everyone - thank you for reminding me how extravagant my 1000 sq ft house for 3 adults and 3 dogs really is. I am so not the minimalist I think I am!
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thanks for the pics...
i like how simple ur furniture is...
cool place
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I would love to try out a small home for a month. Our rancher is not in the least bit small, and truth be told I rather like it that way. I sometimes wonder if I would like this even better though.
A few questions for the small house crowd, how do you handle entertaining and/or company? Any issues with privacy having just one bath?
Is your 400 SF 20 X 20 or more like 14 X 28? Which is the better layout, square or rectangle?
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A few questions for the small house crowd, how do you handle entertaining and/or company? Any issues with privacy having just one bath?
Is your 400 SF 20 X 20 or more like 14 X 28? Which is the better layout, square or rectangle?
Our kitchen can handle (cramped) six people. We're going to knock down the wall separating it and the living room one day, but we try to do most of our entertaining in the summer when it's grilling season.
Privacy with kids in the bathroom? Hah! You jest!
As far as layout goes, I would say rectangle. If I were to build a tiny house from scratch, it would be linear in design. Kitchen-->living-->bed/bathroom. Square space requires more partitioning, which wastes raw footage. Rectangular spaces can be kept more open, with minimal dividers.
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One person and a cat here, in about 275 sq. ft. This number is from my own measuring I just did with a measuring tape, so give or take a few.
That seems really small when it's put in a number like that! But really it feels luxuriously spacious. It's a beautiful home, and we're totally happy here. It doesn't hurt that we're coming from an even smaller apartment without a sunroom (I did calculate the sunroom space!), which housed another person for three months last year.
EDIT: Added pictures!
Not pictured: bathroom and front entry, which has a closet for shoes and tons of extra storage. Sunroom also not really pictured--it has suitcases, my cat's carrier, a big foam mattress pad, an electric fan, and my cat's bed (and cat, right now). Having the sunroom really makes my space seem bigger because those bulky items I'm not using at the moment are hidden away. From my view, anyway--I'm sure neighbors can see them ;-)
Nice -- for some reason I think it's funny the washing machine is below the stove?
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200 sqft. no kitchen but a bathroom. i'm in love with the place.
Did I see you post about looking for a roommate in another thread? In another place or your current one? Because two strangers in 200 sf?
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I would love to try out a small home for a month. Our rancher is not in the least bit small, and truth be told I rather like it that way. I sometimes wonder if I would like this even better though.
A few questions for the small house crowd, how do you handle entertaining and/or company? Any issues with privacy having just one bath?
Is your 400 SF 20 X 20 or more like 14 X 28? Which is the better layout, square or rectangle?
Our 400 sq ft is more like 20x20 and I think it would work a lot better if it was more of a rectangle....or if the door and closet switched places so the only open wall wasn't right against the window. I would really love to do something like this http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-amp-after-mauras-smart-studio-sleeping-solution-201581 but can't because of the square shape (it would block the window and the apartment's already dark enough!).
We do have people over sometimes and there's plenty of seating: up to 4 in the 'living room' area and 3 more chairs at the table and desk. We couldn't have a bunch of people wandering around but if everyone's sitting and having a drink it's fine.
As for privacy....there isn't much. :-)
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our last house was 820 sq feet with 3 kids, 1 man and 1 very pregnant woman. :) i loved our cosy home! we ran out of space for our bikes (and trailers) in the carport shed but i missed a big yard the most. for many reasons we now have a big house and a big yard...but i look forward to moving on to a very (VERY) big yard and back to a small house. i swear the stuff breeds around here.
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I love this! I am looking for a place of my own but now realize that I should scale back my plans, the more I think about the more I realize that having a lot of space just means that I am going to be inclined to fill it.
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Murphy's Law of Junk: stuff expands to fill the space allowed.
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Approx 275 sqft late model travel trailer. 2 adults 2 boys 7 &3 2 large dogs and 1 ittybitty dog. Downsized from 2800sqft house. Size has not been much of an issue but we do utilize and enjoy outdoor space!
Btw my first post on forum... done a lot of forum stalking tho ;)
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I live alone in a little less than 400 sq. ft. Not sure of the exact measurements, but it is somewhere between 375-400 sq. ft. It is a studio with a separate kitchen and bathroom. I love the space, but if I was building something that was 400 square feet it would look more like this: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/898771?af=1726391&c=direct_link
Instead, mine is more of a box shape with some inefficient kitchen storage. Solving the inherent problems of the layout/design is actually really fun, though!
ETA: I pulled the photos directly from my blog, which maybe 5 people read! http://singlesimplestudio.blogspot.com/
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This is so pretty, KatieSSS! I love how you used the honeycomb bookcase to divide the space but still let the light from the window in to the living room!
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This is so pretty, KatieSSS! I love how you used the honeycomb bookcase to divide the space but still let the light from the window in to the living room!
Yep, that's the best part! Ikea Expedit shelving, a wonderful invention. I have quite a few Ikea pieces...not sure if I should be ashamed that I'm an Ikea groupie or happy that I didn't shop at super-expensive Pottery Barn or West Elm. Making my space "my own" and decorating it is my biggest non-mustachian vice. The good thing about a small space is that once I got a few key bigger pieces, then I haven't had to spend much else because there's just not enough space for stuff!
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One of my rentals is 333sq ft.. I wish I had 10 of them.. I can rent these out like there is no tomorrow!
Usually to a single guy that is or has gone through a divorce.
Frank
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Murphy's Law of Junk: stuff expands to fill the space allowed.
Truth here.
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KatieSSS - I love your little apartment!
I have questions though - where is the front door, bathroom, and walkthrough closet area?? My apartment is a similar size and the bed also sits against the one window and points towards the kitchen. The little dining area is even along the same little wall space (yes, I obsessively compared your pictures to my apartment). Sadly....my front door seems to be where your tv is which really limits furniture arrangements. We moved everything around last month and it feels a little better but definitely still a work in progress. :-)
Also, we are totally also Ikea groupies! It's cheap AND has a better selection of things designed for small spaces. I keep joking that we should ask for them to come do a photo shoot for their next catalogue.
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Congrats on the new digs! My husband and I live in a 525 sq ft studio apartment with our two tiny dogs. We try to enforce a one-in-one-out policy to keep the apartment from getting overrun with stuff. So if I buy a new pair of shoes, I donate (or throw out if totally worn through & not repairable) a pair. If I buy new sheets to replace old ripped ones, I donate the ripped ones to the shelter where we got our dogs (they are always in need of soft bedding for the shelter animals).
We almost never buy books. We use the library which is 2 blocks away instead. There is also a free lending library in the laundry room of our apartment building, and I sometimes leave books I no longer want there for my neighbors to read.
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KatieSSS - I love your little apartment!
I have questions though - where is the front door, bathroom, and walkthrough closet area?? My apartment is a similar size and the bed also sits against the one window and points towards the kitchen. The little dining area is even along the same little wall space (yes, I obsessively compared your pictures to my apartment). Sadly....my front door seems to be where your tv is which really limits furniture arrangements. We moved everything around last month and it feels a little better but definitely still a work in progress. :-)
Also, we are totally also Ikea groupies! It's cheap AND has a better selection of things designed for small spaces. I keep joking that we should ask for them to come do a photo shoot for their next catalogue.
Ha ha you and me both! Ikea would love my place.
I'm assuming now you are looking at my blog photos since you see where the TV is :) If you are looking at the picture where you can see the front of the white couch and ottoman, then the front door is right behind the photographer. If you are looking at the photo where you can see the TV, then the front door is to the right, just out of frame. So when you walk into the apartment, on your right you enter the living room. Directly in front of you is a small coat closet. Then on your left is the walk-through closet which leads to the bathroom.
One of the main things I like about the way I have my apartment decorated is that all of the photos I have in frames are ones I've taken. No purchasing Target or Bed Bath and Beyond mass-produced wall art! I figure my originality in this area makes up for the love I have for Ikea :)
My friends think I should enter the next round of Apartment Therapy's "Small Cool" contest. I just might!
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Where do you guys keep your tools? My 2 car garage has a hard time containing my tools, gardening equipment, brewing equipment, bicycles etc. that stuff saves me tons of money. I rarely use a mechanic (only for hybrid specific stuff), never used a repairman, grow lots of food, and save $100 a batch on beer.
I think it would cost me more than I save with a space like that.
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Where do you guys keep your tools? My 2 car garage has a hard time containing my tools, gardening equipment, brewing equipment, bicycles etc. that stuff saves me tons of money. I rarely use a mechanic (only for hybrid specific stuff), never used a repairman, grow lots of food, and save $100 a batch on beer.
I think it would cost me more than I save with a space like that.
I have a small set of tools that I keep in my coat closet. A drill, basic toolkit, a box of random supplies (like different sizes of pliers, extra nails, fasteners, etc) and a small hand saw. Takes up just a few feet. I have indoor plants, so my gardening equipment consists of potting soil, a tiny box of miracle grow, and a hand-held spade. I store my bicycle in the car garage in my building for free. I also don't own a car, so no need to keep tools to fix it!
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Where do you guys keep your tools? My 2 car garage has a hard time containing my tools, gardening equipment, brewing equipment, bicycles etc. that stuff saves me tons of money. I rarely use a mechanic (only for hybrid specific stuff), never used a repairman, grow lots of food, and save $100 a batch on beer.
I think it would cost me more than I save with a space like that.
The beauty of a small space is that you don't need many tools. You don't have space for brewing equipment, etc.
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Where do you guys keep your tools? My 2 car garage has a hard time containing my tools, gardening equipment, brewing equipment, bicycles etc. that stuff saves me tons of money. I rarely use a mechanic (only for hybrid specific stuff), never used a repairman, grow lots of food, and save $100 a batch on beer.
I think it would cost me more than I save with a space like that.
The beauty of a small space is that you don't need many tools. You don't have space for brewing equipment, etc.
I've lived like that, and I found it ended up costing me more money than having a big place in the burbs. My stuff really isn't just useless accumulation, it all has a purpose. I make our furniture, brew to save lots of money (it's past a simple joyful hobby at this point).
Granted, my wife and I have generally had non-traditional work situations where we drove way less than the average person so it made sense not to live near an expensive part of the city. YMMV
I'd love to downsize when the kids leave, but right now I love the extra space and I don't find that 2700 sq ft costs us more than our 400 sq ft apt did.
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Re brewing equipment: I have no problem finding space for this, but we somehow have a bunch of unused space in our 375 sq feet.
Re tools: We have access to a workshop co-op in our city for things like furniture building and large metal-working projects. It's a great way to take up space-consuming hobbies without having to pay for a large space we don't otherwise need.
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The smallest space I lived in with 2 people was 869 sf condo but then my hubby had to store his tools etc at his Mom's. We now have 1400 sf with a 1 car garage & shed which is just right. If I was alone I could go back to the condo. I think a lot depends on hobbies, etc & how much of a packrat your spouse is.
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I am starting to get the feeling that our 5600sqft house for 2 adults no kids no pets is a bit on the large side :-(
I want one of those little, easy to heat spaces!
edit: But where do you put your 4' x 8' cnc gantry mill with 100 watt CO2 laser cutter accessory head?
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Forgot to mention we have 3 little dogs & babysit my son's 2- 75lb dogs too. I would say that is a lot of space for 2 people. I would not want to clean or heat it.
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I used to live in 375SQFT, which was fantastic, although a tiny bit awkward when boyfriend came to stay - not absolute size, but not having a separate bedroom to shut out noise and light. This square footage with a separate bedroom would have easily worked for 2 people. There was a porch on which you could store your bike.
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Ha ha you and me both! Ikea would love my place.
I'm assuming now you are looking at my blog photos since you see where the TV is :) If you are looking at the picture where you can see the front of the white couch and ottoman, then the front door is right behind the photographer. If you are looking at the photo where you can see the TV, then the front door is to the right, just out of frame. So when you walk into the apartment, on your right you enter the living room. Directly in front of you is a small coat closet. Then on your left is the walk-through closet which leads to the bathroom.
One of the main things I like about the way I have my apartment decorated is that all of the photos I have in frames are ones I've taken. No purchasing Target or Bed Bath and Beyond mass-produced wall art! I figure my originality in this area makes up for the love I have for Ikea :)
My friends think I should enter the next round of Apartment Therapy's "Small Cool" contest. I just might!
Ah ok, I'm totally jealous - that's where I want the front door to be in our little studio but alas....
You should totally enter the small cool contest. :-)
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Re brewing equipment: I have no problem finding space for this, but we somehow have a bunch of unused space in our 375 sq feet.
Re tools: We have access to a workshop co-op in our city for things like furniture building and large metal-working projects. It's a great way to take up space-consuming hobbies without having to pay for a large space we don't otherwise need.
Nice, I looked for a community workshop but could only find bike related places. How much is the co-op a month? I've seen some really outrageous prices for some maker type places around the country. Though you do get access to some really nice equipment.
Still, having access to all your own stuff in the garage that you can use at anytime is nice. And I've been able to build up my tool collection over the course of 15 years so the costs are really spread out. It's especially nice when my car is in pieces and I can't figure out how to get it back together. I'd hate to have it stuck somewhere across town where I'd have to go back and fourth to work on it.
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Wow, guys. You all are amazing!
We live in 1,000+ sq ft. It's way more than we need. My main beef is that it's laid out in a way that makes it hard to entertain. I might take the idea from another of you to have people over in the summer. However, we're usually at the community pool during the summer as are most of the people we'd invite over to our house!
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I am starting to get the feeling that our 5600sqft house for 2 adults no kids no pets is a bit on the large side :-(
I want one of those little, easy to heat spaces!
edit: But where do you put your 4' x 8' cnc gantry mill with 100 watt CO2 laser cutter accessory head?
What really puzzles me about this thread is where you all are housing the household staff...
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I am starting to get the feeling that our 5600sqft house for 2 adults no kids no pets is a bit on the large side :-(
I want one of those little, easy to heat spaces!
edit: But where do you put your 4' x 8' cnc gantry mill with 100 watt CO2 laser cutter accessory head?
What really puzzles me about this thread is where you all are housing the household staff...
In the east wing. What's so puzzling about that?
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In the east wing. What's so puzzling about that?
Nah, we closed off the east wing to save on heating. Actually we covered the indoor pool in an effort to mold ourselves after MMM.
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Re brewing equipment: I have no problem finding space for this, but we somehow have a bunch of unused space in our 375 sq feet.
Re tools: We have access to a workshop co-op in our city for things like furniture building and large metal-working projects. It's a great way to take up space-consuming hobbies without having to pay for a large space we don't otherwise need.
Nice, I looked for a community workshop but could only find bike related places. How much is the co-op a month? I've seen some really outrageous prices for some maker type places around the country. Though you do get access to some really nice equipment.
Still, having access to all your own stuff in the garage that you can use at anytime is nice. And I've been able to build up my tool collection over the course of 15 years so the costs are really spread out. It's especially nice when my car is in pieces and I can't figure out how to get it back together. I'd hate to have it stuck somewhere across town where I'd have to go back and fourth to work on it.
There are co-ops in the SF
that run around $100/mo. That's like 1/35 of the average 1-br apartment, so it could make sense (although I don't currently have enough free time to justify the expense)
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There are co-ops in the SF
that run around $100/mo. That's like 1/35 of the average 1-br apartment, so it could make sense (although I don't currently have enough free time to justify the expense)
Ahh, not bad for SF I guess. Still, I generally don't spend $1200 a year on tools. All together I've probably spent about $5000-$7000 over the past 15 years, so I think I'm still ahead with a house with a garage. Though I don't live in SF, and as the father of school age children the suburbs really seem to make the most sense for us from a financial perspective (we only occasionally commute to Denver).
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There are co-ops in the SF
that run around $100/mo. That's like 1/35 of the average 1-br apartment, so it could make sense (although I don't currently have enough free time to justify the expense)
Ahh, not bad for SF I guess. Still, I generally don't spend $1200 a year on tools. All together I've probably spent about $5000-$7000 over the past 15 years, so I think I'm still ahead with a house with a garage. Though I don't live in SF, and as the father of school age children the suburbs really seem to make the most sense for us from a financial perspective (we only occasionally commute to Denver).
It wouldn't be about tool cost, it would be about storage space. Plus, they have a "hardship" option for $40 -- not sure what that entails. For tools themselves, there are also pretty cheap tool libraries.
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If I could have a do-over and we were not planning on traveling in an RV, I would buy a plot of land (maybe 2 to 5 acres) and put a 40x50 steel building on it ($20,000?). I would then park my RV in one corner of the building and live in that while keeping all of my tools and such in the rest of the area. From the outside it would just look like a nice big workshop but from the inside you would have a living space plus a huge work area, all dry and out of the weather. The RV would not need much maintenance since it was sheltered.
Taxes would be almost non-existent since you really just have some cheap land and a outbuilding that is not heated and so doesn't count as a residence. Maybe you would pay $400 a year in real estate tax?
If we had done this years ago I bet we would be just as happy and about $600,000 richer.
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There are co-ops in the SF
that run around $100/mo. That's like 1/35 of the average 1-br apartment, so it could make sense (although I don't currently have enough free time to justify the expense)
Ahh, not bad for SF I guess. Still, I generally don't spend $1200 a year on tools. All together I've probably spent about $5000-$7000 over the past 15 years, so I think I'm still ahead with a house with a garage. Though I don't live in SF, and as the father of school age children the suburbs really seem to make the most sense for us from a financial perspective (we only occasionally commute to Denver).
It wouldn't be about tool cost, it would be about storage space. Plus, they have a "hardship" option for $40 -- not sure what that entails. For tools themselves, there are also pretty cheap tool libraries.
If I was single in my early 20s that might be a good option. Now that I'm married with 2 kids things change. We pay $400 a month more for a mortgage than we did for rent on a small home in the city. Really though, we're paying for a fantastic school system and a neighborhood that doesn't have a bunch of meth heads asking for change. That gets old when you're trying to spend time with your kids in the park.
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There are co-ops in the SF
that run around $100/mo. That's like 1/35 of the average 1-br apartment, so it could make sense (although I don't currently have enough free time to justify the expense)
Ahh, not bad for SF I guess. Still, I generally don't spend $1200 a year on tools. All together I've probably spent about $5000-$7000 over the past 15 years, so I think I'm still ahead with a house with a garage. Though I don't live in SF, and as the father of school age children the suburbs really seem to make the most sense for us from a financial perspective (we only occasionally commute to Denver).
It wouldn't be about tool cost, it would be about storage space. Plus, they have a "hardship" option for $40 -- not sure what that entails. For tools themselves, there are also pretty cheap tool libraries.
If I was single in my early 20s that might be a good option. Now that I'm married with 2 kids things change. We pay $400 a month more for a mortgage than we did for rent on a small home in the city. Really though, we're paying for a fantastic school system and a neighborhood that doesn't have a bunch of meth heads asking for change. That gets old when you're trying to spend time with your kids in the park.
Makes see if SF are cheap - in San Francisco, it's not worth the $1k/SF to store any but Thomson compact tools
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Yeah, I couldn't see myself living in SF without a combined income north of $400k. It's a great town, but housing is just way too expensive for everyone but tech startups. I've lived all over the country and I've come to the conclusion that just about everywhere is the same. Two of my favorite bars in the country reside in Cleveland Heights, OH and Rochester NY.
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I am starting to get the feeling that our 5600sqft house for 2 adults no kids no pets is a bit on the large side :-(
I want one of those little, easy to heat spaces!
edit: But where do you put your 4' x 8' cnc gantry mill with 100 watt CO2 laser cutter accessory head?
What really puzzles me about this thread is where you all are housing the household staff...
In the east wing. What's so puzzling about that?
I am so embarrassed! I was using the downstairs all this time. I'll switch to the east wing.
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Yeah, I couldn't see myself living in SF without a combined income north of $400k. It's a great town, but housing is just way too expensive for everyone but tech startups. I've lived all over the country and I've come to the conclusion that just about everywhere is the same. Two of my favorite bars in the country reside in Cleveland Heights, OH and Rochester NY.
Really, starrtups don't even pay that much. I think you usually take a pay cut with the hope of winning the equity lottery.
Also: my previous post had typos from my phones autocorrect. I do not advocate Thompson brand tools, I meant "the most compact"
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KatieSSS - love your place! Especially the IKEA divider.
Everyone's photos show lots of light. I would think that definitely helps to make it livable and non-small feeling.
I am feeling guilty in my almost 1000sq ft apartment. Yet, I'm always getting rid of stuff to live minimally.
I do look forward to downsizing in structural space, when I decide to move to the mountains, but am hoping to find a great outdoor space to utilize for lounging.
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We moved from a house to an apartment, and my husband didn't want to give up brewing and has moved to brewing gallon batches which has worked great! In terms of space, it only takes up a kitchen cabinet to store everything he needs and he likes that it's much easier to get things to the right temperatures than with bigger batches.
We're 2 people in an ~820sf apartment right now, so not badass at all... I have much to learn from those of you with small spaces and doing it in style!
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When we were a family of 3 (2 adults, one baby), we lived in 399 sqft. It was so easy to clean. But there were some compromises. Like always having to do chores in a certain order- dishes washed (no dishwasher) first so the sink was empty and ready for the "portable" washing machine to wash cloth diapers. But it worked for us for 2 years!
Funny, as soon as we found out we were expecting, my first thought was, "aww, we'll have to leave this apt.!" But having a small place ended up being a great excuse to deny "gifts" like swings, pack n plays, and various other baby crap I deemed unnecessary.
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Lots of good stuff in here!
I currently share a 1200 sq ft 3br/2ba house with 2 other roommates which was a downsize from living on my own in a 2400 sq ft behemoth of a house! We all have too much crap but make it work with the kitchen being the biggest difficulty. I have the smallest room as I moved in with them after they got the house but I've found that I have too much crap and am not as much of a minimalist as I thought and I can live perfectly well in a small place. The backyard we have is great for grilling and entertaining the occasional friends. Although when my parents visited they stayed in a hotel because they didn't want to be cramped, but we could have made it work had they wanted.
I'm working on getting rid of a bunch of stuff that I don't need because I don't use anymore. I have guns that I won't let go but a few RC cars from my college hobby that just isn't as exciting to me anymore.
My biggest thing is needing/wanting a place to do some grilling! I love my big green egg and is actually very small for a grill footprint.
When I plan on settling down somewhere I plan on building a small eco friendly house on a small plot of land. Enough to live comfortably in and enough for the occasional get together with loved ones outside.
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I just put an offer on a small home in a nice part of town, it is a whopping 530sf! Hopefully, everything will go smoothly as I am a first time buyer. It will definitely help me get to FI much, much faster than going the traditional route that everyone else takes. I will post pics if I end up making the deal!
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I find it interesting that my wife and I and two kids lived in 826 ft2 while the kids grew up, but when they got married with no kids, they each had to have a house with 2400 ft2. Guess they think they have to have a minimum "because they deserve it". :(
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Way to go Samburger! I love small spaces but currently live in 1000 sf (plus 2 car garage) alone about 75% of the time (sister lives here on weekends). I only use the smallest bedroom, a tiny closet, and almost no cabinet space in the kitchen so consider myself living "small" and have very minimal stuff. My sister on the other hand, has the master bedroom, the 3 rd bedroom, and 1/2 the garage - all filled floor to ceiling with her crap (I actually park my car in my half of the garage) plus her outdoor crap and toys (kayaks) in the big back yard. My dream would be a tiny studio apt in the heart of a small city. Close enough to everything so I can walk or bike and be car-free. Of course the advantage of living here with my sister is we own the place, it's paid off, and only costs us each about $300 or so each month for utilities, taxes and insurance. For that price I can put up with living in a larger space!
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0 sq ft, 180 sq ft with 2 "adults", or 15 sq ft with 4 "adults" boom!
I'm renting out my 2 apartments and working offshore as much as possible, then I'm heading on a road trip from London-Mongolia....I am not sure if I am homeless or living at my girlfriend's place which is 180 sq ft or living in 15 sq ft when I begin driving with 3 other dudes in a nissan micra
I think I will soon hate small spaces, but 375 sq ft is HUGE in my opinion. y'all need to downsize
(http://confessionsofa20somethingklutz.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/judging-you.gif)
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375 sq ft is HUGE in my opinion. y'all need to downsize
It's a good point. The wife and I are in 400 sq.ft., but we're planning on downsizing when we have a kid and FIRE in two years.
(True story.)
;)
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About to move to a one bed apt...probally not even small by some.of these standards, but i am measuring it tommorrow so i will post measurementents then. Have felt simultanously liberated and overwhelmed decluttering :-) (curently sharing a large two bed with a friend... Really large for a two bed we have a formal dining room, store room and a huge bedroom each plus kitchen, lounge, washroom etc.so while i am not as bad ass as all of you it stills feels like a big step in the right direction.
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Ya'll are awesome
We have 2,000 sq ft, 2car garage. 5kids.
Living small by conventional standards
Living large by Mustachian standards!!
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Measured up 36sqm or 390sq ft! I feel bad ass now!
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How does one find a 375 sqft apartment? I guess it's just market dependent, but the smallest 2 bedroom (one roommate, needed a 2 bedroom) we could find was 970 sqft or something like that, which is where we live now. It's still bigger than we need, we hardly use the living room at all. Certainly can make use out of more than 375 sqft but I don't think it's necessary.
Anyone just had problems finding small apartments? It might just be where I live because wages are high in the area and poverty is practically non-existent.
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I think you can find small spaces anywhere, not just super big cities.
Here, older apartments are often smaller, so any area with apartments built in the 50s or 60s could work. On Apartment Therapy small apartments are often garage apartments next to normal houses allowing you to find a small space in suburbia. But for me this isn't so much about living small but about about liking the apartment and it being a price I can afford. Obviously I don't want to live in a McMansion by myself, but 2x the square footage would also be fine and not leave me feeling lost in space. So if you're getting a good deal on your rent don't worry.
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Here, older apartments are often smaller, so any area with apartments built in the 50s or 60s could work. On Apartment Therapy small apartments are often garage apartments next to normal houses allowing you to find a small space in suburbia. But for me this isn't so much about living small but about about liking the apartment and it being a price I can afford. Obviously I don't want to live in a McMansion by myself, but 2x the square footage would also be fine and not leave me feeling lost in space. So if you're getting a good deal on your rent don't worry.
It feels like I'm paying for stuff I don't want or need. I just don't have a better option. Our living room is the smallest we could find, but it's still bigger than we have any use for. We could cut 200 sqft out of this apartment and still be just as well off. If that would mean a 20% reduction in rent I'd take it.
There's nothing here built before 2000 pretty much, other than some houses which are over 100 years old.