2livesimple’s Weblog

So, I had stated earlier that we were looking into buying plans to build a 120 square foot home. We were really loving the plans for the Lusby on tumbleweedhouses.com.

But, if I can decipher the local regulations where we live, we would not be allowed to live in it in our backyard. That seems to be the common theme for those living in a house from tumbleweedhouses.com. One lives in his own backyard while renting his house out. Another lives in the backyard of a friend.

We then thought about looking for property to build on. While there are more than enough properties that we could buy, when you want to live in a specific area, your choices are limited.

In fact, we believe our choices are less than one (we are still checking on one possibility).

Next up ….. we tried looking for the smallest possible homes we could buy.

We want the smallest possible mortgage/rent without sacrificing the general area we want to live in. We found an efficiency approximately 330 square feet, and quite a few units that are about 560 square feet.

It is very frustrating to realize you have to spend 5 to 13 times more than you should need to to provide shelter for yourself.

You have grand thoughts. Freedom from societal norms are smiling at you. You think, $15k to $20k and you could build an amazing home. Have no mortgage, and really low utility bills.

The space would be limited, but it is exactly that limitation that would liberate you.

How did we get to the point where you have no choices for affordable housing? How can anyone think that anyone can live on minimum wage?