Tiny house living has become popular in recent years. The minimalism, the adorable space, the drastically reduced living expenses are all very appealing to many, especially with a volatile economy that threatens everyone. But let’s face it; not everyone is fit for the tiny house life. Even if it looks appealing and attractive initially, you still need to consider many things before making the shift. Here are some questions you need to ask yourself before making the decision.
Can You Sacrifice Space?
This might seem obvious, but have you thought about the amount of space you need? If you have many things for storage, that’s one, but you also have to consider if you have children in the household. Forcing kids into a tiny and cramped space might not be the best for their upbringing. They might feel a lack of privacy and not have enough room for their books, learning materials, and clothing. Generally, it can make the whole experience terrible.
Kids need to feel comfortable in their own house. Even if you might be comfortable in a tiny house, they might not be. Think long and hard about whether you can sacrifice space without sacrificing other important things.
Can You Build Your Own?
Building your own tiny home customized to your every need is a common trend among tiny house owners. And if you are to live in one, the question that often follows is whether you’ll be buying a pre-built one or will you make your own. If you decide to build your own tiny house, there’s a lot of things to think about.
You need to find a way to mitigate moisture, manage temperature, set the utilities to be either off-grid or connected to the main lines, and much more. This is on top of the essential carpentry work you need to be able to do. Of course, the option to buy a home is perfectly fine, but know that conventionally, many would build their tiny house on their own instead.
Do You Own a Lot of Things?
A tiny house has a lot of storage and corners where you can stash away your things, but that doesn’t mean it has enough to accommodate everything. This means a lot, especially if you’ve amassed a collection that you have stored away in a regular house. When putting that in a tiny space, the difference is staggering.
That’s why many homeowners tend to let go of their possessions before moving into a tiny home. Some opt to donate their items to friends or charity, while some sell them to bolster their funds to make their transition to a tiny house. If you find that you can’t part ways with possessions that carry emotional value, it’s better to reconsider whether tiny home living is for you.
Are You Mobile Enough to Do Crawling, Climbing, and Squeezing into Spaces?
Here’s the simple truth about living in a smaller space: you will make many physical adjustments to get to spaces. You might have to climb a ladder to get to a loft. You might squeeze sideways to get past a hallway. You might even have to crawl underneath to access under-the-bed storage. If you’re physically incapable of bending, flexing, and moving about, it’s best to think of other more mobility-limited options that you can try.
Do You Have the Money to Meet the Initial Costs?
Living in a tiny house might not be very expensive, but your start won’t be cheap. A pre-built tiny house might range from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on how big or small you want it to be. When going the build-your-own route, it won’t be as expensive, but you still might have to sink a reasonable $10,000 to source the right parts.
There’s also the matter of getting a property (generally in a rural area) that you also have to shell out money for. Tiny house living is a great way to save money and avoid expensive costs, but it still requires capital to start your transition.
It’s Still Trial and Error
Just like living in a regular-sized home, most of your early experiences with a tiny house will be trial and error. The question then becomes whether you’re willing to struggle during the initial months of your stay.
Some people might need to follow a set routine to keep a positive lifestyle, and such a change and drastic adjustments might throw off their routine. Consider whether your personality (and maybe your partner too) is apt for the tiny living lifestyle.
