could YOU like in a house with less than 500 square feet of space?

Question

OK this is a strange question I admit, however i've been noting just how big our houses are compared with other folks around the world ( I live in Texas hah i know) but really folks, take the ultimate challenge, can your family or yourself picture living in very tight quarters, saving a ton of energy and basically leaving a smaller footprint on this earth where it starts?
this is my first question ever, so i appolpgize ahead of time

Answer 1

I grew up in a very small two bedroom one bath home of about 900 sq. ft. There were 6 of us, My mother 4 sisters and me. It's not very comfortable but we never felt like we were deprived. We argued some, like any family but we were happy. When I was delivering news papers back then I noticed that people who lived in houses like ours nearly always paid on time and even gave me nice tips at Christmas time. Couldn't say the same for the doctors, dentists, lawyers, merchants and bankers who lived in the mansions on the other end of my route. Collecting from them was like pulling hens teeth and tips were either piddling or non existent.

Answer 2

I live alone in a 900 sq. ft. home and I think I could downsize. This house was built in 1910, so no space was wasted. I have 2 bedrooms, one of which I only use for an occasional overnight guest and an aquarium. I also have a large dining room which I only use very rarely (I would be just as happy with an eat-in kitchen). So I could probably do without both of these rooms all together. However, I do have a garage where I store all my outdoor tools, unused furniture, holiday decorations, etc. Included in the 900 ft. I also have a laundry room for my washer and dryer. So yes, for a single person, I think it could be done. But I'm not so sure if a couple or a family could do it. Good luck.

Answer 3

I live in the San Francisco Bay area, apartments of this size are fairly common here.

Most people/families living is such small quarters don't do it by choice, it may be all they can afford. Housing in the Bay area is among the most expensive in the entire country.

I moved here a couple of years ago, (my choice) and I still cannot understand how so many people that earn so little, can live in their own homes; while I earn a modest income, I've had to abandon my dream of owning my own home here.

I've seen showroom displays at the IKEA store that have compressed an entire household (two adults + two children in bunk beds) into less than 300 square feet! It was cozy, but a very efficient use of space, and very stylish too.

My answer would be YES, totally possible.

Answer 4

My husband, our Newfoundland dog, and myself lived in a cabin that was 228 sq ft for 10 months while our house was being built. We had a double bed, full size frig and lg stove, plus a kitchen sink and a bath room. Plus a lg TV and a computer. You learn how to use every bit of space and you keep a lot cleaner home because there is no room for junk to be left around. A person can adapt if they try. I have a very large home now and get lost in it.

Answer 5

That is actually about the size of my first apartment. I saved a ton of money and was able to buy my first house by the time I was 22, which was also very small. Lots of people live in small spaces.

Answer 6

This is a good question and I would say that what you save in energy and in any other area is likely to be offset by extreme bickering and fighting if more than one person tries to live in this small a space. I know that all over the world others do live like this but Americans are too uptight; especially in our shame in our bodies and bodily functions to pack ourselves into a small place for something like Global Warming which has no basis in scientific fact. It is just the Hollywood hot button issue and so the media and politics are inundated with it.

Answer 7

In Texas out in the desert yes. You can store stuff in a shed and the bathroom can be separate from the main room. The room will have to be air conditioned. You can find these small trailers near camp grounds. As far as the city is concerned they will forbid such a small residence.

Answer 8

500 sq ft for two would be a challenge .
most people are sold into 'needing' more room than actually they need .
there is a 'persian' tale of how much land a person needs . it comes down to an area of 3ft by 6ft. (grave site) .
all the rest is just sold to u.
personally , have live on sail boat, pickup camper, houses up to 3200sq ft.
prefer small to large, it doesn't own me as much.

Answer 9

you have a large house, the real question are you willing to down size to a 500 Sq Ft house..

Answer 10

I lived in one that was just 800 sq ft with 3 brothers and sisters and my parents. It was hard, but not impossible.