Small Living : How Small is Too Small?
Sometimes I forget how much it costs to live in most cities. Take New York City for example. A reader named Anita directed me to this woman lives in a 90 square foot (8.36 square meter) apartment. She pays $700 a month:
(on youtube)
All I could think as I heard her story was, “She doesn’t know about Berlin.”
I guess she probably doesn’t know how cheap it is to live in a house made out of tires in rural America, too. hehe.
It’s much easier to make the numbers balance when you’re starting your own business (like Gadanke) when the cost of living is low. We could not afford to live in New York City. In fact, we probably pay less to live in two places than most renters pay to live in one place. I want to tell you this because:
the number one reason we give up on dreams is we think they’ll cost too much.
But I don’t think that’s true. If you really, really want something deep in your heart, you might be able to find a way to make it work. I think that’s what the woman in that video discovered about her dreams… even if they’re not our dreams.
That’s why I thought I’d start a mini series that’ll run every so often. It’s all about finding ways to save money to make your dreams come true.
I thought we’d dive into things like finding international airline tickets, affording a place in Europe, shopping (and avoiding the temptation), going DIY, and some other surprise topics. If you have a topic, let me know. We’ve got some great guests lined up, too!
For now – what do you think of that 90 square foot space? Could you do it? Would you? And at what price?








April 20th, 2011 at 11:23 am
Ooh, great idea!
Ryan was horrified when we watched House Hunters International the other night, and a woman was helping her daughter buy a 100sq ft apartment in Paris. For like 150k or something. 100 sq feet is basically a room with a loft bed, and 1/2 a stove!! Personally, I thought the woman should get a bigger place in a less cool neighborhood. But that’s her business.
I could do it…and if I wasn’t starting a business making hand-sewn items, then I’d do it. Maybe 200 sq feet though. Oh, and if I didn’t have 4 pets…or a Ryan living with me. :) But yeah, I’d be up for the challenge. I think it would be fun.
April 20th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Jane and I watch the same shows. I don’t think I could stuff all of the toys my 2 kids have in a 90 sq ft apt. I don’t think the four of us and a small dog would survive each other living ina 90 sq ft space. So no, don’t think I could do it. Now if it was just me – sure. But I’ve been just me before. I like it better when it is Us.
I like your idea of the “mini” series. Sometimes bigger is not always better.
April 20th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Interesting. She is single and lives an NYC life. I couldn’t do that. With a family, we need more room. And my life involves lots of cooking and baking and gardening. I would be lost if I had to give all that up because I lived in such a place. So I think it is good for her, but my family situation precludes it. (And I think I would have major claustrophobia issues with that loft bed.)
My other thought is – you save money by having a tiny apartment, but how much extra money are you spending because you can’t cook or bake at home or you spend time elsewhere because home is so confining?
Her video reminds me of the bathroom in my uncle’s apartment in Denmark. It was 6 square feet. There was a toilet and a sink. The shower consisted of a handheld shower that rested on the sink and a drain in the floor. Long legged people could close the door while you sat on the toilet if turned your legs to the side.
April 20th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
I couldn’t do that – granted I couldn’t imagine living in NYC either. I love where I live and you can rent a nice 3bedroom house for what she’s paying for what amounts to a closet with a toilet :(
April 20th, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Well, I’m that lady named Anita. I forgot you knew me as AnnieofBlueGables and not my real name. hee hee.
I sent that link to you. And I giggled when I saw your blog post. I am excited about this new series. Thanks. I don’t have anything yet to discuss, but I will give this some thought. I am a BIG DYI-er. It makes me happy to make something for much cheaper than it would cost to buy, from clothes to that amazing salad I love so much at Cafe Rio (that costs 7.00) http://www.caferio.com/menu sweet pork barbacoa. mmmmm
thanks for the post. I love it.
~a
April 20th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Annie, that was you?! haha! You are sneaky.
I’m going back to link your name right now. ;)
Katie
April 20th, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Mother of Pearl –
That’s a fantastic point. How much does your food bill go up when you don’t have a kitchen?! I guess you’d have to buy a lot of those street vendor hotdogs that big cities always have if you want to keep things cheap. (eww!)
katie
April 20th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
You’re too cute, Katie. LOL I just forgot to make it my annie gmail instead of my personal one.
~a
April 21st, 2011 at 6:30 am
I might be able to live in this place for a very short while, to accomplish a dream perhaps, but not indefinitely. Certainly it wouldn’t work if your dream includes having a family! (I can’t quite figure out why they didn’t build the loft bed a little lower, considering the height of those ceilings.)
April 21st, 2011 at 7:17 am
I’m interested in getting how to get a deal on international tickets; we’ve got a dream trip to Italy planned for October, but right now the tickets seem so high….
April 22nd, 2011 at 5:38 pm
Enjoyed your post today!!
It amazes me the vast creativity
some people create in living within
their means!!!
My hat is off with congrats to this young
lady! She’s inspiring!!
April 23rd, 2011 at 4:45 pm
If it was just me, yes probably. It’s dorm living all over again. But it’s not just me. I come with 2 more, so no.
September 24th, 2011 at 10:17 am
I do not think I could do it. I am pretty sure having my two little boys in that small of space for any amount of time would drive me out. That is awesome that she can though!