In a housing pickle. Thoughts? Ideas?

[Ultralight]

(Full disclosure: I posted part of this question on another thread as a reply, but then decided it would be a worthwhile thread on its own.)

I feel like I am in a pickle, as many people do, regarding housing. Here is a description of this pickle. Tell me what you think:

-Most houses are too big, cost too much, require tons of maintenance, and are pricey to heat/cool.
-Tiny houses are illegal because of zoning, require tow trucks to move, and can cause social/privacy issues
-Living in a van is for creepers (unfortunately...) in most parts of the nation, also illegal in most places; I am not mechanical either.
-Living in a teepee is a sure fire way to get Lyme Disease and/or hypothermia and/or arrested
-Living in an apartment is giving your money to a landlord with nothing to show for it at the end (but do I want "something to show for it" at the end?)
-Living in an RV is expensive and has many complications that tiny houses and vans have
-Living in a house with room mates is often rather horrible because "hell is other people" and this is still like renting an apartment, though often cheaper
-Living in a teardrop trailer also shares many tiny house, RV, vandwelling issues; and you need a car (at least) to tow it.

So what is a workin' man to do for affordable housing that does not constitute a second full-time job to maintain?

[catherine]

-Most houses are too big, cost too much, require tons of maintenance, and are pricey to heat/cool. There are a lot of really cute small houses in small towns/villages if you look around
-Tiny houses are illegal because of zoning, require tow trucks to move, and can cause social/privacy issues But you can find a friend who would love a few bucks for a glorified tool shed that comes with a buddy
-Living in a van is for creepers (unfortunately...) in most parts of the nation, also illegal in most places; I am not mechanical either. Wouldn't be my first choice, either, frankly.
-Living in a teepee is a sure fire way to get Lyme Disease and/or hypothermia and/or arrested Well, how about a yurt?
-Living in an apartment is giving your money to a landlord with nothing to show for it at the end (but do I want "something to show for it" at the end?) Can be a very good choice for someone who does not want the responsibility of house, and if you did calculations on apartment life vs. the amount you spend on taxes, maintenance, mortgage interest and all the other intangible and tangible costs of owning a home, it really just comes down to a matter of preference
-Living in an RV is expensive and has many complications that tiny houses and vans have I don't know how complicated they are. Jacob from Early Retirement Extreme lives in one, I think
-Living in a house with room mates is often rather horrible because "hell is other people" and this is still like renting an apartment, though often cheaper Yeah, I'm past the "roomie" stage, too. I have a roomie: DH. But an alternative is to be a house-sitter or a caretaker on someone else's property
-Living in a teardrop trailer also shares many tiny house, RV, vandwelling issues; and you need a car (at least) to tow it.I'm sure there are the adventurous who will say this is a great thing, but I agree--too small for me. A friend once sent me a picture of a house on a BIKE.

[Ultralight]

-Living in an apartment is giving your money to a landlord with nothing to show for it at the end (but do I want "something to show for it" at the end?) Can be a very good choice for someone who does not want the responsibility of house, and if you did calculations on apartment life vs. the amount you spend on taxes, maintenance, mortgage interest and all the other intangible and tangible costs of owning a home, it really just comes down to a matter of preference

This right here is a very good point... If there is one thing I dislike more than anything else, it might be responsibilities.

[Valley]

I'm just curious UltraliteAngler...are you writing a book or a thesis with all of the answers to your questions? If so, it would be interesting reading. Your posts remind me of the surveys I sent out to get data for my Master's Thesis.

[Ultralight]

I'm just curious UltraliteAngler...are you writing a book or a thesis with all of the answers to your questions? If so, it would be interesting reading. Your posts remind me of the surveys I sent out to get data for my Master's Thesis.

No, I am not a grad student anymore. Sometimes I think of going back for the PhD, but I ain't got the bread for that and no way would I take out any more student loans! $160,000 is enough to owe.

I am essentially just trying to find a way to live, in a place to live, that I can live with. I know that is convoluted. haha

[SteveinMN]

I would say that you simply need to prioritize the most important values to you in housing. You mentioned disliking responsibility more than anything. That rules out several of the alternatives you listed. Local laws and personal preferences will rule out a few more (tiny house, van). I think you'll find you're left with maybe a couple of choices, which makes the ultimate decision one of whichever seems like less of an evil to you.

My sister and her significant other have rented the same apartment for almost 15 years. It's a nice enough apartment, though they've been there long enough for apartment management to think of the place as a cash cow and it's not quite as nice as it's always been. They pay in rent about half-again what we pay for a mortgage, though things even out when one adds in utilities, long-term maintenance, the costs for things like lawnmowing and repairs, and it does not consider tax advantages or any equity we'll have in the house. Her (stated) reason for never buying a house: she likes being able to call up just one person if something isn't working right. Personally, I think that becomes an expensive phone call. But it's their preference and it works for them. Me, I couldn't get away from apartment life fast enough.

Think it through in terms of what you value most and the answer will become clear to you.

[Float On]

Having been a home owner for 25 years I'm actually looking forward to renting for a couple years (if I can talk the DH into selling our property). Just being able to call someone else and let the maintenance be their responsibility will be a load off my shoulders. I wouldn't mind an apartment or condo for a couple years....DH insists on not sharing walls. So the conversation stalls.

You might look and see what is available in long term hotels. Around here there are some nice ones that have been remodeled this year so that there is a full (small) kitchen, sitting area, bedroom, bathroom. They are charging $550-650 a month. That includes utilities, hotel pool and gym. On-site coin laundry. There are also some pretty scary ones that are full of meth addicts and bed bugs which charge the same amount (but their pool is green/unusable/the washers are always broke).

https://springfield.craigslist.org/apa/5146316420.html Here is the craigslist link to the new one I'm talking about.

[Ultralight]

My current living situation has some perks:
-No lease
-Rent in cash
-No deposits
-Live-in petsitters
-No pet fees
-Utilities split 3 ways
-I don't have to fix, repair, or maintain anything
-20 minute drive to work on a surface street
-My own bathroom
-Garage to store canoe and fishing gear
-Get along with housemates (Sis and BIL)
-Rent is only $400

But the downsides are:
-I am 36 and rent a room from my younger sister. hahaha
-I am only permitted to clean fish in the kitchen once a month! (This means I don't fish as much as I would like)
-I'd like to be able to walk or bike to work
-I am 45 minutes drive from the lady I am dating
-The neighborhood is uninteresting in every way
-The neighborhood is not especially walking or biking friendly

So I am trying to find a situation I would like to move into that is at least as good a deal as what I have when factoring everything in.

[Gregg]

Cute bungalow. New roof, gutters, wiring, furnace. All appliances inc. washer & dryer. Big corner lot (aka room for a huge garden). Taxes are $276/year. Price is $22,500. Bet they would take $20K or negotiate some kind of terms that would make it easy to get into the house. If not this one there are thousands and thousands of other similar properties for sale in just about every small town in the midwest. Just pick where you want to live and take a peek.

http://www.schultis.com/listing.do?r...=1&sort=PriceN

[Ultralight]

Cute bungalow. New roof, gutters, wiring, furnace. All appliances inc. washer & dryer. Big corner lot (aka room for a huge garden). Taxes are $276/year. Price is $22,500. Bet they would take $20K or negotiate some kind of terms that would make it easy to get into the house. If not this one there are thousands and thousands of other similar properties for sale in just about every small town in the midwest. Just pick where you want to live and take a peek.

http://www.schultis.com/listing.do?r...=1&sort=PriceN

I thought you was jerking my chain until I followed the link. Wow! Can't believe it is so cheap.