In February, 2011, we spent a few hours with Jay Shafer (Tumbleweed tiny house company), in his 96 sq. foot house-on-wheels in Sebastopol, California. Jay is one of the more well-known and successful tiny house designers, and there is no denying the “curb appeal” of his designs. That attraction is generated by Jay's careful consideration to proportion as well as by his selections about which parts to incorporate in–and even more precisely, what to leave out of– his designs. But as much as he enjoys speaking about design, what he genuinely desired to speak about was the politics of tiny houses. Why constructing and zoning codes are stacked in opposition to tiny houses, how the prices of purchase and upkeep compare to the large houses he calls “debtors' prisons”, and why, when the Big One shakes the land round San Francisco Bay, he'd preferably be in his tiny house than anywhere else.
A curiouslylocal.com film; interview by Joan Packard; digital camera by George Packard, produced by Parrot Creek Productions.
I am passionate about small houses for many reasons, but this Video really
boils down some of my reasons for wanting to live in a small house.
Yeah, I wonder if they’re going to blame THAT on the Republican,
greed-based, military complex, too?? Ha!
In spite of what you’re saying, Tiny Homes are absolutely more efficient,
economical, and sustainable. This is a fact. Compare building your own tiny
home for $10,000 and then paying $20 per month for utilities with what many
Americans are doing today. Yikes!
Ouch. Sorry, I was just curious. But I am curious as to why you couldn’t
reveal your political leanings or affiliation. I was just hoping that maybe
more people were waking up. The guy in the video is talking about being
“pissed off” about zoning laws and codes. I always associated that kind of
person as being a Conservative and/or Libertarian. I’ve always been a
Conservative and I’ve always been against zoning. So, as I said, I was just
curious to know if some liberals were waking up.
Ouch. And you all collapsed Ronald’s post. Typical liberal behavior. We
don’t like what he says, so we’ll shut him up. Ouch. Things to consider
about the U.S. is the size of the population and our standard of living.
Most of the world lives in sub-standard conditions, so, that is naturally
going to put us near the top of energy usage and other kinds of
consumption. As other countries catch up, I’m thinking of China for
example, their energy consumption will, no doubt, surpass our own.
People who don’t agree with you are “knuckle draggers”. Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
Can’t you be nice? I don’t want to have to analyse what is going on with
you, but, who mistreated you during your childhood?
Ouch. Stealing is superior? Forced confiscation is superior? Republicanism
is selfishness? That doesn’t jive with the statistics, but you can keep
believing that. How is the Tea Party out to victimize others? Could you
give me some examples, please?
I don’t think you get out much. Or maybe you operate in very limited social
circles. At school this week, the librarian, an older woman, was voicing
how she just found out that, under Obamacare, she will be limited in what
kinds of things she will be able to have done as an older person, meaning,
health care under Obama will come with conditions and limitations depending
on age and kind of ailment. Freedom-loving people have been warning about
this for quite a while now.
George Orwell WAS “in the know” and he was trying to warn us.
Does everyone deserve what I have? On what basis?
There was a man and wife in Tennessee who raised, like, 10 kids inside a
tree. No joke. And those kids grew up to be doctors, lawyers, and
politicians. DaySaviour99’s stereotyping of people is almost unbelievable.
OK, Jonathan, Ronald and Daysavior99: Interesting discussion, but please,
my Youtube channel is not a general political forum, and this video about
Jay and his ideas about tiny houses should spark comments closely related
to…well, the politics of tiny houses. So, please stay on topic? Thanks,
George Packard
I’m sorry, George. I just saw this post of yours. My original intention was
to discuss the zoning one encounters when wanting to live in a tiny house,
which does lead to a somewhat political discussion. It seems that every
area of our life today is under some form of political control.
Jonathan, yes, indeed…to live in a community or a society is to live with
restraints…and one thing I appreciate about Jay is that he looks around
and asks, “Now, which restraints can I live with, and which restraints
don’t make sense and should be changed.” Regarding zoning, both Stephen
Marshall and Mike Litchfield (you’ll find those interviews on my channel
here) comment on the issue as well, though not as strongly as does jay.
–George
Ronald: As I noted earlier today, this is neither a political forum, nor a
public place to engage in low-level flames with other writers. Please make
comments here ONLY which are relevant to the video and the ideas raised by
Jay. Thanks for your understanding. –George Packard
Understood. I will refrain from further comment on your channel. Honestly,
I’ve stated my piece, this man’s statistics are incorrect. I standby this.
I do not necessarily disagree with parts of his philosophy just the ‘facts’
and ‘stats’. Furthermore, a home this size is unsanitary. However, I have
no hard data to back that claim. My apologies for my tactics, but it is an
open debate. Furthermore, it’s quite revealing of the forces driving the
‘tiny’ home ‘revolution.’ Thank you, good day.
thanks, Ronald. When i do a piece like the interview with Jay, I’m
operating as a reporter, just putting somebody’s voice, which I find
provocative and interesting, out into the world. There are always facts and
backstories that could/should be vetted. –George
Ronald, I *loved* this posting. You are so-o-o candid when you follow your
statement that “a home this size is unsanitary” with “I have no hard data
to back that claim”. Few people can perceive, much less acknowledge their
own prejudices, man. So, well done. I hope I’m not speaking out of turn,
but I suspect YOU suspect there can be no correlation between size and
cleanliness, yes? Idk. Personally, I’ve lived in large and small spaces,
and found smaller ones easier to keep clean.
Okay, look at third world countries. That isn’t ‘hard’ data. However, the
third world homes I’ve been to are filthy and quite small. And part of the
reason they are so unsanitary is the size of the home. There is no room to
put anything, four, five, ten people crammed in 300sq ft. That is very
close contact for disease transmission. For example, are you more likely to
get the flu in the lobby of a bank or the elevator? ‘Love’ the
condescension, by the way. Way to make an argument.
I’d get claustrophobic in there bad!! I’d rather live in a one bedroom
apartment. Mine’s only 700 sq feet, and ppl say it’s tiny but suits me
well… 100 sq feet.. I couldn’t deal. It’s GREAT for a children’s
playhouse though! My 5 yr old niece would love it.
Your argument is no more valid that his. Obviously, this hundred square
foot home is not made for many people; it’s pretty crowded with two people.
And a three hundred square foot home is not made for five to ten people.
Not only this, but the fact that it’s a third world country also tells us
something. Likely, they don’t have city services like garbage pickup. They
might not have running water.
They may not even have electricity, so chances are their homes aren’t going
to be as clean as someone in a developed country with these things. And
lastly, they might not have the time for cleaning. They may be working in
fields or doing other work, and to them, cleaning may be a waste of time.
The problem is use of space. A lot of McMansions have huge areas of unused
or badly designed spaces that people buy just for the outward bloat … but
I agree with the political statement, and no mortgage, BUT, these small
houses do not have really liveable ergonomics unless you have to live there
in order to save up enough for a real place … that doesn’t have to huge
either by the way. The idea of simply trying to get to the bathroom at
night in some of these places is absurd.
Whether you like a 100 square foot house or not should not be the issue.The
issue we should be fighting for is the right to build whatever size house
or houses we want on our land.This is just another example of how the
elites and the government keeps us on the plantation.
I think he’s taking a pretty severe tack to prove a point, but there’s a
very important message here. I’m a single guy living (currently alone) in
an 1100sf 2-bedroom condo. I basically spend all of my time in about 300sf,
and the rest of the space is either disused, or full of *stuff* that I
rarely use. When I get rid of my *stuff* I look forward to selling my place
and shrinking my living space down to around 400sf or less.
Well, the first thing is that this is all premised on whatever city and
infrastructure you depend on staying up and running. I think a lot of the
gut feelings that people go by, like thinking that something they bought
and rarely use is useless and should be discarded. Sometimes, sometimes
not. It is hard to manage and get rid of stuff, and doing so intelligently
takes exponentially more time the more stuff you have. That is the prime
reason people use too much space, and vanity of course.
I don’t necessarily want to live big, or small … I want to live “right”
… right-size. For instance if you like to work on things, like
wood-working or something you need room for tools and room to work, light
and stuff, and then you don’t want that in your living space. I think there
should be freedom for more people. Personally, I’d like to own land and
build a small house/barn/greenhouse/shop … If I do I’d have to live in an
RV at first.
I can see your point. At the same time, I’m personally finding myself
hindered by the sheer amount of things I own. I end up buying duplicates of
stuff I have put away, because I don’t even remember I still own it. I’m
very certain that if I had a smaller living space and far less stuff (and
places to put stuff) I would waste less money on redundant possessions, not
to mention heating an oversized condo.
A house this size is complex, I don’t say bad, but there is a thing called
“scaling”, that is the average small house can accommodate 1-3-maybe 5
people if necessary, flexibly and make it work. What do you do if you have
the same requirement and have a house like this? How do you entertain, how
do you have a relationship? As I said, how do you even go to the bathroom
at night … what if you are sick, or have to have a home nursing care for
a while, these houses do not let someone do that.
In that case, I think we’re very much on the same page. I’m a design geek
and a crafty guy, and I feel very much stifled living in 1100sf of living
space with nowhere to put a workshop, when I could easily live in 400sf or
probably less. I was fantasizing about building one of these tiny trailer
cabins and plunking it down on a plot of land next to a garage in which I
can work on projects.
I lived in a studio apartment for college years, it was maybe 22×15, living
area, kitchen, bathroom, closet … close to 300sq.ft. I was single and it
was like living in a hotel room. It worked, but I got tired of being able
to see everything in your life at the same time all the time. If someone
visits, they see everything to. Two people in a small area will drive each
other crazy, and even one person will get territorial when they feel
cramped or cannot be alone.
This story, while I think people should be able to do what they want as
long as they do not affect others adversely, but I wonder if there is more
to this guy’s story of going from a 6000sqft house to a vritual
trailer,what was the reason. I know guys that get divorced for example,
dump their wife and kids and quit the job to not have to pay anything
towards alimony or child support, and this allows that? I’m not saying that
is the case, but I wonder if there’s pathology here?
> I’m personally finding myself hindered by the sheer amount of things I
own Tell me about it. So, your problem though is really an energy problem
in heating … why not store your stuff in a room that can be closed off
and not heated. I’m usually one to want to travel light, but I always
rethinking that when I see friends who are the opposite make good use of
their packrat tendencies and are more prepared and more quickly at hand
with solutions. It bugs me, but I don’t deny sometimes works
This is not really about housing per se, it is more about strategies and
skill in resource management, which some people tie emotionally to freedom
and liberty and thus manage to sell ideas through romance. A lot of this is
really economics, business or management. Why not remodel your current
house to include a garage or workshop?
Yeah, I completely agree; I was just pointing out that the houses aren’t
built for many people. So you are both right that small spaces would
increase the chances of the spread of disease.
I live in a condo where such work is literally impossible.
I think the point that should be received here is that 1 person really only
needs so much space to feel happy and content. So let’s say your personal
comfort level is 200 sq ft of living space and you have a family of 4, then
it’s logical to think that you and your family would require 800 sq ft to
be happy and content. Assuming of course they share your same desire to
live the same way as you wish to. Besides, it really is a personal thing.
If you don’t want a tiny house, don’t build one.
I think the point that should be received here is that 1 person really only
needs so much space to feel happy and content. So let’s say your personal
comfort level is 200 sq ft of living space and you have a family of 4, then
it’s logical to think that you and your family would require 800 sq ft to
be happy and content. Assuming of course they share your same desire to
live the same way as you wish to. Besides, it really is a personal thing.
If you don’t want a tiny house, don’t build one.
As far as the legalities of the whole thing. It seems to me that IF I were
to purchase an acre of land, that land should now be mine to do as I wish.
Owning land and placing whatever size house you wish on said land shouldn’t
be an issue. What if I totally went off grid and made my own repairs out of
pocket? I’d have no need for insurance companies or utility services. Pay
my taxes and take back my little part of the country. Everyone needs to do
that, but that is a whole other subject.
The bottom line is this: It’s about finding freedom. We as a society have
always been told that bigger is better. That one is successful if one has
many materialistic things and are constantly judge by this. Now our own
Government is telling us how to live? I totally disagree. Advancements
within a society was because someone stood up for what they believe and
then others followed because it made sense to them as well. Regardless of
any ill thought or action. It’s called free will. Maintain it!
By our thoughts we make the world. Those whose thoughts are imprisoned by
consumerism and societal judgement require others to be similarly
imprisoned. Why should the mortgage life stylers suffer while watching
others escape the life trap? Misery loves company, and we see this as
“traditional” homeowners screw it up for those seeking freedom.
Building codes are bullshit, people have lived in small travel
trailers/motor homes for years SAFELY they just want you to have to pay for
permits & big houses. Have they stopped to think if they allowed these
there’d be less homeless people & more folks who could afford a home. Total
crap!
Safety & well being what about the woman who has that 90 something sq ft
apt in Manhattan she doesn’t even have a kitchen how is that even legal.
These should be legal for regular plumbing & all the a standard 3 bed home
has or whatever such horseshit build these homes in a trailer park setting.
i am 12 and i have wanted a tiny house all my life
The following video is an interview with Jay Shafer, where he shares his
opinions about the freedom that you may gain when downsizing and
de-cluttering, ridding yourself of unneeded space and stuff, and reducing
your debt obligations.
Islam takes the matter of debt very seriously and warns against it and
urges the Muslim to avoid it as much as possible.
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his
prayer: “Allaahumma inni a’oodhi bika min al-ma’tham wa’l-maghram (O
Allaah, I seek refuge with You from sin and heavy debt).” Someone said to
him: “How often you seek refuge from heavy debt!” He said: “When a man gets
into debt, he speak and tells lies, and he makes a promise and breaks it.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari (832) and Muslim (589).
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
“The soul of the believer is suspended because of his debt until it is paid
off.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1078).
Al-Mubaarakfoori said in Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi (4/164):
The words “the soul of the believer is suspended” – al-Suyooti said: i.e.,
it is detained and kept from reaching its noble destination. Al-‘Iraaqi
said: i.e., no judgement is passed as to whether it will be saved or doomed
until it is determined whether his debt will be paid off or not.
Look for mobilehomes on beautyful. campsites and you will live in freedom
without nervracking poltics about tiny houses. I`ve sold my property
because it was illegal to build a tiny house. I lived in caravans,
sailingboats, logcabin, woodframe cabin, built a 200 sq ft brick house and
the only place i wasn`t illegal is my mobilehome on a campsite, where i
found living freedom. You can see it at my tiny home tour. Good luck Elena.
I forgot to tell you that i`ve bought my property as an 18 year young boy
and i`m 47 now. It was a long way to find a way of living small and cheap
without beeing illegal. Watch carefully and you will make it. Best wishes
to you.
What an articulate argument for our rights. In response to those stating it
is unsanitary or “whatever”, I beg to differ with you. My husband and I are
team commercial drivers. We work on the road for weeks at a time living in
a semi. We take regular showers, wash our hands, and live a healthy
lifestyle. A “tiny home” would seem spacious to us at times. However, there
are “pigs” that live in small houses AND large houses …the house does not
make the lifestyle, the inhabitant does.
ever heard of “cabin fever” mental health issue. we should have the right
to build whatever SIZE home we wish on our property.. Article each week on
tiny homes, tiny apartments, living small BIG RENTS. population pushing to
9 billion,the global elites want OUR property. democrat party is rushing to
extinguist Individual rights in favor of collectivism communal ( communist
) “good of the whole” ideology where non producers live on the backs of
producers. NOT a world i want to be a part of
I relate a lot to this guy. I’m a ” fine artist ” with an interest in
turning my creative bent towards making a place for myself to live. Art is
about meaning, homes absolutely have meaning, so it just seems natural. So
cool how this is part a whole life philosophy.
I agree with Jay. We need codes that will allow us to live In smaller
dwellings. We’re frustrated with subdivisions that require homes to be a
certain size. Small homes can be quality homes. And nearing retirement age,
we do not want all that interior/exterior area to take care of. Give us
communities that will allow us to build small homes under 1,000 sq ft.!
EDTHEWATERGUY is correct. We should be able to build whatever size home we
want.
Makes perfect sense to me. I live on the East Coast and I am doing
this..maybe not tiny or micro..but def under 1k sq ft…for sure. I am DONE
paying for a mortgage or renting. I can’t even imagine the freedom.
lol…nutjob. I won’t comment..because it’s not germaine….but suffice it
to say…ONE sentence….both parties are whores of the corporate oligarchy
that runs this nation. Done. Oh..and respectful apologies George.
Does anyone know who the go to guy is for the East Coast? Mid Atlantic? MD,
DE?
I have a BIG ASS…do you think I can fit in a tiny house
I like the concept of a small house much better than a conventional home
because its better to be free from a Mortgage than to catch a 30 to life
sentence,,,, Give me a small house paid for. a couple of kitcars and debt
freedom and I can die happy.
The codes per se are not the problem. They probably do have a lot of good
information in them. The real problem is that they are backed by violence.
There is no legitimate use of violence against a person who is harming
nobody else. If they were converted into voluntary guidelines, they would
immediately become legitimate and reasonable. Keep in mind that all the
communities we consider charming and desireable were built in a time of
essentially no codes. Let people control their own lives!
Amen to that. Whether you agree with the tiny trailer house or not, the
government laws restrict the basic rights we should have as people.
How is a home this size unsanitary? what would be your appropriate size?
per person?
You’d save a fortune not paying a mortgage!
My 675 square foot house is much larger than Mr. Shafer’s home. However,
what I love about my house is that I use every room every day. Prior to
this, I lived in a much larger rental house. There were some rooms in that
house that I didn’t see for months at a time. To me, the larger takeaway is
that houses should be scaled to a size we will actually use, and dual
purposing or triple purposing rooms can make this size surprisingly small.
Re:unsanitary– while I believe it’s true that the outcome was as Jay says:
working in NGO work in the international sphere, and looking to immigrant
housing of the early Americas that folks would pile into a house or
apartment, and it does create public health issues, from TB to pneumonia,
as a function of class and poverty. So creating space (destroying
community) created some public health benefits over decades that make a
Return to the small possible.
THEY LIVE (1988)
AMEN GOOD HUMAN! I wish everyone were good like you instead of relying on
aggressive violence to force others around them into their own f_cked up
ideas of how people should act. Statists, change your mind for a peaceful
world!
The Govt. is sleeping with the housing industry, they want us to buy bigger
houses so they can make money off of us in many ways. I say fuck them !! If
everyone starts living in tiny houses they wont be able to do anything.
Cant jail the entire city or state.