SMALLER AND SMALLER LIVING SPACES AIMED AT SINGLES - HOW SMALL IS TOO SMALL? IS THIS REALLY A WAY TO LIVE SIMPLE.

I really wish economics was not the outstanding factor in so many decisions that we must make, but there is a reality to deal with.  The cost of living is ever increasing as is the population, even when a country has near zero population growth by choice, which is the case in France and several other countries. 

And people have to live somewhere, not homeless, but in housing.

I've been reading about all the inventive small, even tiny, "houses" or single people dwellings and apartments that are being built.  Some of these are about the size of a garage or a shed.  The builders say "Well, it's still home ownership."   They reason or promote these spaces as for people who are rarely home anyway, meaning they won't get claustrophobia because they'll be at work, at the gym, someone else's house, OUT.  They also are promoted as more ecologically correct or part of the SIMPLE LIVING TREND.

The fact is, I think it takes a special person to live in one of these small, even tiny, "houses" or single people dwellings or apartments that are being built. Some of the owners are giving them up because they realized that what they really wanted was to live in more of a cave in the wilderness.  They are also on small, even tiny lots, and neighbor noise was an issue.  Another issue was having to use the lot as part of the living space, but you're on display and too close to the neighbors who want to stroll on over and talk to you.

I'm one of those people who likes to go into my cave, so that I can think and concentrate, who hates constant noise or interruption (though a big city sometimes has a background "hum" that doesn't bother me).  After a day, weekend, or at most a few days of hiding out, I get "cabin-fever" and I have to go out and get out.  I don't really want to be isolated, just left alone at times.

Recently I attended a book author's presentation at my local library about living SIMPLE.  She kept it simple!  She read her chapter titles and gave one example from each.  I noticed that many of the things that she categorizes as LIVING SIMPLE were really more about ECOLOGY, RECYCLING, and respecting this earth.  I can respect those things and I can see how they can be associated with simple living, because LIVING SIMPLE is about reducing clutter and not having or buying too much stuff, but I also thought that when she said LIVING SIMPLE WOULD SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY, she had not thought her ideas through.  (More on that in a later post.)

She did impress me as someone who might enjoy living in one of these small, even tiny "houses,"  but it turns out that she actually lives in houses in three different states for her work, which requires she sometimes be near New York City, Los Angeles, or the North West.  None of these houses are houses she bought.  Therefor, her lifestyle relies on being able to stay with others who have bought houses.

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