Why People Choose to Live in Tiny Homes
"Tiny homes" — houses that are around 40 or fewer square meters — have become more popular in recent years, with 53% of Americans saying they would consider buying one.
Tiny homes are found all over the world, but they're most popular in the US, where there are over 10,000.
Pre-built tiny houses are available, though many people opt to build their own. Inside, they often look like a regular house, but much smaller. There might be a small open-plan kitchen and living area, a bathroom and a bed that can be reached by a ladder. Most are built on trailers, making it easy for people to change location.
One big advantage of a tiny house is cost. According to iPropertyManagement, in 2018 the average cost of an 8.5-meter-long tiny home was $65,000, while a normal home in the US cost an average of $272,000.
Some people also like tiny homes because they are good for the environment. They need less energy to heat, and they often use solar power, or are built using sustainable and local materials.
Some people choose to live in a tiny house because they want a smaller home after they retire, or because they're trying to reduce their cost of living.
For many, though, they just can't afford anything bigger.
Carwyn Lloyd-Jones, who teaches a course on building tiny homes at the UK's Centre for Alternative Technology, told the BBC that these types of houses are an attractive option for young people. "It's because they want to have that space to live in, but they are not necessarily able to afford that plot of land to build a full-size house," he said.
1. What are your thoughts on the growing popularity of tiny homes?
2. Would you ever consider buying a tiny home?
3. Are tiny homes popular in your country?
4. Would you describe housing as affordable where you live?
5. Would you like to build a home someday?
6. What do you think are the most important things to consider when buying a house or apartment?
7. Which of your friends or family would you say has the nicest home?
8. If you were given $10,000 to renovate your home, what would you spend it on?
9. What would you say are the disadvantages of living in a large house?
10. Where would you like to live once you retire? Why?