Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for February 08, 2017
February 07, 2017
February 09, 2017
Transcript:
Janis: I just love this "Tiny House" Idea!
Janis: Isn't this one cute?
Arlo: "Tiny House" has an awful connotation!
Janis: What would you call them?
Arlo: When I was a kid, we called them "houses."
He’s not enthused because he took a minute to think, and realize how quickly you’d miss some of the things that don’t fit in a tiny house, and also being NOT always in the same room.
When I visited a new housing development recently, I noticed how small to nonexistent the yard was. I didn’t like doing yard work either, but these houses were practically apartments for all the distance between them.
When my wife and I were first married, we called them “trailers that lost their wheels.” Now, “tiny house” equals “prefab housing with better marketing.” Regardless, they’re small, portable, and require the same zoning as a mobile home.
My father was in the oilfield and I grew up in mobile homes…first one 27ft (no bathroom, cold running water only, no refrigerator…ice box.) When I was six we got a 36 footer. Lived in that until i was in Jr High. Now I have a 50 year old 3 bedroom/2 bath house we bought new. Not very big, but big enough, on 1/3 acre lot. Wouldn’t trade it in on a “newer model” for the world. They “just don’t make them like they used to!”
While a “tiny house” may be “bearable” in a short-term sort of fashion…. I think by-and-large, they are pretty ludicrous for most folks. I suspect very few, if any are lived in year round. Some may be occasional destination, vacation homes. Others, guest accommodations or something similar. The thing that I find most obnoxious is that most of these “tiny homes” have “composting” toilets. There is no way in hell that I would want to be in a 200-400 square foot “home” every single day with a composting toilet.
If those are used to move from area to area I think they’d fall apart pretty quickly. And I would think little to no resale value if and when you decide to settle in a home… you’d be stuck with a $50,000 or more ‘white elephant’. And where are they going to start putting those when no one else wants them? Bad BAD idea!
Tiny houses may be good for a single person. There is no privacy in them. If you tried to do what I saw on the TV show- – - (man, wife, 2 dogs, AND three kids), you’d go insane! That particular family had 2 lofts for bedrooms – - -no privacy at all as you could look into each loft from the other one across the room below. 3 kids on one side, 2 parents on the other, and no WALLS!!! I have no idea where the 2 dogs were going to stay. ;-D I laughed myself sick during the entire episode. May God bless them. . .they will need it!
Lived in tiny houses back in the day. Of course they weren’t as fancy as the stuff on TV, and one was even a REAL house on a foundation and everything. My farm girl wife called it a six pen hog house. Barely enough room for two six foot adults, especially the kitchen where only ONE of us could walk though or work in at a time. Most were single wide trailers/mobile homes. Where it was my mom and dad and me up to about sixth grade. That was when they gave up on them.
We downsized to a mobile home singlewide at 1260 sq.ft., 3 bedroom & 2 bath. We love it! Plenty of space for 2, & the extra bedrooms are our studies. We have been able to add an enclosed deck that is 10ft. wide & 50 ft. long, with floor to ceiling casement windows, ceiling fans, etc.. And no stairs! If I had known how beautiful a mobile home is, we never would have purchased our old home of 22 years with the mortgage that never goes away. Mobile homes are treated like car loans, so you pay off your home in 5 years! We purchased used from the park for $18,000. We are now debt free, & we are replacing flooring with hardwood, beautiful brick paneling, fireplace, & just about everything a regular home has that is 1/4 the cost and 10x less maintenance! Our park has a gorgeous clubhouse, built in pool & basketball courts. You get the minimal maintenance of an apartment & the privacy of a home. Mobile homes have a lot of stigma attached, but the ones now are stunningly beautiful. The tiny homes are like living in a garage, & twice as expensive as a mobile home. Janis, do not fall for it. They are dollhouses.
Tyge almost 8 years ago
They do look smallish when you go back for a reminisce.
Dani Rice almost 8 years ago
I keep telling Hubby we ought to get one of those. He’s not so enthused.
jeffiekins almost 8 years ago
He’s not enthused because he took a minute to think, and realize how quickly you’d miss some of the things that don’t fit in a tiny house, and also being NOT always in the same room.
wecatsgocomics almost 8 years ago
Gosh! I thought Arlo had ‘out house’ in mind for a moment there.
Ermine Notyours almost 8 years ago
When I visited a new housing development recently, I noticed how small to nonexistent the yard was. I didn’t like doing yard work either, but these houses were practically apartments for all the distance between them.
gilker almost 8 years ago
When my wife and I were first married, we called them “trailers that lost their wheels.” Now, “tiny house” equals “prefab housing with better marketing.” Regardless, they’re small, portable, and require the same zoning as a mobile home.
sbwertz almost 8 years ago
My father was in the oilfield and I grew up in mobile homes…first one 27ft (no bathroom, cold running water only, no refrigerator…ice box.) When I was six we got a 36 footer. Lived in that until i was in Jr High. Now I have a 50 year old 3 bedroom/2 bath house we bought new. Not very big, but big enough, on 1/3 acre lot. Wouldn’t trade it in on a “newer model” for the world. They “just don’t make them like they used to!”
KEA almost 8 years ago
right on
Mema Jean almost 8 years ago
Most houses back then were small. Now you can house 10 people in what is considered enough room for 4. Its crazy.
katzenbooks45 almost 8 years ago
When I was young, we called them “travel trailers”.
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member almost 8 years ago
While a “tiny house” may be “bearable” in a short-term sort of fashion…. I think by-and-large, they are pretty ludicrous for most folks. I suspect very few, if any are lived in year round. Some may be occasional destination, vacation homes. Others, guest accommodations or something similar. The thing that I find most obnoxious is that most of these “tiny homes” have “composting” toilets. There is no way in hell that I would want to be in a 200-400 square foot “home” every single day with a composting toilet.
ob1knob2 almost 8 years ago
If those are used to move from area to area I think they’d fall apart pretty quickly. And I would think little to no resale value if and when you decide to settle in a home… you’d be stuck with a $50,000 or more ‘white elephant’. And where are they going to start putting those when no one else wants them? Bad BAD idea!
noreenklose almost 8 years ago
Tiny houses may be good for a single person. There is no privacy in them. If you tried to do what I saw on the TV show- – - (man, wife, 2 dogs, AND three kids), you’d go insane! That particular family had 2 lofts for bedrooms – - -no privacy at all as you could look into each loft from the other one across the room below. 3 kids on one side, 2 parents on the other, and no WALLS!!! I have no idea where the 2 dogs were going to stay. ;-D I laughed myself sick during the entire episode. May God bless them. . .they will need it!
mauser7 almost 8 years ago
Lived in tiny houses back in the day. Of course they weren’t as fancy as the stuff on TV, and one was even a REAL house on a foundation and everything. My farm girl wife called it a six pen hog house. Barely enough room for two six foot adults, especially the kitchen where only ONE of us could walk though or work in at a time. Most were single wide trailers/mobile homes. Where it was my mom and dad and me up to about sixth grade. That was when they gave up on them.
cosman almost 8 years ago
Grew up in a 1200sq.ft. 3bd.1ba that was built in 1900.. Parents, sister & me always had privacy whenever we wanted it..
Now, it’s just my girlfriend and me in a 2500sq.ft. 4bd.3ba. built the year after i was born..
Funny, it always feels like too much space..
starcandles Premium Member almost 8 years ago
We downsized to a mobile home singlewide at 1260 sq.ft., 3 bedroom & 2 bath. We love it! Plenty of space for 2, & the extra bedrooms are our studies. We have been able to add an enclosed deck that is 10ft. wide & 50 ft. long, with floor to ceiling casement windows, ceiling fans, etc.. And no stairs! If I had known how beautiful a mobile home is, we never would have purchased our old home of 22 years with the mortgage that never goes away. Mobile homes are treated like car loans, so you pay off your home in 5 years! We purchased used from the park for $18,000. We are now debt free, & we are replacing flooring with hardwood, beautiful brick paneling, fireplace, & just about everything a regular home has that is 1/4 the cost and 10x less maintenance! Our park has a gorgeous clubhouse, built in pool & basketball courts. You get the minimal maintenance of an apartment & the privacy of a home. Mobile homes have a lot of stigma attached, but the ones now are stunningly beautiful. The tiny homes are like living in a garage, & twice as expensive as a mobile home. Janis, do not fall for it. They are dollhouses.