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147

The Great Compression - Thanks to soaring housing prices, the era of the 400-square-foot subdivision house is upon us (www.nytimes.com)

submitted 9 months ago by can@sh.itjust.works to c/longreads@sh.itjust.works

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[–] ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world 24 points 9 months ago (2 children)

I would have loved one of these as a young single guy. Far better than a similarly sized studio apartment that doesn't gain me any equity. The real estate market has been pushing people to buy more than they need (and more than they can afford) for years. I assume these are on concrete slabs, but if they had a full basement it would be plenty of space.

[–] Delphia@lemmy.world 21 points 9 months ago (2 children)

People are framing this like its a dystopian nightmare. The fact is that you SHOULD be able to buy a small 2 bedroom something when you're young. It doesnt need to be huge or glamorous.

[–] Uranium3006@kbin.social 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Our parents could get a whole ass house so an apartment is a small ask

[–] Illecors@lemmy.cafe 2 points 8 months ago

[–] swearengen@sopuli.xyz 0 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

Ths dystopian part is the cost. When I first opened article I was like ok if these are under 50k maybe it makes sense

He paid $145,000

145k in the paradise known as San Antonio Texas....

Unless family is keeping him there I don't understand. Even if family was the reason I'd still expand my search to an hour or 3 away before I bought that.

Just 90 minutes out gets you a nicely built brick house in Beeville with a 2 car attached garage on a corner lot with a fenced in yard so your dog can run around.

For the same price you can get way nicer properties in better states. If you're not willing to move you're making life harder than it needs to be.

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I don't think they do but with a basement I could maybe manage but it would be a tight squeeze for a couple.

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

We have done 399 and it was just fine. Even had a portable washer that we pulled out of the closet every Sunday. People tend to overestimate how much space they really need, probably because their furniture is gigantic.

[–] can@sh.itjust.works 1 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Such as?

[–] stoly@lemmy.world 1 points 8 months ago

Large couches and coffee tables? If you live in a small place, a couple of chairs with side tables will serve you better.