As an introvert, I totally understand how privileged it feels to live alone in your own space after coping with the stress of living with housemates. I get it why 90sf could be an enticing option. Great video! Thanks for giving us a peek into how people are adapting to an inflated housing market that limits how much space an average person can afford.
What I am impressed with is how up-beat most of these tenants seem, and sound. They aren't wimping around like victims. They have wants and desires in life, and in order to satisfy those requirements, they have arrived at solutions that are "right" for themselves. Many of those solutions are ingenious.Thoughtful. Useful. These folks seem to have come to grips with their situation and have used their cleverness to adapt, and accept. Everyone in this vid sounds educated and articulate. What none of you judges seemed to consider is that these folks have chosen to live in the most exciting city in America.These people seem aware of the difficulties that many New Yorkers face to be here. We're crazy about our City, we love living here. Personally, I would get the bends if I had to live somewhere else. If you don't understand why, please stay where you are, you'll be more at home.
@JackMason-oq8lfI too am all for ingenuity, but when you talk about the choice to move, I wonder if you realize how many people do not have a choice to relocate? It's too expensive. I am fortunate to have housing provided, but choosing where that housing is? Simply not an option. I don't think middle class people really have a grasp on what it's like for people living at poverty level. Poverty being defined as too poor to choose where you live, the type of housing you have, or choose to raise a family. And needing to recieve benefits in order to pay monthly bills. You start to worry less about 'your future' and 'your status' and more of, being worried your car is going to be the next one to be broken into, that you will have an empty stomach, maybe for days, before you can get another full meal. Worrying so much that you get used to frequent to constant exhaustion. Just practical stuff.
@JackMason-oq8lfAnd just to add, I'm not saying anyone needed to be pitied. Just realize 'cleverness' isn't always enough to create the circumstances that you want and need to thrive. I mean, people don't live in slums because it's what they want, or because they are lazy or dumb.
I honestly appreciate seeing that segment. It's a good idea to move out of the city to raise kids and then move back when you're older because it's more convenient to not have to focus on a car centric area.
NYC pays very high salaries. Many people forget that. You can buy a home in Tennessee for 85K on a bunch of acres, but you'll be making minimum wage at your desk job if you work in that state as well.
I don't mind living in a small space but I refuse to live in places like NYC and Chicago and other huge cities. Nope. I need land and trees and privacy.
In fact, we have trees you get more privacy in the big city than you do in any small town in America and New York is safer than most southern states if not all, but hey, since you never lived in New York, you’d never have experienced these things.
Cannot believe how small these are. My first solo apartment was in 1989 and was around 700 square feet in Oakland, California (it was considered average size). I paid $525.00 including parking and had views of Lake Merritt and downtown. When another unit became vacant, it would take months to fill. Today this same apartment goes for $3,500.00 and could be rented within a few weeks.
That video was so cool. I lived in Manhattan for over 40 years. Our original home in 1969 was a Lower East Side one room, very small studio apartment with a small galley kitchen but a decent narrow bathroom with a full tub. We paid $35 a month for it. I watched the World Trade Centers being built from the 2 windows we had that faced downtown. Then we got a one bedroom apartment one floor up a couple of years later. The ceilings were high and the rooms were large. The living room was on the corner of the building and had 3 large windows. We paid $85 a month for that apartment haha. Those were the days. I miss living in The City, even though I live in Italy now haha.
I’d never miss the city if I lived in Italy. Staying at a villa is on my bucket list. I want to visit the Italian countryside and some of the vineyards.
@almurry8943 Haha, you are so right. But each place in this world has its own virtues. Perhaps it's because I'm old now and have many wonderful memories that I say that I miss Manhattan. I do however think that NYC is past its best days. Sad for sure. May you find the opportunity and resources to visit Italy. It's a wonderful place to be. My favorite season here is in September. 😉👍
Such a stroll down memory lane. I didn't realize how long I have been following your videos. You sparked my interest in convertible furniture . Well done ..thank you
If the woman who'd moved to Hawaii reads these comments: she might thing about installing a 'sink twice' on her toilet. They're common in small Japanese apartments, and use the water that refills the toilet as a faucet above the tank, allowing for hand-washing in bathrooms without a full sink. I have one in my bathroom and it works great.
Most of the ones I saw in Japan were so tiny as to be unusable, had no soap and we're often used as a place to hold small decorative tchotchke (mostly plastic flowers). It made for a very awkward affair, as I was just rinsing my hands and had to either use no soap or try to not touch anything with my dirty hands while I left the bathroom to find an adequate sink and soap. It was bizarre and my sister who had lived there for years didn't have an answer either lol : )
I love the utilitarian style that allows to save resources as well as be comfortable. I see no reason why those shouldn’t be commonplace why not use the water that’s going to just go down the drain to fill up the toilet all while saving space? Makes sense to me. I’m a nurse and saw colostomy bag changing/cleaning stations in a bathroom on a train in Japan and thought how considerate of them to do that so people who need it can not only have something that’s easier to use and separate from where others wash their hands, but also the reminder of “hey, we care about you and your needs too.” I saw something the other day about how the engineers found the most efficient route from point a to point b on their train system by using some kind of plant (sorry I can’t remember) and allowing it to grow in a model of the current system so it took the shortest route to its water (I believe) source and they were able to revamp the system to be much more direct and efficient. Other than my seafood allergy and nonexistent knowledge of the Japanese language, I would absolutely love to live in such a beautiful and functional country.
The irony is that the small space, convertible furniture tends to be really expensive, and a niche market (people who can afford expensive furniture, but not a regular apartment…so basically big cities, like NY or Boston.
@Itried20takennames I agree. As a young person here in Scotland I lived in rented rooms ( known here as bedsits). They were often in old tenements or large houses which had been divided up. They were large enough to have ordinary furniture - usually a single bed, chair, desk, wardrobe, with shared bathroom and kitchen OR a small kitchen area in the room. No need to buy expensive specially adapted furniture. Of course in the past whole families would have lived in one or two rooms.
This might have been fun when I was in my twenties, but even then, I had a studio apartment and later a shareable one bedroom that were palatial compared to these.
Some people like it. Some are willing to pay the bare minimum for a smaller place. Some find a small unit creates less mental clutter and means you can’t accumulate too much physical clutter. I live with wife and child in 550sqft and it’s fine for now.
I like the microflat I live in because it's in an old hotel building that's never had its floorplan changed. It retains authenticity. I looked at other buildings where apartments were divided into two; they were unpleasant.
This is an economic issue that all comes back to fiat money and inflation. Study Bitcoin so you can know as well why we need to separate the money from the state and say goodbye to inflation for forever.
If they are cheap I don’t mind but unfortunately most of the times they aren’t even cheap at least from what I watch on RUclips about housing in New York especially
Thank you for producing this really interesting and well-documented film. It shows the resiliency of the human spirit in adapting a way of life to one's own limited resources, especially now in this extremely challenging real estate market. Well done.👍
No matter people live in a large or small lodgement, finally they have to face the common destiny of physical death. Jesus came and died for the sin of all the creatures and so each one having a faith in Him will get His salvation and so their souls can enter the paradise after the death of the bodies. Once a person realizes he or she is just a passenger on earth and his or her real home is in Heaven, they will have a brand new life on earth.
For me, Graham Hill's apartment is still my favorite. Being able to get a 2BR out of a studio, as well as have a dinner party for twelve was a very ingenious design.
I remember many of these videos from when they 1st aired. I was living in a 3200 sf house and working like a slave. Since then, I've drastically downsized, even living out of a backpack for a year and then moving overseas. I'm back in the US since 2017 and still living much smaller. I'm much happier now that I dont let stuff rule me.
It's not just a matter of being able to afford a certain size, but also how much money one wants to throw away in rent. I admire the resourcefulness of people who choose to minimize this expenditure for whatever personal reasons they choose!
Yes, to stay out of debt, to declutter your life, to get your affairs in order and leave nothing to argue over after you pass on to the next life, to live in the location of your choosing within your budget, to have a pied-à-terre in the city, etc.
I was disappointed at the end when the rest of the gentleman's apartment wasn't shown. Also, that it was not asked of the renters (except one) how much they paid for rent.
As someone who has lived in NYC for 15 years, I can tell you these kinds of micro apartments can work out really well for some people, great for a young person willing to be flexible, but they get REALLY REALLY OLD after a while. I’ll be leaving NYC as soon as I figure out the next step. I’ll miss some things about the city but I won’t miss this nonsense.
I just retired, soc sec is half of my income. Its either find a room cheap or move into my car. My absolutly lowest rent in the state, is too high. We are broken.
I recently sailed on a 52ft yacht for a week with strangers. I expected it to be somewhat uncomfortable but I never expected that I’d walk away w claustrophobia. I’m 65 w many life experiences including trekking to high altitudes. As I watch this video I’m overcome by the feelings I got when heading to bed and sharing that super tight space w a stranger. Eek
NYC is more than Manhattan. Manhattan is ridiculous. I lived on Long Island for 3.5 years until Sept 2021 and worked in the city. I was living with family while working on getting established there. The costs for apartments was exorbitant overall. What is missing in your conversations is the up front fees AND proof of income in multiples of the rent you have to have to even be considered for an apartment in greater NYC. It's a BAMBOOZLE and overrated. It's all for the sake of caché. I don't even feel bad for folk who want to endure it. I moved to Tulsa for an overall lower cost of living with a ballet, a symphony, abotanical garden, a zoo, an aquarium, 2 planetaria, an international airport, a Saks, AND a half-height copy of the original WTC tower by the SAME architect. I live in a walkable neighborhood adjacent to a university and have multiple parks near by. My commute is 15 minutes. My duplex has SPACE and a yard for $1100/mo. I don't miss NYC.
So many have been deceived...close 2 years ago moved AWAY from one of the top 10 cities in USA ...Fishers IN in Hamilton County..they were a town but changed their status to a "city". We are former military and lived overseas most of young adult lives....if you are young and financially fit yes...go right ahead....but during the shutdowns.....hubby and I saw the writing on the wall....we left the so called fancy city and HOA fees and purchased over 10 acres of land in a rural area, we have 2 ponds with fish. We have well water and we only have trash and electric bill. We have been trying to grow food and I learned how to can at the age of 55.....I say all this because the people really need to think about what will happen when you are forced to only be in your cities and can 't travel outside of your assigned zones. The folks brag about how the cities so great and so convenient. BUT it is ALL LIES....there is no convenience in pay quadruple for a place to lay your head...fighting for supplies to sustain your self and minors you care for.
@annatullison1482 I have to agree with you. In general, most people need more space than a 90 sq. ft. box. NYC, LA and San Diego are in trouble now because there is such a lack of affordable housing for people which is adding significantly to the homeless population. My 2 bedroom apartment in Maryland cost $1,200/month. After I retired I moved to a more rural setting. My house payment and utilities is much less than $1,200 for a 50% larger 2 bedroom house on a large lot I can garden on that is quiet.
You don’t need a car? Are the parks big? Anywhere to swim? I live in Brooklyn and think about moving but don’t want a car. And I have prospect park and the ocean.
Gosh, didn't realise I had been watching your videos for more than a decade!!!! I remember all the early ones included here. Well done Kirsten, your work never gets old. 😊😊
Incomprehensible to me. I live in an 1800 sq ft freestanding home. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 2 car attached garage, large yard. I would never live like these urban dwellers do...like a trapped rat!
I remember all of those old videos :) Reminds me of my micro apartment in Montreal. I had a mattress on the floor and I got a cat so that she would wake me up early so I could job hunt, after I missed out on so many jobs sleeping late.
Once upon a time, a Murphy’s bed in an apartment (room ) was aa sign of flea bag . In fact, any transmutable furniture was considered cheap. Now it’s smart and efficient
lived @ The Park @ Voss: Houston...Southwest side years PRIOR with a Murphy Bed (mirror afront) nice large patio and integrated shelving, large bathroom and closet it was OK....
It is strange to have constant reminders of how fast a decade has gone by in this video. I remember watching the transformer apartment video and thought it was modern. A decade later and I still think it is modern.
My first apartment used to be housing building of dorm rooms. They had been part of the campus housing for a nearby university back in the 1950s and 60s. Some time in the late 70s or early 80s they were renovated into very small single occupancy apartments. Everything was all in one room; even the toilet and shower were not in a separate room, so it really was meant for 1 person. They were half the size and half the price of most 1 bedroom apartments in the area. It was a good way to have your own place rather than sharing an apartment. Some of my friends didn't know how I could stand it, thought I'd be claustrophobic in such a small area. But I grew up in a chaotic, violent home. It was my personal private space, and I didn't have to worry about anyone breaking out into fights. It was so peaceful and quiet. My tiny place felt more like home than any 2,000 sq ft house I lived in before.
Toilet and shower in the same room as the living space is extreme capitalistic greed. Doubt the landlord would even contemplate living like that themselves.
@tennesseeterri No, they are not all ‘dorm rooms’. Some were beautifully designed small spaces. Some were cramped closet spaces with shared bathrooms and no plumbing. Nobody wants to sleep with their head near a toilet, student or not. 18:42. Nobody wants to have to brush their teeth in the kitchen sink. Nobody wants to live in a space so small it can barely fit more than a bed. People take these spaces because that is all they can afford. Greed is squeezing people into tiny spaces you would never want to live in yourself, to maximise profit. If you don’t understand that, I’m afraid I cannot help you.
The final apartment struck a chord. The dream of living in a 4 bed detached house is great, right up until the stairs are too much and it's too far to get the shopping. I recall a video of a successful elderly couple in Australia who had done something similar - sold their big house and bought a small apartment they customized in readiness for declining health. I'd like to think I have the wits to do something similar before my knees finally go.
I live in the U.K in a 4 bed house alone. It was the family home and I’m the last one. It was left to me by my parents, and I realise how lucky I am every single day. I’m hoping to stay here until the end of my days, hopefully I can get a stairlift when my knees fail me.
My folks bought a house in California for 109k in 1979. That same house is now 3.1 million. Not very many young people living here now. Something has to change.
How wonderfully comprehensive this video is. I moved out of Manhattan in 1989 and never looked back, but I certainly wondered how people were making it work. Thank you for this documentation. No one else is doing it as well as you are.
Showing clips from over 10 years ago and I remember watching them. Been watching your channel for over 10 years! And as if to clarify that your very grown up looking oldest daughter saying Mom at the end.
This history or one room living has added much needed context. Although this small living can look oppressive now - its actually a massive improvement on how people used to have to live in them even up until the 90's.
I have viewed a bunch of these micro-apartment videos (not sure why, I don't live in NYC, I guess the concept just fascinated me.) I have seen a lot of ingenious work-arounds and small-space fixes. Per your historical documentary, people have been making do in NYC for quite some time. Once again, I'm fascinated.
15-15-15. 15-minute cities, 15sqm personal space, 15 people sharing one electric car. That's in for you guys. And your newcomer overlords with their big families will be living their best lives on your dime.
Holy DEATHTRAP Batman ! Sprinklers might put out a fire but smoke inhalation from lack of windows will do you in quickly. There's a reason building codes were changed.
It's sad to see how the city saw an historical problem with apartment sizes and made regulations to fix it, and when housing became too expensive, instead of trying to limit the prices decided to remove those regulations. We're moving backwards.
A certain group wants to shrink/eliminate SS and Medicare and criminalize travel out of state for exercising female body autonomy. Can you name that group? VOTE!!!
Are you referring to removing regulations on small apartments? As far as I know they remain illegal. Almost any way people live in nyc is considered illegal.
They exist in Paris attics and probably others places but is more uncommon here although unfortunately they are starting to learn from Americans, Europe is more americanized by the days.
I enjoyed this video. My husband and I own our home finally in Mississippi. I always enjoy seeing the apartments in NYC. After decluttering much of our stuff 2 years ago, our 1800 sq foot house seems too big. It is more work to clean the older I get. But it is home.
One thing I will never understand is why people wear their street shoes in to their homes - bringing in all the filth from the outside in. The mind boggles.
Hi 👋, Kirsten, It is great that you are showing us very different living styles and culture, from people, just starting out a new life new beginning, two people that have achieved great heights, with amazing properties, I am living in a converted Moulin/Mill , each floor is 11m x 7m , my ex and I purchased a property back in 2013, and because we are now X, I still have not finished the property. It’s still needs a lot of work doing to it, it does have three bedrooms, one ensuite, one shared bathroom and a utility, and a very large kitchen diner five divided off the lounge area so I can keep it warm easier in the winter time, Look forward to the next territorial seen amazing properties , thank you for sharing, Phil from the moulin France.
What a great video!! Very historic, you cover interesting parts of the city and I love how they're modernizing these tiny flats. Makes perfect sense to me. I'm fascinated with SRO's and saw my first one three years ago. I was in a shelter at the time and was looking for a place; now I have a one bedroom in the Bronx. 😅
They could get a lot more space if they didn't insist on staying in Manhattan. There are four other boroughs and across the river in NJ is a short trip.
As an introvert, I totally understand how privileged it feels to live alone in your own space after coping with the stress of living with housemates. I get it why 90sf could be an enticing option. Great video! Thanks for giving us a peek into how people are adapting to an inflated housing market that limits how much space an average person can afford.
What I am impressed with is how up-beat most of these tenants seem, and sound. They aren't wimping around like victims. They have wants and desires in life, and in order to satisfy those requirements, they have arrived at solutions that are "right" for themselves. Many of those solutions are ingenious.Thoughtful. Useful. These folks seem to have come to grips with their situation and have used their cleverness to adapt, and accept. Everyone in this vid sounds educated and articulate. What none of you judges seemed to consider is that these folks have chosen to live in the most exciting city in America.These people seem aware of the difficulties that many New Yorkers face to be here. We're crazy about our City, we love living here. Personally, I would get the bends if I had to live somewhere else. If you don't understand why, please stay where you are, you'll be more at home.
@JackMason-oq8lfI too am all for ingenuity, but when you talk about the choice to move, I wonder if you realize how many people do not have a choice to relocate? It's too expensive. I am fortunate to have housing provided, but choosing where that housing is? Simply not an option. I don't think middle class people really have a grasp on what it's like for people living at poverty level. Poverty being defined as too poor to choose where you live, the type of housing you have, or choose to raise a family. And needing to recieve benefits in order to pay monthly bills. You start to worry less about 'your future' and 'your status' and more of, being worried your car is going to be the next one to be broken into, that you will have an empty stomach, maybe for days, before you can get another full meal. Worrying so much that you get used to frequent to constant exhaustion. Just practical stuff.
@JackMason-oq8lfAnd just to add, I'm not saying anyone needed to be pitied. Just realize 'cleverness' isn't always enough to create the circumstances that you want and need to thrive. I mean, people don't live in slums because it's what they want, or because they are lazy or dumb.
I've never had a roommate. The only "roommate" I've had has been relationship based.
Yep for me a tiny studio beats a roommate, absolutely.
Must have been a nightmare living in such a small space during the pandemic lockdown.
Thank you for covering an older person. So much media out there is about young people.
I honestly appreciate seeing that segment. It's a good idea to move out of the city to raise kids and then move back when you're older because it's more convenient to not have to focus on a car centric area.
@mikarose4671 she's not old🙄🙄🙄are you 11 years old???
$1200 a month for 86 sqft. Absolutely insane!
But it’s NYC, and - oh, look: a tree! *smh*
NYC pays very high salaries. Many people forget that. You can buy a home in Tennessee for 85K on a bunch of acres, but you'll be making minimum wage at your desk job if you work in that state as well.
@chrisbabbitt4202 it’s amazing how people can adjust to situations. He’s making the best of his space.
"This is a Juliet balcony, which is a fancy term for not really a balcony." 😂
I don't mind living in a small space but I refuse to live in places like NYC and Chicago and other huge cities. Nope. I need land and trees and privacy.
yes and safety --- which doesn't exist in these cities.
In fact, we have trees you get more privacy in the big city than you do in any small town in America and New York is safer than most southern states if not all, but hey, since you never lived in New York, you’d never have experienced these things.
agree tiny would be lovely somewhere green. that being said, nyc is awesome and new yorkers kick ass
Cannot believe how small these are. My first solo apartment was in 1989 and was around 700 square feet in Oakland, California (it was considered average size). I paid $525.00 including parking and had views of Lake Merritt and downtown. When another unit became vacant, it would take months to fill. Today this same apartment goes for $3,500.00 and could be rented within a few weeks.
Did you tie an onion to your belt? Legend has it it was the style at the time.
@dec2721 Never heard of this.
@its-all-good Its a reference to the grandpa from the Simpsons. He's just calling you old lol
@CheezMonsterCrazy Ahhh got it. I've been called much worse.
@dec2721 Someday you become old too, if you live long.
That video was so cool. I lived in Manhattan for over 40 years. Our original home in 1969 was a Lower East Side one room, very small studio apartment with a small galley kitchen but a decent narrow bathroom with a full tub. We paid $35 a month for it. I watched the World Trade Centers being built from the 2 windows we had that faced downtown. Then we got a one bedroom apartment one floor up a couple of years later. The ceilings were high and the rooms were large. The living room was on the corner of the building and had 3 large windows. We paid $85 a month for that apartment haha. Those were the days. I miss living in The City, even though I live in Italy now haha.
why??
Italy? It must be nice.
I bet Italy is super nice
I’d never miss the city if I lived in Italy. Staying at a villa is on my bucket list. I want to visit the Italian countryside and some of the vineyards.
@almurry8943 Haha, you are so right. But each place in this world has its own virtues. Perhaps it's because I'm old now and have many wonderful memories that I say that I miss Manhattan. I do however think that NYC is past its best days. Sad for sure. May you find the opportunity and resources to visit Italy. It's a wonderful place to be. My favorite season here is in September. 😉👍
Such a stroll down memory lane. I didn't realize how long I have been following your videos. You sparked my interest in convertible furniture . Well done ..thank you
These early videos are mainly why I still follow you. You make fascinating, engageing and interesting work.
If the woman who'd moved to Hawaii reads these comments: she might thing about installing a 'sink twice' on her toilet. They're common in small Japanese apartments, and use the water that refills the toilet as a faucet above the tank, allowing for hand-washing in bathrooms without a full sink. I have one in my bathroom and it works great.
Also popular in prisons.
Most of the ones I saw in Japan were so tiny as to be unusable, had no soap and we're often used as a place to hold small decorative tchotchke (mostly plastic flowers).
It made for a very awkward affair, as I was just rinsing my hands and had to either use no soap or try to not touch anything with my dirty hands while I left the bathroom to find an adequate sink and soap.
It was bizarre and my sister who had lived there for years didn't have an answer either lol : )
Also popular in innovative US restaurants. (They always have a seperate sink too--code and all, but I love it when they pop up. I joyfully use them.
I love the utilitarian style that allows to save resources as well as be comfortable. I see no reason why those shouldn’t be commonplace why not use the water that’s going to just go down the drain to fill up the toilet all while saving space? Makes sense to me. I’m a nurse and saw colostomy bag changing/cleaning stations in a bathroom on a train in Japan and thought how considerate of them to do that so people who need it can not only have something that’s easier to use and separate from where others wash their hands, but also the reminder of “hey, we care about you and your needs too.” I saw something the other day about how the engineers found the most efficient route from point a to point b on their train system by using some kind of plant (sorry I can’t remember) and allowing it to grow in a model of the current system so it took the shortest route to its water (I believe) source and they were able to revamp the system to be much more direct and efficient. Other than my seafood allergy and nonexistent knowledge of the Japanese language, I would absolutely love to live in such a beautiful and functional country.
Bad idea to link sink faucet to toilet faucet. I don't think that's very safe. They do it in Japan, but I don't think it's safe.
The irony is that the small space, convertible furniture tends to be really expensive, and a niche market (people who can afford expensive furniture, but not a regular apartment…so basically big cities, like NY or Boston.
@Itried20takennames I agree. As a young person here in Scotland I lived in rented rooms ( known here as bedsits). They were often in old tenements or large houses which had been divided up. They were large enough to have ordinary furniture - usually a single bed, chair, desk, wardrobe, with shared bathroom and kitchen OR a small kitchen area in the room. No need to buy expensive specially adapted furniture. Of course in the past whole families would have lived in one or two rooms.
Thank you for coming by! I just moved out of that tiny apartment :)
WOW, these ppl pay 1,000. + for a few ft of space with NO PRIVATE BATHROOM. UNBELIEVABLE!
I am so blessed !!!
They think it's cool.
@manoman0No, they don’t. They’re just trying to put a positive face on.
I feel the same way. These tiny apartments remind me of jail cells. Being an Australian I am used to space
No fire escape for the young video editors place.
My 1,500 sq ft townhouse feels like a mansion after watching this.
All of these people are such lovely people and very creative. But, I almost cried because of the nasty conditions and prices that are getting worse.
This might have been fun when I was in my twenties, but even then, I had a studio apartment and later a shareable one bedroom that were palatial compared to these.
"Micro-living" and "tiny dwellings" are both just the PC terms for tenements.
Some people like it. Some are willing to pay the bare minimum for a smaller place. Some find a small unit creates less mental clutter and means you can’t accumulate too much physical clutter. I live with wife and child in 550sqft and it’s fine for now.
I like the microflat I live in because it's in an old hotel building that's never had its floorplan changed. It retains authenticity. I looked at other buildings where apartments were divided into two; they were unpleasant.
Absolutely!
This is an economic issue that all comes back to fiat money and inflation. Study Bitcoin so you can know as well why we need to separate the money from the state and say goodbye to inflation for forever.
If they are cheap I don’t mind but unfortunately most of the times they aren’t even cheap at least from what I watch on RUclips about housing in New York especially
I bought my first and only house in 2003. I am on 3 acres. I could never live in town again. Drinking coffee on my deck is amazing.
6:35 Rigatoni somehow turned into spaghetti.
Thank you for producing this really interesting and well-documented film. It shows the resiliency of the human spirit in adapting a way of life to one's own limited resources, especially now in this extremely challenging real estate market. Well done.👍
No matter people live in a large or small lodgement, finally they have to face the common destiny of physical death. Jesus came and died for the sin of all the creatures and so each one having a faith in Him will get His salvation and so their souls can enter the paradise after the death of the bodies. Once a person realizes he or she is just a passenger on earth and his or her real home is in Heaven, they will have a brand new life on earth.
For me, Graham Hill's apartment is still my favorite. Being able to get a 2BR out of a studio, as well as have a dinner party for twelve was a very ingenious design.
Nice video, a mini documentary. Those small rooms here in Hong Kong, similar or higher rent, accomodate a family of four, really bad condition.
LOVE this format that includes historical context & footage, both yours & archival. Your channel is enduringly fascinating. Thank you!! ❤❤❤
I remember many of these videos from when they 1st aired. I was living in a 3200 sf house and working like a slave. Since then, I've drastically downsized, even living out of a backpack for a year and then moving overseas. I'm back in the US since 2017 and still living much smaller. I'm much happier now that I dont let stuff rule me.
I have claustrophobia, so I'll probably have nightmares tonight.
I’m still amazed at how resilient people can be when they need!😮
so you have needed to be, seems to come to everyone sometime in their lives.
It's not just a matter of being able to afford a certain size, but also how much money one wants to throw away in rent. I admire the resourcefulness of people who choose to minimize this expenditure for whatever personal reasons they choose!
Yes, to stay out of debt, to declutter your life, to get your affairs in order and leave nothing to argue over after you pass on to the next life, to live in the location of your choosing within your budget, to have a pied-à-terre in the city, etc.
Nicely said.
I was disappointed at the end when the rest of the gentleman's apartment wasn't shown. Also, that it was not asked of the renters (except one) how much they paid for rent.
I’ve lived in a van for six years so this doesn’t seem strange to me.
78 square feet is illegal. Technically illegal in New York City. What you have is a closet
but these people are leaving space for the big families of illegals.
I remembered when this channel had only 200k subs, I'm happy that you kept on keeping on :)
As someone who has lived in NYC for 15 years, I can tell you these kinds of micro apartments can work out really well for some people, great for a young person willing to be flexible, but they get REALLY REALLY OLD after a while. I’ll be leaving NYC as soon as I figure out the next step. I’ll miss some things about the city but I won’t miss this nonsense.
It's definitely for a time and a purpose, but not as a forever home....
I’d like to see the face of the person renting out these cubbyholes.
A 25 yr old friend rented a couch to sleep on with kitchen/bath privileges. $750/month This was eight yrs ago. Our system is broken
I just retired, soc sec is half of my income. Its either find a room cheap or move into my car.
My absolutly lowest rent in the state, is too high.
We are broken.
it isn't broken that is how it was 40 years ago in large cities
I recently sailed on a 52ft yacht for a week with strangers. I expected it to be somewhat uncomfortable but I never expected that I’d walk away w claustrophobia. I’m 65 w many life experiences including trekking to high altitudes. As I watch this video I’m overcome by the feelings I got when heading to bed and sharing that super tight space w a stranger. Eek
With a stranger, no thank you. Alone would be totally different.
NYC is more than Manhattan. Manhattan is ridiculous. I lived on Long Island for 3.5 years until Sept 2021 and worked in the city. I was living with family while working on getting established there. The costs for apartments was exorbitant overall. What is missing in your conversations is the up front fees AND proof of income in multiples of the rent you have to have to even be considered for an apartment in greater NYC. It's a BAMBOOZLE and overrated. It's all for the sake of caché. I don't even feel bad for folk who want to endure it. I moved to Tulsa for an overall lower cost of living with a ballet, a symphony, abotanical garden, a zoo, an aquarium, 2 planetaria, an international airport, a Saks, AND a half-height copy of the original WTC tower by the SAME architect. I live in a walkable neighborhood adjacent to a university and have multiple parks near by. My commute is 15 minutes. My duplex has SPACE and a yard for $1100/mo. I don't miss NYC.
So many have been deceived...close 2 years ago moved AWAY from one of the top 10 cities in USA ...Fishers IN in Hamilton County..they were a town but changed their status to a "city". We are former military and lived overseas most of young adult lives....if you are young and financially fit yes...go right ahead....but during the shutdowns.....hubby and I saw the writing on the wall....we left the so called fancy city and HOA fees and purchased over 10 acres of land in a rural area, we have 2 ponds with fish. We have well water and we only have trash and electric bill. We have been trying to grow food and I learned how to can at the age of 55.....I say all this because the people really need to think about what will happen when you are forced to only be in your cities and can 't travel outside of your assigned zones. The folks brag about how the cities so great and so convenient. BUT it is ALL LIES....there is no convenience in pay quadruple for a place to lay your head...fighting for supplies to sustain your self and minors you care for.
Oklahoma is better because it's not run by democrats.
@annatullison1482 I have to agree with you. In general, most people need more space than a 90 sq. ft. box. NYC, LA and San Diego are in trouble now because there is such a lack of affordable housing for people which is adding significantly to the homeless population. My 2 bedroom apartment in Maryland cost $1,200/month. After I retired I moved to a more rural setting. My house payment and utilities is much less than $1,200 for a 50% larger 2 bedroom house on a large lot I can garden on that is quiet.
You don’t need a car? Are the parks big? Anywhere to swim? I live in Brooklyn and think about moving but don’t want a car. And I have prospect park and the ocean.
How do illegals get their apartments? Serious question.
Small, but safe, clean , and great use of a small space ! ❤
I can't even make it through the video, let alone actually live in a closet size space....
Gosh, didn't realise I had been watching your videos for more than a decade!!!! I remember all the early ones included here. Well done Kirsten, your work never gets old. 😊😊
Thought the same.
This is exactly how they want ppl living.
Incomprehensible to me. I live in an 1800 sq ft freestanding home. 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 2 car attached garage, large yard. I would never live like these urban dwellers do...like a trapped rat!
I remember all of those old videos :) Reminds me of my micro apartment in Montreal. I had a mattress on the floor and I got a cat so that she would wake me up early so I could job hunt, after I missed out on so many jobs sleeping late.
Shiatsu Cat
Once upon a time, a Murphy’s bed in an apartment (room ) was aa sign of flea bag . In fact, any transmutable furniture was considered cheap. Now it’s smart and efficient
lived @ The Park @ Voss: Houston...Southwest side years PRIOR with a Murphy Bed (mirror afront) nice large patio and integrated shelving, large bathroom and closet it was OK....
When I was a kid I always wanted to live in nyc. But when I went there I changed my mind. Watching this reminds me why.
It is strange to have constant reminders of how fast a decade has gone by in this video. I remember watching the transformer apartment video and thought it was modern. A decade later and I still think it is modern.
My first apartment used to be housing building of dorm rooms. They had been part of the campus housing for a nearby university back in the 1950s and 60s. Some time in the late 70s or early 80s they were renovated into very small single occupancy apartments. Everything was all in one room; even the toilet and shower were not in a separate room, so it really was meant for 1 person. They were half the size and half the price of most 1 bedroom apartments in the area. It was a good way to have your own place rather than sharing an apartment. Some of my friends didn't know how I could stand it, thought I'd be claustrophobic in such a small area. But I grew up in a chaotic, violent home. It was my personal private space, and I didn't have to worry about anyone breaking out into fights. It was so peaceful and quiet. My tiny place felt more like home than any 2,000 sq ft house I lived in before.
In Korea, they have goshiwons, very small one room housing. But separate bathroom and kitchen.
Toilet and shower in the same room as the living space is extreme capitalistic greed. Doubt the landlord would even contemplate living like that themselves.
I would rather live in a very small space on my own, than a larger space with a roommate I have nothing in common with.
@gee_emm they were dorm room for college students. Very near campus probably. Safe and cozy. How is that greed?
@tennesseeterri No, they are not all ‘dorm rooms’. Some were beautifully designed small spaces. Some were cramped closet spaces with shared bathrooms and no plumbing. Nobody wants to sleep with their head near a toilet, student or not. 18:42. Nobody wants to have to brush their teeth in the kitchen sink. Nobody wants to live in a space so small it can barely fit more than a bed. People take these spaces because that is all they can afford. Greed is squeezing people into tiny spaces you would never want to live in yourself, to maximise profit. If you don’t understand that, I’m afraid I cannot help you.
I will never complain about my apartment which is 525 square feet. Across an elementary school and a park.
This is what I imagine hell is like
Omg i live alone in a three-storey house and still lack storage space. I evidently need to use my space more efficiently.
I like the last apartment. Murphy bed, storage, fold out table. Now how to replicate it in my 288sq ft studio.
The final apartment struck a chord. The dream of living in a 4 bed detached house is great, right up until the stairs are too much and it's too far to get the shopping. I recall a video of a successful elderly couple in Australia who had done something similar - sold their big house and bought a small apartment they customized in readiness for declining health. I'd like to think I have the wits to do something similar before my knees finally go.
I live in the U.K in a 4 bed house alone. It was the family home and I’m the last one. It was left to me by my parents, and I realise how lucky I am every single day. I’m hoping to stay here until the end of my days, hopefully I can get a stairlift when my knees fail me.
@MoonSpinners what a waste I hung on to 3 generations of things until I realized what am I holding on to this for? who is going to benefit from this?
We have a five bedroom home with no stairs. That will save your knees too. It’s paid off now but was a $1,700 mortgage at the time.
A lot of these apartments are bigger than my college dorm room. Not too shabby
My folks bought a house in California for 109k in 1979. That same house is now 3.1 million. Not very many young people living here now. Something has to change.
Watching from London, UK, where the same is happening.
1:30 This scene is iconic for this channel.
The size of a sprinter van..
Thats a lot for an older person, as time goes on they're not going to be able to move things around, so this can be a hardship.
Harder than taking care of a huge house and acres of land? 🙄
How wonderfully comprehensive this video is. I moved out of Manhattan in 1989 and never looked back, but I certainly wondered how people were making it work. Thank you for this documentation. No one else is doing it as well as you are.
I left the same year. 👍
Showing clips from over 10 years ago and I remember watching them. Been watching your channel for over 10 years! And as if to clarify that your very grown up looking oldest daughter saying Mom at the end.
This history or one room living has added much needed context. Although this small living can look oppressive now - its actually a massive improvement on how people used to have to live in them even up until the 90's.
hopefully with the airbnb restrictions, there will be more housing in NYC now.
You young ppl are very creative with the spaces. So I think if your happy it's ok✌️
I would never let my kid live in one of these death traps!
BRAVO 😁 Good for you Sir do your Writing, whatever you're deciding to Write !!
I'm happy for you All !!
God Bless 😁
What is it about New York City that people just fall in love with it and have to go back. ❤
14:34 LOVE her apartment! It has EVERYTHING and yet she made it spacious, clean and comfortable!
Yes! I remember that old video of the transforming apartment! This whole episode was super interesting. Really Loved watching every second.
Ahhh the romance of living in NYC 😍. Reality … living in the SHU, a prison cell 😢
That's a normal dorm room in the Philippines.
1:45 Reminds me of living in a coffin... the Vampires dream comes true
By legal code your bedroom alone must be 80 square feet.
My husband's deer stand is bigger than the place in Hells Kitchen.
I have viewed a bunch of these micro-apartment videos (not sure why, I don't live in NYC, I guess the concept just fascinated me.) I have seen a lot of ingenious work-arounds and small-space fixes. Per your historical documentary, people have been making do in NYC for quite some time. Once again, I'm fascinated.
I love seeing these old episodes! Your channel has been in my home for a long, long time! Thank you.
I was so fortunate to buy my apartment in 1999. I feel very blessed
and what are the taxes, monthly fees, insurance?
Tiny Homes- not normal. Significant sign of where we are and frightening glimpse into the future
15-15-15. 15-minute cities, 15sqm personal space, 15 people sharing one electric car.
That's in for you guys. And your newcomer overlords with their big families will be living their best lives on your dime.
Then the politicians ask why young people are not having kids!
Holy DEATHTRAP Batman !
Sprinklers might put out a fire but smoke inhalation from lack of windows will do you in quickly.
There's a reason building codes were changed.
This is beyond sad.
It is very clear that the micro apartment convertible furniture (modular design) is not accessible to the elderly or physically challenged.
People living in these micro- pods remind me of the short story The Machine Stops.
This is the coziest apartment ever. I love it!!
Lovvvveed watching this! I want to live in the runner’s apartment, she’s got it down to essentials only!
What a fantastic update! Loved revisiting some of these wonderful spaces.
I lived in NYC for 14 years from '01 to '15. This is an amazing video. Thank you!
Oh my. Climbing all those stairs.
With groceries!!
It's sad to see how the city saw an historical problem with apartment sizes and made regulations to fix it, and when housing became too expensive, instead of trying to limit the prices decided to remove those regulations. We're moving backwards.
A certain group wants to shrink/eliminate SS and Medicare and criminalize travel out of state for exercising female body autonomy. Can you name that group? VOTE!!!
Are you referring to removing regulations on small apartments? As far as I know they remain illegal. Almost any way people live in nyc is considered illegal.
@jamesetal7088Trump 2024 🇺🇸🇺🇸
This is insanity.
I lived in Europe off an on and never saw apartments this small. I could never do it. I own to many family treasures.
They exist in Paris attics and probably others places but is more uncommon here although unfortunately they are starting to learn from Americans,
Europe is more americanized by the days.
It is an enjoyable documentary. So smooth and natural that says a lot about tiny living conditions in massive cities.
Thanks a lot to share your art.
I enjoyed this video. My husband and I own our home finally in Mississippi. I always enjoy seeing the apartments in NYC. After decluttering much of our stuff 2 years ago, our 1800 sq foot house seems too big. It is more work to clean the older I get. But it is home.
One thing I will never understand is why people wear their street shoes in to their homes - bringing in all the filth from the outside in. The mind boggles.
Hi 👋, Kirsten, It is great that you are showing us very different living styles and culture, from people, just starting out a new life new beginning, two people that have achieved great heights, with amazing properties, I am living in a converted Moulin/Mill , each floor is 11m x 7m , my ex and I purchased a property back in 2013, and because we are now X, I still have not finished the property. It’s still needs a lot of work doing to it, it does have three bedrooms, one ensuite, one shared bathroom and a utility, and a very large kitchen diner five divided off the lounge area so I can keep it warm easier in the winter time,
Look forward to the next territorial seen amazing properties , thank you for sharing, Phil from the moulin France.
What a great video!! Very historic, you cover interesting parts of the city and I love how they're modernizing these tiny flats. Makes perfect sense to me. I'm fascinated with SRO's and saw my first one three years ago. I was in a shelter at the time and was looking for a place; now I have a one bedroom in the Bronx. 😅
They could get a lot more space if they didn't insist on staying in Manhattan. There are four other boroughs and across the river in NJ is a short trip.
bring back the boarding houses with good management!
I love the closing line from your last interviewee, after everything was said that bottom line is simply “We all need a place to live.” ❤
just not too big please. biden needs space. so, get used to small living spaces. if you need more space, go for a walk.
This makes me sad.
That “Juliette” balcony looks adorable, but, I wouldn’t want to be hanging out on there, breathing in all that pollution from the street.😖