4 ms·

Ah, the difference between Europe and America. Here, a 300-400sqft single-bedroom apartmant would be considered standard and suitable for a single or 2-person

by senko 6y ago

Ah, the difference between Europe and America. Here, a 300-400sqft single-bedroom apartmant would be considered standard and suitable for a single or 2-person household with median income. A two-bedroom 500-600 sqft apt would be considered just fine for most families with 1 or two kids (esp. if those kids are same gender or while they're small). Anything above that gets you into upper-middle class or above. Alternatively, a 4-member family with two minimum incomes could get by with 400sqft (it'd be cramped but wouldn't be considered outrageously small). The difference is also that these are almost exclusively in an apartment building, where your neighbours help insulate you from the elements, resulting in lower heating/cooling costs. I'm amazed whenever I read an article mentioning home sizes in the States (or in this case Canada) and have to double-check whether my sqft<->m2 conversion is okay because I can't believe how much more room is considered "normal" over there. Tiny homes wouldn't solve the housing crises, but looking across the pond, I'm thinking it'd still be a boon for low-wage earners. I know I'd rather be in my own 200sqft than have to pay off huge mortgage or rent a 600sqft of "wasted" space. Even if I prefer or have to rent, smaller units would be cheaper, while still more expensive per sqft, in theory netting the landlord more profit for the same apt. complex. Sounds like a win/win, what am I missing?

cammikebrown 6y ago
600? Ha! The average new home sale last year in the US was over 2,300 square feet. https://www.census.gov/construction/chars/highlights.html https://www.census.gov/construction/chars/highlights.html My current place is 650 square feet and I’m looking to downsize. The problem is, the prices tend to stay static, even if you want a smaller place.
MattGaiser 6y ago
> Here, a 300-400sqft single-bedroom apartmant would be considered standard and suitable for a single or 2-person household with median income. A two-bedroom 500-600 sqft apt would be considered just fine for most families with 1 or two kids (esp. if those kids). Anything above that gets you into upper-middle class or above. Alternatively, a 4-member family with two minimum incomes could get by with 400sqft (it'd be cramped but wouldn't be considered outrageously small). As a Canadian, that seems like so little space. In university, I rented a condo with my brother and it was 900 sqft for two. I have considered what kind of property I would want for my first and 1100 sqft is probably what I would buy and my family might convince me to buy a full fledged detached (1900 sqft). Keep in mind that neither sqft figure counts any basement space. My parents have 1900 sqft and find that cramped with work from home.
benmller313 6y ago
Are you exaggerating or is it really normal for a family of 4 to live in a 500 sqft apartment? This seems impossibly tiny to me.
- senko 6y ago
  Depends on the floor plan: 500 would be on the "cramped" side for 4, 600 should be just fine. The "trick" here is that all the rooms (& bathroom, kitchen, etc) are small and well though out so you really use up most of the space - basically the "empty" space would only be there if neccesary for movement. Here's a quick example (~430sqft not counting the balcony): https://www.njuskalo.hr/image-w920x690/nekretnine/rudes-jablanska-trosobni-stan-1-kat-53m2-projekt-slika-134835011.jpg https://www.njuskalo.hr/image-w920x690/nekretnine/rudes-jabl... This would be okay while the kids are small, and having an extra ~100sqft would add another room for the other kid, or have larger kids' room. So yeah - fascinating to compare the expectations on both sides of the pond.
laurencerowe 6y ago
Many new build US apartments though large in floor area seem to be really poorly designed. When I first moved to the US I lived in an ~800 sqft 1 bedroom apartment. A deep dark cave with windows on only one smaller side. It was so much worse than the 1970s ~600 sqft 2 bedroom apartment I had previously lived in in England. While smaller, the two bed apartment felt larger since it had separate rooms, not just a bedrooom, bathroom and a single large open plan area.
908B64B197 6y ago
European cities are much denser. A small apartment doesn't sound so bad when there's exceptional public transit right at the door and well maintained and safe public parks.

by senko 6y ago

cammikebrown 6y ago

600? Ha! The average new home sale last year in the US was over 2,300 square feet. https://www.census.gov/construction/chars/highlights.html https://www.census.gov/construction/chars/highlights.html My current place is 650 square feet and I’m looking to downsize. The problem is, the prices tend to stay static, even if you want a smaller place.

MattGaiser 6y ago

> Here, a 300-400sqft single-bedroom apartmant would be considered standard and suitable for a single or 2-person household with median income. A two-bedroom 500-600 sqft apt would be considered just fine for most families with 1 or two kids (esp. if those kids). Anything above that gets you into upper-middle class or above. Alternatively, a 4-member family with two minimum incomes could get by with 400sqft (it'd be cramped but wouldn't be considered outrageously small). As a Canadian, that seems like so little space. In university, I rented a condo with my brother and it was 900 sqft for two. I have considered what kind of property I would want for my first and 1100 sqft is probably what I would buy and my family might convince me to buy a full fledged detached (1900 sqft). Keep in mind that neither sqft figure counts any basement space. My parents have 1900 sqft and find that cramped with work from home.

benmller313 6y ago

Are you exaggerating or is it really normal for a family of 4 to live in a 500 sqft apartment? This seems impossibly tiny to me.

senko 6y ago
Depends on the floor plan: 500 would be on the "cramped" side for 4, 600 should be just fine. The "trick" here is that all the rooms (& bathroom, kitchen, etc) are small and well though out so you really use up most of the space - basically the "empty" space would only be there if neccesary for movement. Here's a quick example (~430sqft not counting the balcony): https://www.njuskalo.hr/image-w920x690/nekretnine/rudes-jablanska-trosobni-stan-1-kat-53m2-projekt-slika-134835011.jpg https://www.njuskalo.hr/image-w920x690/nekretnine/rudes-jabl... This would be okay while the kids are small, and having an extra ~100sqft would add another room for the other kid, or have larger kids' room. So yeah - fascinating to compare the expectations on both sides of the pond.

laurencerowe 6y ago

Many new build US apartments though large in floor area seem to be really poorly designed. When I first moved to the US I lived in an ~800 sqft 1 bedroom apartment. A deep dark cave with windows on only one smaller side. It was so much worse than the 1970s ~600 sqft 2 bedroom apartment I had previously lived in in England. While smaller, the two bed apartment felt larger since it had separate rooms, not just a bedrooom, bathroom and a single large open plan area.

908B64B197 6y ago

European cities are much denser. A small apartment doesn't sound so bad when there's exceptional public transit right at the door and well maintained and safe public parks.