(And Tiny Houses)

In my opinion, it would be OK for one person to live in a small space, but more than one - especially children who need space - could be damaging.

Size DOES matter: 'Micro-apartments' linked to psychological problems, domestic violence and drug abuse

[www.dailymail.co.uk]

"Can 'definitely be unhealthy' for people in their 30s and 40s

Crowding-relating stress, like the type that may be caused from living in small apartments, can increase rates of domestic violence and substance abuse

Children in small units can be 'withdrawn,' have trouble concentrating

Micro-units may actually DRIVE UP prices...meaning renters spend the same money on studios they would have spent on a bigger place"

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The Health Risks of Small Apartments

Living in tiny spaces can cause psychological problems.

[www.theatlantic.com]

"New York City has a housing problem. Currently, it has 1.8 million one- and two-person households, and only one million studios and one-bedroom apartments. The obvious solution seems to be to develop more small residential units.

But how small is too small? Should we allow couples to move into a space the size of a suburban closet? Can a parent and child share a place as big as a hotel room?

But as New York City’s “micro-apartment” project inches closer to reality, experts warn that micro-living may not be the urban panacea we’ve been waiting for. For some residents, the potential health risks and crowding challenges might outweigh the benefits of affordable housing. And while the Bloomberg administration hails the tiny spaces as a “milestone for new housing models,” critics question whether relaxing zoning rules and experimenting with micro-design on public land will effectively address New York’s apartment supply problem in the long run.

The potential health risks and crowding challenges might outweigh the benefits of affordable housing."

Wow. Such a dystpian plan. Bloomberg seems to love stuff like that.

Bill de Blasio is the Mayor now, but he'll be worse than Bloomberg. In fact, I just saw this interesting article today regarding his first big move - getting rid of the Central Park Horses - which sounds great but is actually "following the money" "payback" "pay for play", etc. -- surprise, surprise....didn't take long to show his stripes..

De Blasio's Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban

[spectator.org]

"Mayor Bill de Blasio's promise to ban New York City's iconic horse-drawn carriages could backfire, exposing what the newly-elected mayor's critics suggest is a corruption scandal masquerading as an animal-rights crusade. Defenders of the carriage industry point to a real-estate executive who is one of de Blasio's major campaign donors as the driving force behind the effort to abolish the carriages."

Could This Be the Real Reason the New NYC Mayor Vowed to Ban Horse Carriages in NYC?

[www.theblaze.com]

"When New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced recently that he’d make banning the city’s horse-drawn carriages his first priority, a lot of people were left asking, “Really?”

Could This be the Reason De Blasio Decided to Go After Horse Carriages in NYC?
Indeed, for all the problems de Blasio claims the city struggles with, it would seem horse-drawn carriages would take a back seat. But they haven’t and he’s pursuing the ban.

And there may be a reason why: A major de Blasio campaign donor and real-estate executive may be tied up in the drive to banish the iconic carriages"

[money.cnn.com]


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Here are some little houses - which are cute because they're traditional rather than minimalistic.

[www.frontdoor.com]

[www.frontdoor.com]

[www.frontdoor.com]

[www.frontdoor.com]

Here is the most beautiful tiny house ever -

Dream of a Home Takes the Shape of a Victorian Retreat

[www.nytimes.com]

[www.nytimes.com]

[tinyhouseblog.com]

The apartment situation in Hong Kong is shocking -

When Are Micro-Apartments Just Way Too Micro? -

[www.theatlanticcities.com]


Shocking Aerial Photos Of Cramped Hong Kong Apartments Show Downside Of Tiny Home Living (PHOTOS)

[www.huffingtonpost.com]

Here's a bunch of Tiny Homes articles and photos -

[www.huffingtonpost.com]

Speaking of apartments - for those who like Celebrity Gossip -

Arianna Huffington Trashed Rented Chelsea Loft, Leaving Gouged Walls and a Bloodied Mattress, Claims Lawsuit

[www.nydailynews.com]

"Internet news queen Arianna Huffington partied so hard in her rented Chelsea loft she left it looking like a frat house, claims a lawsuit filed Monday by the furious landlord.

Filmmaker Eric Steel claims Huffington — president and top editor of the Huffington Post Media Group — promised she'd be the sole occupant of the sprawling, white-walled loft, custom designed by his famous architect father. But instead, she used the posh pad for frequent parties and allowed her daughters to crash there with friends — leaving gouged wood floors, candle stains on the steel window seats, and even a bloodied mattress."