Micro-Apartments Could Be Hazardous to Your Mental Health

observer.com ^ | 12/20 5:13pm | Vincent Mancuso

[BenLurkin]

Even though Mayor Michael Bloomberg has championed the micro-unit, some experts are concerned that living in 250 to 370 feet spaces could be risky.

“Sure, these micro-apartments may be fantastic for young professionals in their 20’s,” Dak Kopec, director of design for human health at Boston Architectural College, told The Atlantic. “But they definitely can be unhealthy for older people, say in their 30’s and 40’s, who face different stress factors that can make tight living conditions a problem.”

According to Mr. Kopec, the space-saving trend of tiny apartments can lead to increased claustrophobia, domestic abuse, and alcoholism.

[chaosagent]

Not sure what the problem is. My wife and I just finished up our 6th year of living and traveling full-time in our 40ft motor coach RV, and we couldn’t be happier.

We have about 340 sq. ft of living space plus storage bins underneath. In this space we have a queen-size bed, washer-dryer, a double door refrigerator, full kitchen, large sofa, and a computer work area.

All the comforts of home.

[dalereed]

“If you are single an apartment like that is ok no matter what your age.”

You’re nuts!!!

[outofsalt]

It’s not the micro-house killing folks its the macro-density of the urban environment. Crowds are dangerous.
Crowds kill.

[Tax-chick]

I like your new graphics.

[Oratam]

I could do without half the clutter. Otherwise, not bad for a single guy in his 20s.

[SamAdams76]

I would have loved a micro-apartment when I was single. Easy to keep clean with no fuss. Good excuse not to have the parents over (no space) but cozy enough to take a woman and bottle of wine home to.

Now that I'm married however, I need all the extra space and privacy I can get!

[wintertime]

I grew up in the Kensington area of Philadelphia. Our row home was just 12 feet wide. My parents, two brother, and I thought this was completely normal. My girlfriends families had siblings of 4, 5, and 6 kids.

How did we ever survive?

[wintertime]

Love that tear drop! Very elegant!

[Ditter]

I grew up in Houston Texas without air conditioning and I thought that was perfectly normal too.

I like the new normal better even if it costs a bundle.

[darkwing104]

Thanks

[wintertime]

Well....I certainly agree. As I am typing here, my husband and I ( sole occupants of our home) are surrounded by 2,100 sq. ft. of air conditioned comfort in the summer and modern ( non-coal burning) heating in the winter.

My dad, every morning when he woke up, started the coal burning furnace in the basement of our Philadelphia home. It was a sooty mess.

[sheana]

We have a 40 ft sailboat that is bigger than those apartments. Our boat is the perfect livaboard. Pretty close to the neighbors but the view is fantastic. And yes I could live aboard on it.
I tell everyone.......anything ever happens to hubby you will find me living on our boat.

[KGeorge]

How lucky you are, sheana! I imagine that storms could be pretty stressful, but the majority of the time- perfect peace.

[bravo whiskey]

my workshop with model stash is bigger than that

[sheana]

Absolutely love it. Was on board my neighbors decorated boat for the Parade of Lights last night then cruised the Ventura Keys to look at the lights/decorations. Woke up this morning to a sea lion barking right at the swim step. To me it is the perfect life. ;)

[KGeorge]

:-D I was thinking about that. I really love them lit up.
I just can’t thinking of anything more soothing than the sound of water against a hull, piling, or bulkhead. lol I’m not sure I wouldn’t just try to shut the world out if I were in your situation. Or take off & not come back.

[firebrand]

I like the way Drudge presented the headline about this, with a picture of mansions right underneath. He does that a lot with photos—cracks me up.

[firebrand]

Depends on the crowd. We had carolers outside the Cuban-Chinese place this evening. They drew a great crowd.

[sheana]

Haha funny story about my neighbor who lives on his 35 ft Yorktown. Every year the marina has a summer bbq and they give away prizes. One of the prizes is a couple of nights in one of the apartments the marina keeps by the clubhouse for guests to rent. They have a mini kitchen, bedroom and full bathroom with a bathtub and since most boats don’t have bathtubs the win is coveted.lol Anyway he won and went up to spend his nights there. I saw him the next morning and he told me he went up, showered, laid on the bed and watched tv for awhile but couldn’t sleep so went back to the boat. I asked why he couldn’t sleep and he said.....cause it didn’t move!! rofl. He needed to be rocked to sleep. haaaaaaarrrr!!

[KGeorge]

LOL I can believe it. There’s no place like home.
Merry Christmas, sheana!