I'm in the process of researching alternatives to conventional housing. It's a fascinating area to research. The alternatives, particularly with regard to new building systems and modes of living, are available at reasonable cost. The road blocks in the way are breaking with tradition/mindset and filling the gap with regard to rent seeking revenues both public and private, but mostly public in the form of property taxes.
I see us being on the cusp of a change in attitudes and the way we value housing.
I had a colleague at a previous job who was living in a boat. He once told me tnat the costs to rent a place in the harbour, to maintain the boat and the utilities were about 400 euros/month, which is about the rent he'd pay for a small studio in Barcelona. The rents arec cheaper there but maybe in New York or San Francisco one can save lots of money like that.
Exactly, it 'sounds' like fun. Years ago I had a colleague who did this. He tried to make it work and finally gave up. He did it to try and save money, so his sail boat was on the smallish side and everything he did ended up being a chore.
I see us being on the cusp of a change in attitudes and the way we value housing.