Why is there no Tiny House community in Jacksonville?

[rls929]

I understand tiny houses are controversial because they (gasp) deprive developers the right to make a huge profit, but, whatever happened to the United States being a free country based on an individual's right to 'pursue happiness' as enshrined in our founding documents?  Every subdivision being built in Jacksonville is full of 3 and 4 bedroom houses priced at a quarter million dollars and up?  I mean, where are all the little people supposed to live, or should anyone making less than high-five or six-figure incomes just disappear?  I don't understand how there is no affordable housing near the University of North Florida.  How can you expect university students and others on a fixed income to afford $1000 to $1500 a month rents while financing an education?  I know that this is a rant, but, c'mon, the lack of quality affordable housing in Jacksonville (in safe areas) is scarce.  Moreover, most housing is designed with families in mind, not for singles, or people who live alone.  With our low population density and available land, we should be able to provide housing for all people of modest income, without making it hurt their pocket books.  What do you all think?  Is Jacksonville on the right track in this dept?   

[aldermanparklover]

I understand tiny houses are controversial because they (gasp) deprive developers the right to make a huge profit, but, whatever happened to the United States being a free country based on an individual's right to 'pursue happiness' as enshrined in our founding documents?  Every subdivision being built in Jacksonville is full of 3 and 4 bedroom houses priced at a quarter million dollars and up?  I mean, where are all the little people supposed to live, or should anyone making less than high-five or six-figure incomes just disappear?  I don't understand how there is no affordable housing near the University of North Florida.  How can you expect university students and others on a fixed income to afford $1000 to $1500 a month rents while financing an education?  I know that this is a rant, but, c'mon, the lack of quality affordable housing in Jacksonville (in safe areas) is scarce.  Moreover, most housing is designed with families in mind, not for singles, or people who live alone.  With our low population density and available land, we should be able to provide housing for all people of modest income, without making it hurt their pocket books.  What do you all think?  Is Jacksonville on the right track in this dept?

We just bought a very nice 3 bedroom, 1600+ ftsq and our mortgage (after homestead exemption) is about $720/mo - our mortgage would be cheaper but the taxes in Arlington are high compared to nice areas on the westside that we looked at. (same house in westside would be about $620/mo)

So if you try to buy instead of rent, you might be better off.

OR you could buy a boat and try to find a live aboard marina - I'm too new here to know of any affordable ones - expect about $7-10/ft /mo of boat for rent + utilities for a live aboard slip

[Adam White]

I understand tiny houses are controversial because they (gasp) deprive developers the right to make a huge profit, but, whatever happened to the United States being a free country based on an individual's right to 'pursue happiness' as enshrined in our founding documents?  Every subdivision being built in Jacksonville is full of 3 and 4 bedroom houses priced at a quarter million dollars and up?  I mean, where are all the little people supposed to live, or should anyone making less than high-five or six-figure incomes just disappear?  I don't understand how there is no affordable housing near the University of North Florida.  How can you expect university students and others on a fixed income to afford $1000 to $1500 a month rents while financing an education?  I know that this is a rant, but, c'mon, the lack of quality affordable housing in Jacksonville (in safe areas) is scarce.  Moreover, most housing is designed with families in mind, not for singles, or people who live alone.  With our low population density and available land, we should be able to provide housing for all people of modest income, without making it hurt their pocket books.  What do you all think?  Is Jacksonville on the right track in this dept?

I think tiny houses are a dumb fad that will die off in time. When I've watched Tiny House Nation (I think that's the name of the show), I see people who are going to be really bummed out in about six months' time.

Tiny houses could work for some people, but they are not a practical solution for most people. But if that's your thing, then have at it! I find some of them very interesting and I will freely admit that there is something intriguing or compelling about them - but I also understand that I need more space and having lived in plenty of tiny apartments, etc, it's just not for me. Plus, I'm 6'6".

Anyway - as far as your other point goes, it's a shame that you are struggling to find a house. Maybe the USA is supposed to be a free country based on an individual's right to pursue happiness, but that simply means you get to choose your happiness from what the market provides. That's capitalism - this is not being offered as a critique of capitalism, btw - and if developers see more money in building a certain type of house or houses, then they will. They won't build what the market won't support. But you certainly could buy some land and build your own house (or have a builder do it for you).

Where I live, they do a thing called "shared ownership". If you qualify, you can buy a new property (a one-bedroom, in your case) - but you would get a mortgage for 25% and the other 75% would be owned by the housing association (and you'd pay rent). Over time, you can increase your share of ownership and eventually own the whole thing, should you choose to.

[coredumped]

There is, they're called trailer parks

[strider]

Actually as COJ is beginning meetings about a revamp of the zoning code, the idea of tiny houses was talked about.  As well as the extending of the right to have garage apartments, ETC.  Of course some really dumb things are going to be discussed as well, but at least some cool things are being included.

[Adam White]

There is, they're called trailer parks

That's funny! Since so many seem to be built on trailers, they're basically trailers for people who don't want to admit they live in a trailer. That said, some of them are pretty cool.

[TimmyB]

There is, they're called trailer parks

That's funny! Since so many seem to be built on trailers, they're basically trailers for people who don't want to admit they live in a trailer. That said, some of them are pretty cool.

We own a 36 ft. 5th-wheel, which is more or less permanently located at a campground that my daughter and her husband run up in Michigan.  We will use that when we travel back there to see family for a couple of months each year.  This "tiny home" thing really intrigued us, until we realized the point that you just made.  They simply are really (sometimes, REALLY) cool trailers.  That said, I don't need to spend $50K (or more) on a trailer.  If I'm going to spend that kind of money, it's going to have an engine and be able to be driven around the country!

[Adam White]

There is, they're called trailer parks

That's funny! Since so many seem to be built on trailers, they're basically trailers for people who don't want to admit they live in a trailer. That said, some of them are pretty cool.

We own a 36 ft. 5th-wheel, which is more or less permanently located at a campground that my daughter and her husband run up in Michigan.  We will use that when we travel back there to see family for a couple of months each year.  This "tiny home" thing really intrigued us, until we realized the point that you just made.  They simply are really (sometimes, REALLY) cool trailers.  That said, I don't need to spend $50K (or more) on a trailer.  If I'm going to spend that kind of money, it's going to have an engine and be able to be driven around the country!

Some seem really small. I can see maybe living in one alone, but I couldn't ever do it with another person. And no thanks - I don't want to live with a composting toilet.

Beyond that, I think I'm probably too messy to live in a place where I have to put everything back exactly where it goes before I can do something else.

[acme54321]

I understand tiny houses are controversial because they (gasp) deprive developers the right to make a huge profit, but, whatever happened to the United States being a free country based on an individual's right to 'pursue happiness' as enshrined in our founding documents?  Every subdivision being built in Jacksonville is full of 3 and 4 bedroom houses priced at a quarter million dollars and up?  I mean, where are all the little people supposed to live, or should anyone making less than high-five or six-figure incomes just disappear?  I don't understand how there is no affordable housing near the University of North Florida.  How can you expect university students and others on a fixed income to afford $1000 to $1500 a month rents while financing an education?  I know that this is a rant, but, c'mon, the lack of quality affordable housing in Jacksonville (in safe areas) is scarce.  Moreover, most housing is designed with families in mind, not for singles, or people who live alone.  With our low population density and available land, we should be able to provide housing for all people of modest income, without making it hurt their pocket books.  What do you all think?  Is Jacksonville on the right track in this dept?

If you have a problem with developers you'll basically have to act as your own.  Go out and find an empty lot, have someone draw up plans for your tiny house, get bids on construction.  You'd probably be shocked at the price.  I'm talking about an tiny actual house, not a glorified travel trailer.

As far as no affordable housing in Jacksonville?  There are plenty of places that are affordable, even close to UNF.  Are they going to be your dream home?  No.  Will they get the job done?  Yes.  Line up a couple of room mates and go find a small house for rent.  It can be done.  Even considering places that are $1000-1500 a month rent while going to school is absurd unless you have multiple room mates to split that cost.   

[TimmyB]

There is, they're called trailer parks

That's funny! Since so many seem to be built on trailers, they're basically trailers for people who don't want to admit they live in a trailer. That said, some of them are pretty cool.

We own a 36 ft. 5th-wheel, which is more or less permanently located at a campground that my daughter and her husband run up in Michigan.  We will use that when we travel back there to see family for a couple of months each year.  This "tiny home" thing really intrigued us, until we realized the point that you just made.  They simply are really (sometimes, REALLY) cool trailers.  That said, I don't need to spend $50K (or more) on a trailer.  If I'm going to spend that kind of money, it's going to have an engine and be able to be driven around the country!

Some seem really small. I can see maybe living in one alone, but I couldn't ever do it with another person. And no thanks - I don't want to live with a composting toilet.

Beyond that, I think I'm probably too messy to live in a place where I have to put everything back exactly where it goes before I can do something else.

And, you watch these shows, where the parents are forcing their kids to live like this, 5 or 6 people in a place with ZERO privacy!  YIKES!!!

[aldermanparklover]

There is, they're called trailer parks

Bwuahahahahahaha 

[aldermanparklover]

There is, they're called trailer parks

That's funny! Since so many seem to be built on trailers, they're basically trailers for people who don't want to admit they live in a trailer. That said, some of them are pretty cool.

We own a 36 ft. 5th-wheel, which is more or less permanently located at a campground that my daughter and her husband run up in Michigan.  We will use that when we travel back there to see family for a couple of months each year.  This "tiny home" thing really intrigued us, until we realized the point that you just made.  They simply are really (sometimes, REALLY) cool trailers.  That said, I don't need to spend $50K (or more) on a trailer.  If I'm going to spend that kind of money, it's going to have an engine and be able to be driven around the country!

Some seem really small. I can see maybe living in one alone, but I couldn't ever do it with another person. And no thanks - I don't want to live with a composting toilet.

Beyond that, I think I'm probably too messy to live in a place where I have to put everything back exactly where it goes before I can do something else.

And, you watch these shows, where the parents are forcing their kids to live like this, 5 or 6 people in a place with ZERO privacy!  YIKES!!!

Yeah, it's called living in the city in NYC - they live like rats there

[Adam White]

And, you watch these shows, where the parents are forcing their kids to live like this, 5 or 6 people in a place with ZERO privacy!  YIKES!!!

I know, right? Even when it's only one kid it seems extreme. Wait until that kid grows up a little bit more and doesn't fit into the custom space you made for him/her.