Let's hope this never happens in Houston (San Diego: apartments, hotel)

[jek74]

San Francisco Supervisors Approve 220 Square Foot Apartments « CBS San Francisco

Again, I know people get upset when I keep harping on this, but this is exactly what I'm talking about when discussing quality of life. These 220 sq foot apartments are going to go for $1500 a month! Some of you guys have bathrooms bigger then that. Yes, SF is beautiful and the arts and the people and all that. But I would be absolutely miserable living in a closet and still paying $1500 a month. Yeah I know, the weather is great.

[DJboutit]

In Asia 750sqft apts are standard and they are all high rises so 220sqft is one room for the bed kitchen and den/living area and then a small separate bathroom $1500 now that is the real killer. Here in Houston these apts would be going for like $500 to $650 a month

[DanielWayne]

But doesn't humpback whales make up for it? I keed I keed!

That SF apt sounds miserable. I'm not even aware of anything comparable to it in Houston.

[a_guerrajr]

Has to be a cali thing.

[astrohip]

The great thing about Houston is we have a (mostly) market economy. IF (big if) there is a demand for a closet-sized apartment, then yes, let's build 'em. If not, then we won't.

Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it doesn't make sense for others (and I'm not picking on you). In SF, land is at a premium, const costs are high and the COL is higher, and a 220 sqft apt must have *some* interest to someone. Here, with relatively cheap land (although that's disappearing inside the loop) and lower const costs, it makes no sense.

But let the market decide.

[newton22]

How big is the average single bed hotel room (including bathroom, closets etc.)?

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by jek74

San Francisco Supervisors Approve 220 Square Foot Apartments « CBS San Francisco

Again, I know people get upset when I keep harping on this, but this is exactly what I'm talking about when discussing quality of life. These 220 sq foot apartments are going to go for $1500 a month! Some of you guys have bathrooms bigger then that. Yes, SF is beautiful and the arts and the people and all that. But I would be absolutely miserable living in a closet and still paying $1500 a month. Yeah I know, the weather is great.

It's called "supply and demand"
They wouldn't come up with that and put a price tag of $1500/month if people weren't willing to pay for it.

It would suck to live there,
but I guarantee that the owner of that building would NEVER move to Texas with the kind of money he's gonna make on that building.

[jek74]

Originally Posted by Dopo

It's called "supply and demand"
They wouldn't come up with that and put a price tag of $1500/month if people weren't willing to pay for it.

It would suck to live there,
but I guarantee that the owner of that building would NEVER move to Texas with the kind of money he's gonna make on that building.

Of course there is demand. When one bedroom apartments are going for 3k a month, then there is naturally going to be demand at 1500. And you're right, the owner of that building who is probably worth millions will most certainly stay there. As will anyone who is worth millions which is why I always emphasize the "middle class" when making comparisons! Look, if this makes you feel any better, if my net worth was 10 million plus, I would choose CA over TX 100 times out of a 100. I would probably choose San Diego over San Fran. But if you want to play the fantasy game, then sure, Cali it is. While we are at it, give me a live in super model girl friend as well. Why not right?

[crone]

When you are gone most of the time and only need a dwelling for sleeping and getting dressed, why would you want a lot of space?

Folks in California spend a lot of time outside. A single person who works 10 hours a day and then has dinner out, with friends is the target market.

An recent article in the Chronicle informed us that somebody is going to build an apartment building downtown Houston smallish units and several thousand a month rent.

I couldn't stand it. My kitchen is twice the size of one of those apartments. But then, I never go outside in Houston. The air is so bad most of the time it is hard to breathe.

[jek74]

Originally Posted by crone

When you are gone most of the time and only need a dwelling for sleeping and getting dressed, why would you want a lot of space?

Folks in California spend a lot of time outside. A single person who works 10 hours a day and then has dinner out, with friends is the target market.

An recent article in the Chronicle informed us that somebody is going to build an apartment building downtown Houston smallish units and several thousand a month rent.

I couldn't stand it. My kitchen is twice the size of one of those apartments. But then, I never go outside in Houston. The air is so bad most of the time it is hard to breathe.

Nope. I tried that. I lived in NY for two years. My first apartment was in Williamsburg, Brooklyn before it became this hip and cool area. I lived with two other guys. I forced myself NEVER to come home because I hated every minute in that apt. The result was I spent a king's ransom on going out and doing stuff and even then, I still had to come home at some point and when I did I wanted to kill myself. I HATED my life. It's the most demeaning thing in the world. It really makes you feel worthless. I did everything I could to leave that apt every chance I had. But what kind of life is that? I drove myself broke and felt like a criminal on the run. Like someone was staking out my apt and I couldn't be seen there. That's no way to live if you ask me.

What you say makes sense for a few days or even a week. I always use to stay in hostels when visiting large cities to save money. My friends thought I was being way too cheap. My argument was the same as yours, hey, I'll never be there. And sure enough, that logic worked if you are visiting for a few days and you really won't be there. But to live every day of my life like that? No freaking way. Seriously, I know it makes sense to you on paper, my only advice is to actually try it and get back to me. The reality is very different.