Related: I've been coming to the hypothesis that the current renaissance in "tiny homes" (that are trailers, and whose owners are glamorized and settings hyped up but are often parked in trailer parks) comes from a need for a sense of community and ownership amongst a demographic that has no real hope of affording membership in a traditional community. In watching real estate as closely as I do, the language used around trailer parks is invariably predatory. I'd really like to see the entire premise of "trailer parks" remade. Much as I rag on "tiny homes" this is an attempt at doing just that. And as housing prices go up, that's exactly what happens. Friend of mine almost bought into Tahitian Terrace: His "rent" would have been $1200 a month. But then, he would have had to have bought a $350k house in order to pay that rent.
I have a few random thoughts. I'll see if I can find a way to connect them or develop them into something more concrete while I do chores. They are though . . . 1) A $100k+ house is a scary and seemingly unreasonable financial commitment when the current job market is murky at best and the future job market is completely unpredictable due to econimics, automation, big businesses trimming the fat every year. 2) A 20-30 year mortgage is also scary and seemingly unreasonable for the reasons stated above. 3) Rent is getting out of control and reading comments here and there online I think there might be a growing trend in people being concerned that landlords are caring less and less about tenants rights. 3b) I wonder if there are historical parallels with the erosion of workers' rights. 4) Everyone seems to really like the idea of moving around (me included, even though I'm actually fairly anchored in place due to life reasons) and things like mortgages and leases clash against this desire to be mobile. 5) Every last wall of my tiny home would have to be a bookcase. 6) The wife and I have entertained the idea of living in a mobile park. I've had friends who have lived in them and their experiences are largely positive. I think if we did go in that direction, we would much prefer a situation like the one described in the article.