The Harsh Reality Of Living in a Container Home (1 Year Review)

Summary

In this video, a couple reflects on their experience living in a 40ft shipping container home for over a year. They share five key challenges they faced, including limited space for guests, structural issues from the house's movement, storage struggles after downsizing, connectivity problems due to the metal structure, and the need for personal space in a compact environment. Despite these drawbacks, they emphasize their love for their unique home and the positive aspects of tiny living, highlighting lessons learned and their plans for the future.

Takeaways

• 🏠 Living in a shipping container home has its challenges, especially regarding space and guest accommodations.
• 🚪 The home's layout includes pocket doors, which can restrict hanging items and affect temperature control.
• 🧱 Structural issues can arise from moving a pre-built home, leading to problems like cracking tiles and settling.
• 📦 Storage is a significant concern when downsizing from a larger home to a compact space like a shipping container.
• 📶 Cell phone and Wi-Fi signals can be weak inside a metal container, necessitating strategic placement of hotspots.
• ❄️ Heating and cooling can be uneven, requiring additional units to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the home.
• 🕷️ The design can attract pests, especially if the home is close to the ground, creating a challenging living environment.
• 🤝 Personal space can be limited in a tiny home, making it important to find ways to coexist without stepping on each other's toes.
• 💡 Downsizing requires careful consideration of what to keep and what to replace with more functional alternatives.
• ❤️ Despite the challenges, the homeowners love their shipping container home and appreciate the positives of tiny living.

Q & A

What is the size and layout of the shipping container home described in the video?

The shipping container home is a 40ft high cube, featuring one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room, all within 320 square feet.

What issue do the homeowners face regarding accommodating guests?

They struggle to find space for guests, particularly during holidays when family comes to visit, as there is not enough room to accommodate everyone.

What structural problems arose after moving the shipping container home?

After the move, they experienced damage such as cracking tiles and flooring issues due to settling. They also faced difficulties hanging cabinets without damaging hidden water and electrical lines.

How did downsizing from a larger home impact the homeowners?

The transition from a 1,400 sq ft home to a 320 sq ft container was challenging, leading to difficulties in storage and the need to rethink their appliances, such as replacing a microwave with a combined microwave and convection oven.

What connectivity issues did the homeowners encounter?

Living in a metal container interfered with cell phone and Wi-Fi signals, necessitating the placement of a hotspot in a window to maintain connectivity and requiring them to use Wi-Fi calling for their phones.

What heating and cooling challenges did the couple face?

Initially, the air conditioning was only in the bedroom, leading to temperature disparities across the home when doors were closed. They resolved this by installing a second mini-split unit in the living room.

What problems arose from the layout of the shipping container home?

The linear layout of the home made it difficult to navigate personal space, especially during busy mornings when both were getting ready for work, leading to moments of frustration.

What adjustments have the homeowners considered for their living situation?

They have thought about expanding their living space or trying a different type of tiny home in the future, but they are currently content with their shipping container home.

What is the homeowners' overall sentiment about living in a shipping container home?

Despite the challenges they faced, the couple still loves living in their shipping container home and appreciates the positives, indicating that the drawbacks do not outweigh their enjoyment.

How have the homeowners expressed their gratitude to their viewers?

They have thanked their viewers for their support and expressed their enjoyment in creating and sharing videos about their experiences living in a shipping container home.