Remember when tiny homes were all the rage?
Well, move over tiny homes; it’s time for tiny apartments to shine!
The trend of downsizing isn’t just limited to houses on wheels in the countryside.
One man, in particular, has embraced the concept of “less is more” and taken it to an extreme in the heart of New York City.
Meet Luke Clark Tyler, a New York architect who’s living large in a 78-square-foot apartment.
Yes, you read that right—78 square feet! But here’s the kicker: he absolutely loves it.
Nestled in Manhattan’s bustling Hell’s Kitchen, Tyler pays $800 a month for his pint-sized palace.
Considering that the average studio in the area goes for around $1,900, Tyler’s rent might seem steep, but he’s not losing any sleep over it.
Now, not everyone is on board with Tyler’s lifestyle choice.
Critics argue that he’s paying way too much for way too little.
Mark Menendez, the director of rentals at Prudential Douglas Elliman, is one such skeptic.
According to Menendez, the average rental price per square foot for a studio in Hell’s Kitchen is $72.
Tyler, on the other hand, is shelling out nearly double that at $123.07 per square foot.
Menendez didn’t mince words when he said, “I think it’s too high. But again, it’s all relative.”
“Where can you find something for $800 in Manhattan? Location trumps value.”
And that’s the crux of the matter for Tyler.
For him, the convenience of living close to work outweighs the cost of the apartment.
Tyler’s rationale is simple: he values his time more than space.
He elaborated, “I was spending my life in a skyscraper and going underground, to work, and then back again.”
“I was missing out on anything New York had to offer.”
“If I had to choose spending time on a train or living in a small space, I’d choose a small space.”
Financially, Tyler could afford a larger apartment if he wanted to.
He’s gainfully employed and could easily stretch his budget.
But why would he?
He’d rather allocate that extra $800 towards other enriching experiences.
As he puts it, “I just rather use that extra $800 to do something else, like take classes or enjoy the city.”
This isn’t Tyler’s first experience into micro-living.
He previously resided in a slightly more spacious 96-square-foot apartment.
When it came to furnishing his current abode, Tyler spent a modest $200 on custom furniture, including a convertible couch-bed and built-in storage, making his small space both functional and cozy.
Interestingly, Tyler isn’t the only one opting for minimal square footage in his building.
There are other tiny apartments, but they’re mostly occupied by short-term renters or city visitors.
Tyler is the exception, choosing to make this his long-term home.
Tyler admits there are a few amenities he misses, like having a sink.
He nostalgically recalls, “A sink is really great. My last apartment had a sink; it was just awesome.”
But don’t count him out yet; he’s the kind of guy who might just figure out how to install a sink without compromising his minimalist aesthetic.
For now, Tyler is content with his lifestyle, and he even gave a virtual tour of his apartment on YouTube.
It was a brief tour, but then again, there’s not much ground to cover.
See his very unique tiny home tour in the video below!
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