Thinking big, living small: how people across Asia cope with tiny homes
- Tight accommodation is a harsh reality for many residents of Asian cities where population density is high
- Four tiny home dwellers offer their thoughts on living small
SEOUL
Jang Dae-ik, 27, chief financial officer
Jang lives in a 356 sq ft studio apartment near Dangsan station in central Seoul. Built in 2013, the flat costs about 120 million won (US$100,500). Jang has given his landlord a 180 million won deposit under Korea’s unique jeonse, or “key money”, leasing system. The lump sum, usually between 50 and 80 per cent of the property’s value, is handed over instead of monthly rent, and the full amount is returned when the tenant moves out, meaning the owner makes money from the interest collected during the rental period.
“It would be better if the space were bigger, but I think it’s quite ideal for someone living alone like me. And since it’s in a central location, I have the parks and restaurants nearby. It’s very convenient,” Jang says. “I will probably move to a bigger place once I get married, but I don’t have any plan to find roommates to live in a bigger place … My flat is much more comfortable.”
HONG KONG
Andrea Mak, mid-30s, office worker, and James Tan, late 30s
Couple Mak and Tan live in a 400 sq ft one-bedroom flat in Tsuen Wan which they bought last year for HK$6.8 million (US$867,300).
“I’m a minimalist, I have only four drawers in which I keep my clothes,” Mak says. “But my home is still too small. I can endure a flat this size only because we just got married … Places like Singapore are more humane – the net size is bigger than that of Hong Kong flats, and more affordable.”
Mak adds that as husband Tan is a Singaporean, they plan to move to the Southeast Asian city state if they have children, so the family can enjoy a more comfortable and spacious living space.
SINGAPORE
Wendy Chin, 30s, marketing professional
Chin bought her one-bedroom 463 sq ft private apartment at Parc Elegance Condominium in 2016 for S$593,000 (US$429,670).
“I bought it because it was really close to where my parents live,” she says, adding that she opted for a smaller apartment.
Her development was completed six years ago at a time when many Singaporeans were buying second homes, she says. The marketing professional lives there with her husband, Immanuel Roszini, a photographer in his 40s.
Muji, Marie Kondo, and Asia’s tiny house movement
“[This apartment] is a lot cheaper. Three-room apartments at that time went for about S$1.2 million. If we expand [our family], we intend to buy or rent another apartment and sell this one.”
Chin has always seen the flat as an investment. “And even though the space is small, I am still able to invite friends round. We’ve had parties here for five or six.”
Karyn Wong, 30s, social media manager
Wong lives in a one-bedroom, 340 sq ft flat at Haig Court Condominium which her father bought “at a preferential rate” for about S$600,000. She lives with her husband Tan Geng Yan, an account manager who is also in his 30s.
“Before we got married, we were staying at [Tan’s] house. His house is a three-room flat and we had this utility room, which was really small, and that helped us to get used to living in a small space,” Wong says. The couple are waiting for the completion of their built-to-order flat, which will be ready in 2021.
“A small space actually helps us in starting our life as a couple,” Tan says. “[It’s] easier, for a good start for us, to learn how to live together and manage the workload and things like that. We did not plan to live here initially, and it turned out quite well,” he says, adding that he sees it as a learning journey.
BANGKOK
Tuu Buasuwan (pseudonym), 33, sales representative
The Bangkok resident bought a 452 sq ft one-bedroom unit in an 11-year-old building two years ago for 2.3 million baht (US$75,000). The property is in the Thai capital’s central business district.
“I am comfortable in my place, it’s big enough for me … Living in a prime area like this costs more than double [what it would cost me to be] living 30 minutes away.
“For Thai millennials, their living situation depends on whether they have moved to the city from outside Bangkok … If so, then they will likely live alone. If they grew up in Bangkok, they usually live with family.” ■
