This Japanese Micro-Apartment is Illegal in America

Would you live in a place this small? Its not a house in Ohio, but apartments like this might be the solution to housing affordability in American cities like New York, LA, Etc… And if its a profitable vacation rental at 60 a night, the monthlys are likely 1k or less.
Living Soul - Shiruky // Professional Dreamer - Matt large // New Growth - Sarah the Illstrumentalist // Copious - 91nova
Need Music? Get Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicso...
*Everything used to make this video*
[E-bike] lddy.no/1clto
[Camera] amzn.to/3VBWywO
[Mic] amzn.to/3ptHhz3
[Lens] amzn.to/3MZGmmF
[Handheld Tripod] amzn.to/3iUp3Ex
[Full Size Tripod] amzn.to/3cp2sty
[Lights] amzn.to/3izy3ic
Great news! If you make a purchase from any link above, my channel earns a small affiliate commission from the site.

[@vitanursantono]

I don't understand how renting out literal closet space for an exorbitant amount of money is legal in New York but this kind of very humane and livable space is illegal. Not to mention, it comes with your own kitchen and bathroom. Yeah they're small but they're yours only!

[@facedefacede1164]

And washing machine is an essential.

[@yeralmuzika]

Righhhttt!!!!!! America's building policies are retarded. Something I think America is struggling to grasp is that not everyone wants a big-a$$ house, not everyone wants a family..... But everyone deserves a comfortable home.... The NY closet space room is basically a prison cell when compared to this Japanese micro-apartment.

[@rebeccaa2433]

It's a click bait title

[@Artemis-jr3pz]

Three words: money in politics

[@czogg99]

Preach. ❤

[@americanpancakelive]

I think this little place is pretty amazing and you don't have to share a bathroom / shower like some tiny apartments in major cities in the US.

[@rebeccaa2433]

It's a good dorm room.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

USA bad this .Becouse is like comunis. Like give free 36m² home in ussr

[@mystica-subs]

I don't think most of those US situations should even be considered apartments, but more so single room occupancy dorms...

[@patriciapankow1774]

Japan's safety and cleanliness are amazing compared to the US. And considering the population.

[@platinumpepe8626]

Is that sarcasm? Maybe public cleanliness but these staircases are dangerous

[@slc1161]

Culturally, they are taught respect. And it’s pretty much one culture, vs. America.

[@IslemTav]

@@platinumpepe8626Is that sarcasm? Tell me how those stairs are more dangerous than many in the US, riddled with trash, cracks, drugs, and people up to no good? Please…

[@Name-so9ns]

yeah some in america would scream that it's intolerant and not inclusive or whatever but it's hard to argue with the quality of life there

[@Corvidlvt]

Please don’t get carried away by a typhoon!!

[@amandab8433]

Something like this would be AMAZING in University towns. We live in the SF Bay Area, and our daughter attends UCB. Student housing in Berkeley is either full, or waaaay too expensive for students to afford. Apartments like these would mean more students can afford to live in city without having to either couch surf, hide and try to sleep in unoccupied classrooms (yes that does happen quite frequently) , live in their cars, or have hellish commutes. It's that bad 😐.

[@ArariaKAgelessTraveller]

Sorry to burst your bubble but this kind of apartment won't exist in area with american average attitude

[@nefariouspersephone9447]

student loans being given out like candy is what makes it expensive. japan doesnt do that

[@nondescriptstraightwhitema6138]

I wish your daughter luck with her brainwashing❤

[@aprillillyrose7272]

that's how UK dorms are done, this room minus the kitchen with a shared kitvhen for 5-12 depending on price/ uni. But dorms like this are avaliable in places

[@ffwast]

@@nondescriptstraightwhitema6138 The poor girl was born in SF, it's already 18 years too late for her.

[@highlanderwins3328]

I could live in that apartment, no lie. I probably would get a loft bed, though, and use the space underneath for a work desk.

[@eileengabellini6935]

Solo it is doable

[@patjohnson1008]

You are so positive & upbeat ... I enjoy your critique of New York & now Japan😊

[@lindawarden-burglund9603]

I like that this little apartment has everything you need without having to have a roommate! Kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and bedroom all in one! I think I would use that little table as a tray table and sit on the bed to eat or work. I think the place needs a dresser. Then, I would put the microwave on top of that so I could use the stove, plus have a place to put my clothes. That would work for me, but I'm not sure how long I would be able to live anywhere that small! It would be a step up from some of the tiny "apartments" in NYC that are no bigger than a closet with a hot plate and no bathroom PLUS cost $1200/month! Thanks Cash! Can't wait for the next one!

[@deaniej2766]

Just store the TV and put the microwave where it is now. Most young people just stream on their computers now anyway.

[@lorainestjames4181]

I follow people with average incomes and how they live well in Japan and their apts are very much like you have displayed here and per month they average about $400 to $550 American, Like you have mentioned they are small but have everything you need and you do not have the stress of room mates. Thanks Cash, love your channel. Amazing how many choices there are for food in a small country with such a large population. The Western world should practice these methods for making life affordable for their average citizens .

[@pepsilove6306]

n thats if you want to live in a big big japanese city. you head out to ishinomaki or the countryside, those little apartments can be had for 150 to 300 depending on how 'modern' you want it. the building I lived in, the apartments had their own showers, but there was no toilet, each floor had 4 apartments and 2 hallway bathrooms, so the toilets where shared among the 4 apartments. but for the price, I didnt mind, especially because we all kept the shared hall bathrooms super clean.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

USA ban this .Becouse is like comunis. Like give free 36m² home in ussr

[@saifis]

I live in Tokyo and 600 USD got me 3 rooms and a living/dining area, was 54 square meters I think, it's not in the middle of tokyo but it was still 30 min train ride to Shinjuku, it was quite a ways from the station so you'd need to get a bus or bike to the station but I took more space.

[@nickorange4881]

yeah but they cant because the apartments get made by others and the laws of whats okay and what isnt gets made by others.

[@KingC89]

Too much diversity in the Western World for this to ever work there

[@darleneaitken1620]

This place has all you need, perhaps not what you want, but would be a blessing to many.

[@evieshore3270]

Oh I love the way you phrased that , and very true .

[@nickj12]

Well said

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

USA ban this .Becouse is like comunis. Like give free 36m² home in ussr 😊

[@levenaris]

To answer a few questions about the place/ explain why things are laid out like that. The shower space is a wet room-style shower, which is why the floor was wet! You sit there and shower/clean yourself before you go into the bath. Because you clean yourself before your bath, that water is clean and is reused for the washing machine. That's what the tap outside on the balcony was draining from. I love little places like these, it's so efficient. The phone above the bed is likely to be either the intercom or building security as there is only one button. If you happened to see any kanji that looks like this "非常" then it's for calling security

[@bloodmoon2345]

Great video. There is actually extra storage space under the bed, those are drawers I believe because I have the same type of bed. So you actually could do the bar counter + seat in that size of an apartment

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

USA ban this .Becouse is like comunis. Like give free 36m² home in ussr

[@BelbisIl]

That's what I tough!

[@liliaalvarado7040]

Loving your take on the Japannese tiny apartments. If you are going to Tokyo, would love a colab with Tokyo Lens. He actually interviews people living in the tiny apartments. You could get a new perspective and ideas for your own place.

[@lisaspikes4291]

I’m really enjoying these glimpses of apartments in Japan! It’s so fun! Can’t wait for the next one!❤

[@michellemarshall4411]

Agree ❤

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

USA ban this .Becouse is like comunis. Like give free 36m² home in ussr

[@debsylvester2012]

Cash- Great job! You are right- we need places like this in cities all across the US. Keep going!☮️👏👏👏👏

[@eileengabellini6935]

Agree. For limited income this is sweet❤

[@slickstretch6391]

I can personally vouch that living in a tiny apartment alone is better than living in a big house with room-mates.

[@belliott88]

Wait, Jordan’s in Japan right now?! Oh, i’m about to binge on all of these videos.

[@boneyn3661]

I lived in Japan for over a decade and this brought back a lot of memories. You did a great job of explaining things and your cluelessness of things is what I remember for myself back in the day 😂 Thank you, great video! Looking forward to many more!! Could you please mention the cost of the stays? Thank you.

[@auberjean6873]

I have always been impressed with the cleanliness, style, & ingenuity of Japanese homes. Thank you, Cash, for showing these tiny gems!

[@ThisWontEndWell]

Having done a lot of travelling for work I'd prefer to be in that place for a week or two than hotel life where you can't really get into a normal routine and relax.

[@fianorian]

With the addition of a wardrobe and maybe a comfy chair, that is a pretty functional space. It is at least self contained and I noticed you could hang clothes on the balcony (if you're not on a time constraint). It's smaller than a bedsit I once lived in, with the advantage of a private toilet and bathroom.

[@3Axel1996]

Instead of the twin bed, you get a futon which would be your comfy chair/sofa during the day and bed at night.

[@mamachicken1548]

It's so cool to see all of the tiny living places in Japan. My favorite so far was that older house one you stayed at the other day.

[@lisab.1595]

Me too.

[@RyuSensei42]

I lived in Japan for many years. That little door in the bathroom was where you store your toothbrush and anything else you don't want just lying around. The intercom phones were basically to answer the doorbell without having to open the door. It's a security thing. Don't want the NHK guy to find you. I'm surprised there were two of them as my full sized apartments only ever had one.

[@meggrotte4760]

I've lived in Taiwan. For twenty years but I also lived in Japan. I'm hoping to eventually go back to Japan Generally speaking it's a good place to live in work. I really enjoyed living in japan korea and Taiwan

[@warriorbard]

I think you can make more space if you got one of those bunk beds with a desk underneath it. That way, you have an actual dining table/workspace area. The abundance of natural light is a huge plus. Place sure is tiny though.

[@janeysiegrist5061]

Not to mention that in Japan you can find some very cool storage stairs to take you up to the loft bed.. kills 2 birbs with one stone

[@TudorCityGrrrl]

We have a small studio in nyc that came with a Murphy bed. When the bed is up, it has a nice sized table. Works great and a real mattress!

[@Scott-i9v2s]

Tiny ONLY for those used to larger spaces.

[@ae2948]

We used to raise these types of beds with cinderblocks or fames so we could store stuff underneath. This "apartment" has no storage.

[@Scott-i9v2s]

@@ae2948 Notice the under-bed storage. The answer to "Where do you put your stuff?" is simple: people who rent such apartments either cut down on "stuff" or have NO such "stuff" to start with. It is called "living within one's means", a mindset that differs from "I want MORE!".

[@bladibla1234]

Water heater? Sir, its called a kettle

[@ffwast]

Are you implying it doesn't heat water?

[@BamelaAnderson]

​@@ffwastKettle is the name of the thing that holds the water while the fire/heat heats the water...

[@DaedalusHelios]

An electric kettle. I use one every day in America.

[@cherveto]

the hatch on the balcony is the fire escape. The ferris wheel shaped building is a Don Quijote.

[@gailgilchrist5421]

I love the enthusiasm and humor that Cash brings to these videos!

[@psiga]

Over the past month, I've seen Japan vids from Cash and from Schlatt, who both approached the dim alleyways in Japan and immediately remarked that in New York this would be incredibly dangerous. Meanwhile, I'm a west-coast boy, who grew up in Newport Beach, which some magazine called "the jewel of Orange County," and yet its crime rate is still twice as bad as _the worst crime rate in Osaka!_

[@grandtheftautolabs3439]

This channel feels like it was always planning to level up to this but wanted to build a solid American community first. This is so cool and unusual, but like weirdly internet appropriate and just feels so right.

[@gloriagodfrey3899]

There may be storage drawers under the bed. Thanks. It is nice to see another country.

[@m0rla_]

I thought so too, right?

[@MrRob33]

I am ready for a full on family in Japan Vlog! I would watch Cash do a vlog on dumptruck maintance. He has personality for days❤

[@WANDERER0070]

Paolo in Tokyo has vids on that and more

[@Burnout3D]

Apartment and overall just property videos aren't my thing to watch on KZbin, but these Japanese apartment videos are kinda cool. I enjoy their style and how small, yet livable they are. The US certainly could use those types in certain cities. While I don't know too much about the Japanese, I do appreciate their work ethics and their ability to keep things clean. They have a culture I wish more Americans (including myself) would learn from. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these videos from Japan.

[@oscarmadison8530]

Yeah,but does it have a sink sprayer? 🤔😂😂😂😂

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

😂😂😂

[@xbman1]

Many things are illegal in America. For example. Having your own opinions that’s non compliant to the mass. 😂

[@TheDisquietingNight]

Its more hilarious that its also a Japan thing. For all their boast of superiority, America can be as bad as any other country

[@onemore5952]

The phone is a special line to call Japanese Santa and tell in advance what do you want for Xmas.

[@theoriginalbridgetconnors]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@zhisu2665]

the bar is so low but at least the bathroom is private, it's not terrible if you're not home much or don't have a lot of stuff.

[@Destructoglitch]

When I went to college I had a pretty small sized apartment. Main area was about 8ft by 20ft. Bathroom was very small (3ft by 9ft). Lack of elbow room in the shower was really, REALLY annoying. No washer, but I had alternatives for washing. My dresser didn't use much space at all, so I had more than enough room to have a full sized desk. Other than the bathroom, it worked out really well for me (Only $500 a month, with internet). Thankfully I was in a rural town so it wasn't crowded. I'm not a fan of big cities.

[@aPur3AznDud3]

theres very practically everything for a single-person's living in that space. cleaning, utilities of all types, small-scale furniture, bowls/cups/whatnot; and all of that with gentle decoration/color. it's most definitely not like the usual bed/tv/shower+soap/closet.

[@Sistafeed]

Loved this video and the Snoopy sleep shirt!

[@awesomeadamfrom2099]

Awesome job cash see you on Sunday

[@shejean]

In Providence, Rhode Island, inside The Arcade on Weybossett Ave.; which was once the oldest ‘mall’ in the U.S.; there are micro apartments upstairs with retail downstairs. The micro apartments are quite small…tiny, even. Check them out online. Edit: I just went into the website again. A 286 sq ft ‘condo’ sold for $137,000 USD! My kitchen in my 3-bedroom home is 240 sq ft!

[@marylivingstone9815]

I remember seeing a video on that place a couple of years back. I thought the whole idea was pretty cool. I thought at the time it was rentals only though. This would be a good idea for a lot of the “dying” malls in cities where you go in and only a couple of floors have open shops and above that, deserted.

[@Kymberlee_W]

@@marylivingstone9815 I can't remember where it was that I saw an old, defunct shopping mall had been turned into a small, enclosed town, all the apartments opened to the inside of the mall, there were no external windows - only windows that opened onto the inside of the mall. It was actually pretty cool and yep, it was in the USA. I was surprised at the ingenuity of using an old mall.

[@sandrashroyer2168]

Absolutely my favorite video. I love Japan. Great job always. From Pendleton OR

[@尹淑賢]

I love how he always pronounces it as TACK'O Yaki!🤣

[@NothingIsKnown00]

1: Replace the bed with a convertible couch. Get one with some room for storage underneath. 2. Put some storage on the wall above it. 3. Get rid of the floor lamp - get wall- or ceiling mounted light sources. 4. Slim wardrobe in the corner next to the balcony door.

[@Another_taco.Yes_please]

I love these videos. I have only stayed at the Hilton in Osaka so very interesting. These places are small but the Japanese are mostly tiny. I remember going to shopping centers and concerts and the view is clear above peoples heads :) The last conversation with my father before he passed was about our love of Japan. He was on the way to the Korean War and me on tour with some bands. Very nice to share stories.

[@auberjean6873]

@Another_taco. Yes_please My condolences on the loss of your father. May you celebrate his life by Living.

[@Another_taco.Yes_please]

@@auberjean6873 Thank you x

[@auberjean6873]

@@Another_taco.Yes_please 💜

[@spiritofanu3112]

Except that there are a tonne of them in America. You have shown us some already. This one is a lot cleaner and safer than most illegal suites in NYC. Very cool!

[@whiteeyes3743]

I swear after watching these videos, I want the go to Japan so bad. Just blows my mind how different it is compared to what I thought my whole life 🤯🤯🤯🤯

[@mwyn5085]

So clean! And everything u need …tray is for u to eat while sitting in the bed. Even the basement laundry is clean & inviting ! 👍🏻👏🏻😃

[@hfs212000]

Loving your japan series

[@lisarussell1977]

I love seeing these tiny apartments! I had to laugh at you calling the kettle a 'water heater'!!! 🙊 😂

[@dragnfli520]

Pretty cool canal view!

[@michelleh.6363]

Seems very quiet! Nice small well used space and reminds me of the size of one of our U.S. hospital rooms…lol 👍💕🇺🇸🙏🐾😊👶🏻

[@keeler1160]

I wish for 200 square feet apartments in US. That can probably easily fix the cost of living.

[@ivanangeli]

truth be told, with some smart construction of kitchen and other storage in room, this could actually be causy place to live, for a single person. Larger bed, and your partner can visit. What you actually need is only comfortable bed, workdesk with some storage and place for PC, kitchen that is big enough so you can have everything within storage - and shallow storage unit in hallway (size of shoes, for shoues, jackets etc - and this is extremely comfy and livable - people don;t really undrestand, we actually don;t need too much space to live in, what we need is neccesities, comfor of bed and chairs, light and access to fresh air - all of what this apartment has. 120 sqr feet is little more then 11 m2 - my studio for work is 14 m2, and has more then enough space for everything, with huge doors for light and air. I think this is very doable - actually totally ok, until you get a family

[@darbat]

Ngl this apartment is better than MOST small NYC apartments that Cash has shown. It has its own toilet/shower and balcony.

[@MamaCarola1]

Morning all

[@CashJordan]

Good morning

[@themobilemage2137]

Exceptionally entertaining adventure! I think I would've used those small, low tables like a bed tray table, sit back, put in in your lap 😊 Those were livable spaces, like a hotel room

[@chrisstott4100]

That is a neat little apartment, Cash. I was hoping you would try out the tub.😅

[@bahijarhafiri]

With markets tumbling, inflation soaring, the Fed imposing large interest-rate hike, while treasury yields are rising rapidly-which means more red ink for portfolios this quarter. How can I profit from the current volatile market, I'm still at a crossroads deciding if to liquidate my $125k bond/stocck portfolio

[@GhanYt]

The market is volatile at this time, hence i will suggest you get yourself a financial-advisor that can provide you with entry and exit points on the shares/ETF you focus on.

[@GhanYt]

wow ,that’s stirring! Do you mind connecting me to your advisor please. I desperately need one to diversified my portfolio.

[@GhanYt]

Thanks, I merely looked her up on Google and was highly impressed by her credentials; I got in touch with her because I need all the help I can get. I just set up a phone call.

[@cyberfrank-bx2nv]

honestly, this is about your coolest video to date. and you re never dull... a critic on a Japanese apartment from an expert? you can t beat that. whenever I see videos like that, I keep thinking about Yakuza the Sega console game, it s so typical, it shows how accurate this game is, right at home. aside from the fridge, I could totally live there, unless I get my harem that is, D. good show bro.

[@j.p.h.8126]

You can watch or wash the TV while doing dishes thats brilliant. 🤣

[@Gigismom59]

Cash, just press all the buttons on the remote until stuff happens. That's how I've taught myself technology for 50 years!😂

[@misery13666]

The sink above the toilet is a washlet. It helps reduce space, and saves water since the water you washed your hands with is your next flush. it stops when the tank fills.

[@Johntriger]

Hey, pro tip here, check dryers while in Japan. Every one I used at hotels where full of lint. Pretty sure that "filter" you pointed out was just a bunch of lint on the lint trap haha. No wonder it took so long to dry your clothes. Try seeing if it comes off easily with your hand next time.

[@miwe8819]

greetings from Germany (Saarland)

[@virginiamoss7045]

The spout above the toilet comes on with flushing because it is filling the tank for the next flush.

[@kanealoha]

Yet another interesting video. Really enjoying your Japanese trip!

[@samsanimationcorner3820]

That place with the masks is a kibuki theater. It's traditional Japanese plays and stuff. Major cool thing, is they wear over the top make up and usually have over the top stories. A lot of the way anime characters act is based on kibuki theater.

[@xNekomancerx-fx7ey]

You are beyond awesome for this. domo arigato, jordan-kun

[@leighnisbett9691]

The little cupboard you opened in the bathroom is to store your toothbrushes and all the spares as most come in packs of two/three ,keeping everything in it's place.

[@pepsilove6306]

I lived in an apartment in Ishinomaki for several years about the same size as this, and to fit my bed, pc desk, dressers, and what not. I took two wide dressers, turned them facing each other, put my bed frame on top of them, and against the all between the dressers was my pc desk. for coats and seasonal wear, I took the siding door curtain down and used the pole it was on to hang my coats n dress cloths on.

[@sswan9689]

Japan's version of a TINY HOUSE/APT. 🤣🤣🤣. I like the balcony w/the river outside.

[@suseyq4559]

Agree, that unit could help with people needing to live in a big town on a small budget! Thanks Cash. BTW, you are funnier than any comedian!

[@doraagarcia4984]

LOVE your videos, especially when you include your beautiful family. Thank you for the entertainment. Love to see other cities you travel too!!!

[@pamlaufer8927]

You do an amazing job at reporting. If you were on TV, I would love to watch your show

[@waybogus]

I stayed in one of the neighboring apartments in that same building! Small world, I had an awesome stay there. Youll find itnon Airbnb right next to Dotonbori in Osaka.

[@rebeccanorth8896]

We have sooooo many abandoned building in America, like schools and even hotels, idk why they aren’t transformed into tiny apartments like this for the homeless. Especially homeless vets or orphans.

[@acgraphics1139]

Money and most homeless will ruin it

[@КарлыгашМанапбаева-ш8т]

Probably there are debts accumulated with singing?..

[@Vipppala]

the toilet sink runs until the the toilet fills back up again, duh.

[@ZiffXGames]

Man having SUPER cheap small spaces like that even here in the UK would be a godsend.. just chill in there for a couple years save money for a proper place

[@fjolliff6308]

This is a perfect layout and a great size! I would put drawers underneath the bed, or have the mattress lift up on hydrolics. You can have a whole closet under your bed! I'm definitely going to keep this layout in mind for my own tiny house getaway cabin!

[@suepeer3078]

I really liked the apt. It had everything you would need. Very efficient. So much to do there. So glad you are showing different places

[@susanmcmannis6646]

The most pleasant apartment so far, lots of sunlight!

[@sunso1991]

just checking out Jordan's older videos. compare to the rat infested NYC (April 2024). he look so happy here barely 8 months back

[@snowfoxpup]

The apartment you showed us is quite standard for single people. My Japanese friend has a similar one in Tokyo. It was a tight fit with two girls and I had a lot of luggage with me

[@itchykami]

8:00 The sink over the toilet is draining into the toilet's reservoir. Meaning you can wash your hands there and the water will be reused for the next flush. Can save a surprising amount of water and thus money.

[@arlenemaxwellcopeland1644]

Why didn't you look under the bed? It looked like pull out storage. That place looks fully functional and comfortable for ONE.

[@7passionstar]

I could not agree more that we need these tiny apartments in the US. Especially in Omaha! I want one! 😍

[@oregonduc]

You are basically in the center of Dotonbori, that place is famous in Osaka for all the foodie tourist destinations. Also that Dotonbori river is famous for when the Hanshin Tigers win the baseball championships and people will jump in there but I wouldn't advise doing it lol. Also the ferris wheel place is Don Quijote which is a famous supermarket and general store of all sorts of stuff. It's open 24 hours and the lines can get super long at odd times of the day/night with tourists. For a Coffee Cafe, if you walk back to Dotonbori area there is Hoshino Coffee and they prepare hand pour Hario V60 style coffee with various coffee beans.

[@yellowlynx]

No. The solution of housing affordability is not too build smaller apartments, but to tax all the revenue of selling flats and houses.

[@TheLiteraryGroupie]

Love these Japanese apartment explorations! Keep em' coming, Cash. 7-11 was the best for quick good food and a lifesaver for me too when I was in Japan. Arigato.

[@deaniej2766]

I am pretty sure that there was a lot of storage in the two drawers under the bed, just not hanging space. Other than dresses, skirts, and jackets, most clothes can be folded for storage.

[@FNLastname]

the reason US cities do not utilize apartments similar in design to this, is due to unit maintenance vs occupancy income. the more units you have to manage increases the cost of overall maintenance. this can result in the cost for the smaller apartments to actually have a more expensive rental cost per month. there is also building codes, inspections, and other various oddities to take into account in America vs Japan. It is possible for apartments like these to exist in America, however we wont see them for some time in pre-established buildings in cities like New York, LA, or San Fran. this is due to the cost investment to blow down walls, reroute plumbing and electrical and the down time for the building owner for the lack of income. not saying its impossible, but it would cost more to adjust current buildings to smaller units. a method a owner could utilize to convert would be to do reconstruction floor by floor as a building becomes less occupied until the entire building is renovated. this can be paired with renting out smaller units, while giving discounts to current tenants to downsize to the newer apartments.

[@Eyeris625]

that's some murky water passage there.... the Hudson or the East Rivers are not like that, a while back may be but not anymore... may be Newtown Creek is like that. That was a small place, it had everything you need but I think the most important thing was that small balcony. If you had to live there full time and feel like you have no place to turn just go to the balcony place a chair and have a cup of tea.

[@ELLIOTTHEUNDEAD]

I love small apartments. They are cheaper to buy and decorate, if it’s just one person I find small apartments in popular areas are definitely worth it

[@Dw7freak]

Seeing as how people rent long term at motels that are as small as, if not smaller than, this apartment, I'm surprised that big cities around the world don't have apartments like this. That you don't even have to go to a laundrymat to do your laundry is a nice bonus. Though, if you ever plan on doing anything other than sleeping or bathing, an apartment this size is inadequate, especially if you upgrade to a full-size bed.

[@IzzyOnTheMove]

As an involved catmom that flies with their cat, I'm not loving that it's not pet friendly, but i must admit this is the cutest no pets sign I've ever seen in my life

[@Sacto1654]

A big reason why it's illegal: the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA imposes some rather strict rules on housing design, and that makes many types of compact apartments seen in other parts of the world illegal.

[@michaelcampbell9982]

Dontobori is such an awesome area! It's so much fun after dark but still safe for the family.

[@susancreveling1929]

Love your videos and humor! Japan just goes to show that if we had to live smaller, we can do it.

[@hannakinn]

The older I get, I'm a retired senior, the more attractive smaller or tiny living becomes to me. I currently live in a 3 bedroom townhouse. I basically use just 2 rooms and the bathroom and laundry area. I have not had guests stay overnight in about 8 years now, i have no need for the space I have. The additional rooms and the garage just cause me to not get rid of things that have needed to go for a decade. I really do need to downsize. As we baby boomers age out we don't need to have big dwellings with unused spaces. I think a lot of seniors could benefit from downsizing. Lower taxes for those that own their homes, less or no yardwork, lower utility bills and more incentive to get out and about and the savings might allow more trsvel or provide a larger budget for fun activities, even if it's just dining out. My next move I will definately go smaller. I'll probably have to relocate to VA, my mom is 90 and might need me to care for her and then it will be on to the Seattle area for me so I can be close to where my son and grandchildren live. A tiny house in Snonomish County Washington with some outdoor views would be great. I think the square footage max limit there is 400 sq ft and the house has to be on a foundation and be build to house building code.

[@kitty_s23456]

Hi. I've seen many people (not just seniors) build and/ or live in tiny houses. If you're interested in them, check out the channel Tiny House, Giant Journey. Good luck on your future plans.

[@deborahhovan6464]

Love the amazing videos! ❤❤