Unique And Affordable Housing Alternatives

The conventional housing dream isn’t for everyone, but there are plenty of alternatives to consider. Get creative with your housing with these ideas.

Not everyone wants a two-story house with a white picket fence. For some people, conventional housing is either too expensive or too, well, conventional to suit their dreams. If you find yourself in either of those categories, don’t worry! You don’t have to be stuck renting your home for the rest of your life. Instead, consider any of these unique and affordable housing alternatives to building your home.

Shipping Containers

Container homes are a spin-off of the tiny home movement—a popular trend of downsizing to a much smaller home. This is perfect for anyone who enjoys the minimalist lifestyle. The smaller size saves you money with smaller energy bills. Shipping container homes are also a phenomenal way to recycle. These houses are durable and surprisingly versatile. You can build your container home on stilts, in trees, against cliffs, and in many other environments.

RV

This housing alternative is perfect for people who love the open road. Not only does living in an RV provide you with zero mortgage and cheaper energy costs, but it also allows you to travel full-time. It’s not just for retirees, either. With the rise of remote job opportunities, many people are packing their bags and making a living while wandering the country. Of course, there are a few things to consider when making the transition to full-time RVing. However, if you’d love to see the entire world through your own front door, then it’s likely a good fit for you.

Alternative Housing Materials

Many of the most popular unique and affordable housing alternatives are simply houses built with creative and sustainable materials. Plastic bottles are one of the most common examples. Because there’s no shortage of plastic bottles in the world, some organizations are saving them from the landfill and using them in the walls of homes. Other examples of alternative building materials include pallets, straw bales, and earthbags. All of these homes incorporate cheap, easily obtained building materials that give your home a creative look for a fraction of the price.