Diversity in house sizes

I should note, first, that I was born and raised in the United States of America, and that formed my ideas for what types of housing were available, and what they said about their inhabitants. The fact that I’ve done my best to avoid and repudiate these ideas in the years since. . . probably accounts for a lot.

I bought what, by American standards, is an absurdly tiny house – about 35 square meters (multiply by 10 for square feet.) It’s compact and it suits me – I grew extremely tired of the amount of stuff I had around me at all times in the states.

But it’s far from the only housing option. The sterotype is that Japan’s homes are tiny, and yes, some are, but the average house really isn’t. I’ve seen statistics (which unfortunately I’ve never been able to find) saying that Japan’s average house size is near the top of the OECD, slightly smaller than Australia’s.

In my area, within walking distance, house sizes run the gamut. Most are pretty small, about twice the size of my humble abode. Some are larger, often with a yard and a driveway. Some are larger yet, and might have what frankly looks like a wall and gatehouse. I’ve seen some that are like literal castles, complete with moat. And of course there are also the ubiquitous flats, which themselves range in size from one-room studios to 6LDK (six rooms, plus a living/dining/kitchen area.) Probably larger ones exist, but I haven’t looked too much.

It’s incredibly nice having options – I personally wanted a small place that I owned, because renting a place without a residence card is impossible, and that’s what I got. I didn’t want a yard or parking space, and I don’t have one. There are houses that do have them, and the market is reasonably rational – you can put a price on these amenities, and get the ones that you value.

Plus, because of this range of living situations, accomodations and affordances exist for the entire spectrum. Furniture comes in various sizes. Things fold up or break down for easy storage. We are spared the spectacle of adults shopping in the “back to school” dorm furnishings section because that’s the only small space many Americans will ever live in. Eminently civilized.