What are your thoughts on a Yurt for colder climates?
My husband and I have begun to look into creating/purchasing our own home. We have been exploring tiny houses, yurts and renovating an RV style trailer (if we can find one that does not off gas). The idea of a moveable home is attractive to us because we are not sure where we want to settle. We would like to invest in something that we can take with us if we decide to move to BC or another part of Ontario (we currently live in SE Ontario). We are thrifty, resourceful, health conscious, foragers, gardeners, nature lovers and money conscious. What are your thoughts on a Yurts? Or what would be the best option for our type of lifestyle/interests?
There are many disadvantages to living in a Yurt in winter, but if it’s a suitable lifestyle for you then yes, you can do it no problem. If you are open to options and it fits your budget, a mobile tiny house may make sense, but that is more about being able to move it regularly. If you are looking for a small affordable home that you could transport, a prefab kit house is an option that may be worth exploring, have a look at this page–
LEED Platinum prefab kit homes
The model on that page is larger than you would be looking for, but there is a sign-up form on there so you can get a notice when we get all the design options loaded in the near future, with smaller home options. For the moment the one model that I think may meet your needs is this Prefab tiny house that you can see on our french site, it comes fully finished and you could load it on a truck and take it out west in the future if you like.
In the spring we will be filming the installation of that 'Le Refuge S500' model on screw piles (posts in the ground), and it can be easily transported in the future on a flat bed truck.
That would be a far different lifestyle that Yurt living for comfort and amenities.
But speaking to the Yurt option, the thing to remember going into this is that you are living in a jazzed-up tent, not a house. That means it will either be the coolest and most luxurious (extended) camping trip ever, or the highest-maintenance and cramped house ever, it depends on your outlook!
The advantages of living in Yurt:
It’s cheap to purchase
It doesn’t take long to clean
You can’t get lost in it.
Well, that about does it. Yes I’m kidding, but… really, that about does it. It's a lifestyle choice you're either into or you aren't. If you like camping and living in a cozy place, and you have very little money but your own plot of land, this is a great solution.
The disadvantages of living in a Yurt:
Cohabitating with Insects and rodents
Size and privacy, but you already know that.
Poorly insulated walls, roof and floor, so not very energy efficient
Drafty on a cold winter night
Plumbing solutions can be tricky
So it ultimately comes down to lifestyle and cost, hopefully this helps a bit with perspective.