Post: #1

I did a few searches for repurposed living spaces and couldn't really dig up anything, hopefully this hasn't been covered already.

I'm finally getting to the point in life where I need to think about moving out on my own. The main reason for my relocation is to be near my school, but this is going to be a huge step in my lifestyle development and personal growth as well.

I don't really like the idea of renting a room/apartment because of the exoribtant housing costs in my planned area for what would be a very minimal space. If any of you are familiar with the Pasadena California metro area, then you know that its one of the most expensive areas to live in here in Southern California.

I like the idea of living in a warehouse type of environment that I could somehow repurpose for my use. I would need studio space for my work anyway, so combining the two doesn't sound like a horrible idea. The types of spaces I'm thinking of are the type that would likely have doors that roll up with a chain, like in a garage and lots of concrete and exposed metal beams. I also really like the idea of being able to drive my car into the space and step out my car directly into my studio/workplace.

I don't want a trendy loft with concrete that was specifically designed and marketed for rich hipster kids, I'm talking about moving into an actual business space that I would live in, possibly illegally. I want the real version of what the hipster kids are trying to emulate.

Possible examples:
-A small shack above a butcher shop
-A mechanic garage that hasn't had a business in it for years
-A space in a sprawling office complex with actual offices as distant neighbors
-An old ass shoe factory that's seen better days

Obvious problems:
-Basic things like hot water
-Rodents
-Shitty neighborhoods and an element of danger that accompanies this
-Legality/Landlord troubles
-I'd have to fix all my own shit (good, ill learn some valuable skills)
-Rent might not really be much cheaper than an actual apartment
-Heating/Cooling is a serious problem as these spaces weren't designed for domestic use
-The need for some type of "connection" to get someone to rent this space to me under these legally questionable conditions

This whole idea might be completely unfeasible, but I didn't simply want a normal apt like everyone else and I also don't want to participate in the batshit-crazy housing market here. If anyone has experience doing this type of thing and can school me on the pros, cons and obvious pitfalls of such an endeavor it would be much appreciated.

Post: #2

I'd like to do a similar thing in my city. I'm interested in input from others as well, tho this sorta project is rare I'm sure.

"The need for some type of "connection" to get someone to rent this space to me under these legally questionable conditions"

Why would you add value to someone else's property? Also, rent probably will be more expensive than an apartment...especially after your improvements.

If you can't afford to buy it, don't pay to improve it.

Plus, the best thing you can do is rent property that the *landlord* is responsible for fixing/maintaining.

Believe me, I've built and owned a large home. I now rent an apartment. There is plenty of little stuff that goes wrong, *that I could fix*...but don't because it's not my property.

Post: #3

You're gonna need a porta potty.

Lots of people here live in warehouses like the 1000 or so sq ft ones that are built like oversize storage units. They either convert the existing office into a room or build one out. It's very easy and since they already have bathrooms you just need to add a shower.

Post: #4

You're going to have trouble finding anything like this in Pasadena. Even commercial warehouse space will be super valuable and expensive. You'll have to live in a neighboring community 10-15 miles away, either to the south or east. As you mentioned, to find any kind of available and affordable industrial/commercial/warehouse space, you're probably going to be in a shady area. Perhaps an industrial park area that is 40-50 years old, and now has an odd hodgepodge of small businesses.

This would not be a convenient or attractive place to bring women. It may seem like a cool concept, but when you meet some chick in class, and invite her to your warehouse in a seedy industrial area half an hour away, this will not go over very well.

I think if you're going to live in a high rent area like Pasadena, you have to have the income to cover it easily. Otherwise, it would be better to choose a different schooling situation that doesn't require you to afford housing in a ritzy area.

Post: #5

I've been thinking about doing this myself-would fit my lifestyle well

Post: #6

Roastbeef, youre absolutely right about Pasadena itself. I have no problem being about 10 or so miles away from school. It doesn't have to be Pasadena, just within the greater metro area. It has to be this school due to my major. Most of my fellow students live a city or two over, like glendale or alhambra due to Pasadena being so expensive.

E-mech, what would prevent me from installing my own toilet? I don't really understand the need for a portapotty, seeing as most of these spaces do have a bathroom as you mentioned.

Post: #7

I'm looking for this type of space as an option when I move to the city. I haven't seen one yet.
I would want warehouse type space that has a brick wall and exposed wood beams (I lived in a condo that used to be a warehouse but it was transformed to living places. people loved brick wall. Those kind of places are more expensive and hard to get)
I want to put a small photo studio and use other space to store merchandises if I go to ecommerce route.

I believe those commercial places don't allow you living there. So you need to find an individual landlord who doesnt mind.

Somehow, I have a fascination with back alleys (buildings that was built early 1900s so it has that rustic brick facade) and I just walk around buildings to find cool spots when I visit the cities. I have seen some spaces in those spots.( storage? Boiler room? Abandoned? Who knows)
I think my best bet is to find a space on my own and inquire about it. Normal people would find it weird but I think its a perfect spot for artist related, startup kind business and mancave.

Look up photo studios on CL
It wouldn't be too hard to find photo studio in those industrial places. If you have to put decent money to clean up the place, you can rent it as a photo studio to recoup your investment.

In the end, I don't think its possible to just find one on CL that meets your criteria (allowed to live, cool enough to live, clean enough to live)

Post: #8

I had a buddy who lived in a loft which used to be a furniture mill.

One of the coolest spots I've been to.

Post: #9

I want to do the garage thing, just for a year or two. I like working on cars and I think it'd be fun.

Post: #10

I have a few project cars and would prefer not having flat mates. Also I want to start a business and get out of home. If I can make 100 bucks a week profit from a small business then that goes a long way to paying off the mortgage.

I've looked at a couple of commercial places but I need to save more of a deposit before the banks will lend me money.

Here at least, anything to do with commercial property and the price goes up like 500%. My rates were going to be huge, and the bank wanted 50% deposit on a property loan for commercial rather than like 10% for residential.

Also, if you buy commercial it can be a lot harder to sell the property again. So you have to be committed.

I had to find a loop hole because officially you're not allowed to live in a commercial property here. But if I start a company and employ myself as a live in security guard, it's legit.

Post: #11

Buy the entire building. Redo the entire complex and sell the other units.

While that seems to take significant capital, this is not always the case - know a guy who barely had enough cash to buy a house, but instead decided to use the money for a down-payment for an apartment building. He reconstructed everything, lived in one place and usually rents out the rest. After the mortgage was paid off in 15-20 years he owned the building completely. It was no problem getting enough rent to cover the mortgage.

Post: #12

I think first off you probably have to have a landlord who knows what your doing and is okay with it or willing to look the other way. I'm renting an office right now and you don't really have the privacy with an office you do with an apartment as far as notice before them entering and things like that, some may even have cleaning crews or landlord may want to do inspections.

The other problem you'll run into is very few places are going to have shower and kitchen facilities. Kitchen you could get a hot plate and a microwave but shower unless your cool taking bird baths in a slop sink or joining a gym for showers you'll be hard pressed to find a place with a shower.

I think it's a really cool idea and I've considered doing like the vandwelling thing knowing I have an office if it gets too hot or cold to crash in a van, its nice knowing I have some inside space but again mine would be very temporary on select nights when whether is bad or if my van was in the shop or something, not something I'd be doing on a regular basis.

Depending upon your are and how strict they are with zoning and stuff as well as how much you want to invest in this space you could potentially rent a vacant lot in a backroads type area and put a storage contianer there or buy a tiny house to live in.

Post: #13

If I had something like this with even HALF the space id be able to make that work. These are obviously some really nice examples, but id love something along this thread. The first and last pic are pretty damn cool.