Expensive and Alternative Homes

Most little children have dreams of growing up and living in some unusual homes – maybe a treehouse, a Native American lodge or tepee, an Eskimo’s igloo, or even in a fun and funky fort they build themselves from cardboard boxes and other harvested materials.

Living in cardboard boxes is one dream that many adults soon abandon once they realize that unfortunately, that’s a reality for far too many people. But wanting to have a very unusual or unique residence is not. And for those who can afford it, it is actually possible to live in the home of your dreams, no matter what those dreams are.

Houseboats.

Sure, some people may get seasick just being close to water, but for others, there’s nothing like being out on the ocean or the largest lake you can find and being there night and day. The smell of the water, the sound of the gulls, and the amazing sunrises and sunsets you get treated to every day are things that they probably wouldn’t trade for the world.

Houseboats are defined as boats that have been modified or designed specifically for long-term or permanent living. In other words, unlike that rickety fishing boat you might have rented on some very bad childhood vacation, they are equipped with a bathroom, running water, a kitchen, and some appliances.

Some houseboats are actually not even motorized since they’re not meant to be taken out in the water but stay moored or docked.

In some parts of southeast Asia, houseboats are common since the population density makes standard housing scarce. However, for others, a houseboat is a choice they make as a way of life. Some are very modest in size, feeling like a one-bedroom apartment, while others are up to 70 feet in length, being able to accommodate a dozen or more people at once. The larger, more luxurious yachts can include hot tubs, fireplaces, big-screen televisions, and spacious bedrooms.

There are many vacation areas in the U.S. that accommodate houseboats, especially along the Colorado river, a favorite tourist destination for many.

A recreational vehicle (RV) or motor-home.

When you think of high-end living quarters, chances are you aren’t thinking too much of a recreational vehicle or RV. It might be that your only experience with an RV was a vacation rental, or when you saw one chugging along the expressway – and heaven forbid it was in front of you.

Some people don’t realize the many different types of RVs that there are, from:

Class A, a self-contained vehicle with either a commercial truck chassis, a specially designed motor vehicle chassis, or a commercial bus chassis
Class B, a campervan, built using a conventional van, to which either a raised roof has been added or had the back replaced by a low-profile body
Class C, a motorhome built on a truck chassis with an attached cab section, which is usually van based, but may also be pickup truck based
Folding trailer, also known as a pop-up or tent camper, a light-weight unit with sides that collapse for towing and storage
Fifth-wheel trailer; designed to be towed by a pickup or medium duty truck equipped with a special hitch called a fifth wheel coupling.
Travel trailer, a unit with rigid sides designed to be towed by some larger vehicle with a bumper or frame hitch

While an RV can therefore be very small and somewhat cramped quarters, some are built with nothing but luxury in mind. Larger models have full bathrooms, refrigerators, living areas, master bedrooms, and additional outdoor cooking areas. Some RVs are very elaborate, with satellite TV and internet access.

In 2006, Featherlite Luxury Coaches debuted the Featherlite Vantare Platinum Plus, a motorhome featuring marble floors, a built-in treadmill and other luxury features valued at $2.5 million.

Someone looking for a luxurious set of living quarters but who still craves the freedom of the open road, or who has always dreamed of being able to see as much of the country as possible, can definitely find everything they’re looking for in today’s model RVs.

A house in the trees.

Maybe when you were a kid your idea of a treehouse was a few boards nailed together and a crude rope ladder to climb up for entry.

Today, treehouses are nothing like that childish fantasy, and have actually become world-class hotels of a sort.

This doesn’t have as much to do with the house itself as it may have to do with the trees in which they’re built. Rainforests, tropics, and bushland are all becoming popular choices for those who design homes that are actually elevated off the ground and supported by the giant trees around them.

Make no mistake, these homes come with all the luxuries you would expect of first-class accommodations, including fireplaces, hot tubs, big-screen TVs, and everything else. The only difference of course being the amazing views you’re treated to constantly. Imagine seeing the trees of the rainforest, but at eye level, rather than looking up. Imagine the wildlife and vast variety of birds you could see every day.

It’s no wonder than these homes are not for the faint of heart, not only when it comes to their elevation, but their price tag as well! Many are priceed well into the millions, however, what they offer in return cannot be duplicated anywhere.

What kind of home do you want?

Other forms of unusual houses abound, from actual Native American tepees to those arctic igloos, adobe houses of the ancient southwest, and even dome houses made entirely of glass. Modern technology and design have of course caused them to be updated with all the amenities and luxuries that one would expect, and it’s not unusual to find satellite dishes and wireless internet in even the most unexpected of areas. But the point is that whatever your dream was as a child, wherever you imagined yourself living, that dream can become a reality without you having to sacrifice one part of comfort or convenience along the way.

 

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