Yurt living. How awful is this going to be?

[Lairymary]

I'm hoping someone can convince me that this won't be as awful as I think it's going to be...
Here goes... My OH and I have just purchased a property that needs a lot of work, we're talking complete renovation and needs plumbing and electricity installing. We have found a property to rent while we do it up, (6 months) but that is a 40 minute drive away (literally no other options closer to the property). DH has seriously suggested that we just buy a yurt and live in that on site to save the money on rent and petrol. In theory, yes it's a good money saving idea (will probably save at least 12 grand in total) but in the pit of my stomach I'm a bit horrified at the thought of potentially 6 long months of camping. Hopefully the house will be habitable before then. I just have this awful feeling that it's going to make me miserable, also to add there is a three year old in this scenario too!!
Does anyone have experience of yurt living for longer than a "glamping" holiday. Is it going to be awful?
Just to add, we plan to get the bathroom and a washing machine sorted as a priority, fingers crossed, so hygiene won't be an issue.

Can you buy a large caravan or small static then sell it on when complete

If the bathroom and plumbing were sorted within weeks, this wouldn’t bother me. A bit of a PITA but I could cope if it meant saving 12k.
If it’s any consolation your three year old will probably love it

What time of year? Over winter would obviously be much worse than summer.

It's fine if you pick the right months and the project doesn't go over

And you have to be scrupulous about putting food away because of rats etc

I would go with a caravan over a yurt especially with a toddler. You'll have no privacy or separation. Have spent a couple of weeks in yurts when travelling- not a long term option for anyone not used to it I'd say.

Romantic though it sounds ( for a week) I'm not sure about a few months in a yurt.
Even with bathing and washing facilities available ( will they be available when the yurt arrives?) I'd be despondent about living in one for so long.
Given tomorrow's weather, would you actually cope?
Cold? Damp? Noxious wood burner? Cooking?

I don't know.

I'd have thought a small caravan might be more comfortable and potentially have better resale value.
Proper yurts are pretty expensive aren't they - around £6-10k?

We've stayed in one for a long weekend, it was pretty comfortable but have a wood burner for heat & I'm not sure that would be safe with a young child (in case the touch it)?

Yeah, I would go caravan over Yurt anytime.

Fwiw I lived in a 2 man tent for 3 months, just me, in my youth, so slightly different.

I do like camping, but did wonder what I was letting myself in for, but I quickly got used to it, and really didn't mind at all after a couple of weeks. The first night back in a real bed was bloody amazing though!

I'd go for a caravan instead I think. We have a towing van that sleeps six (although we've never had more than 4 in it). With an electric hook up and gas canister for cooking it is reasonably comfortable. We use a water butt, so haven't used the shower as that would drain it fast. But theoretically possible! I think a yurt would lose its charm and if you need to use it through winter it will be cold.

Another vote for caravan!

No experience, but could be a brilliant experience for your family especially during the summer. I presume you will have electricity. Certainly worth considering especially if saving 12K plus the commute. Your 3 year old is likely to go with the flow and be happy with whatever makes you happy.

Caravan to sleep & yurt or big tent for a toddler play area & table to eat meals

Or caravan to cook & eat then yurt or big blackout tent to sleep.

But give yourselves two spaces so you aren't on top of each other all the time.

I'd go for it on two conditions. 1, it didn't run in to the autumn. 2, I got a night in a hotel every, say, fortnight.

Is that based on costing up a yurt plus insulation compared to a caravan?

My friend has a yurt on a bit of land they own and they use it with kids. It has real beds, wood burner, sofa etc and if it was like that I think I’d be fine, especially with house facilities BUT they are expensive so would prefer a caravan given the option. Hopefully he doesn’t mean a bell tent- I have one of those and it’s lovely for a short break but I couldn’t stay in it for long.

Yurts aren't cheap so if I had to I'd go with an old caravan, at least you're off the ground. I stayed in one for a while though and found it miserable. Every time it rained it was so loud and it was so cramped, there was no heating so it was also cold - and I didn't have a child. The bathroom and plumbing might be a priority but it still has to be done - what are you going to do in the mean time. It sounds like a great money saving idea but is likely to be hell IMO.

100% agree with @parietal

Is your £12k saving figure after deducting the cost of buying a yurt?

Because a cursory Google tells me you're looking at £6k+ for an insulated yurt.

I’d be angling for a carport and a caravan. If you have an undercover car port you can have a gas bbq and a camp kitchen outside. Plus plenty of space for the toddler to play in and then caravan wont get so dirty.

I once spent one September night in a posh Yurt. We were booked for two nights…

Comfort wise fine. Health and safety wise having a 3 year old camping on a building site - no way.

Everyone gets an old mobile home to live in whilst building here

I could live in a yurt if it had a heater (not wood burner - too much work) and a kitchen area that included a zip up cupboard (to combat wildlife) and cooker and proper beds (day bed/sofa maybe). Also important is a little camping toilet for nighttime. And avoid December- February. I think the space would be better for a small child because caravans have no floor space at all. But i love camping and i know it’s not for everyone.

Static caravan would be better if you have a family. If you don't want it afterwards, you can sell it on!