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Original poster

Yurt living. How awful is this going to be?

158 replies

Lairymary · 17/02/2022 20:12

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.

OP posts:
NettleTea · 17/02/2022 21:12

@Lairymary

Confused oh good lord, he's convinced he can get one for a couple of grand. Hmm, I would insist on an air bnb or similar until there was plumbing and electricity. I agree the three year old would probably love it and yes we would have proper beds and furniture in there. Good points about the safety aspect of the stove/heater. I did mention a caravan, I can't remember why that idea was rejected, probably because it would cost more that a yurt. I'm going to have to do my own price research aren't I, rather than leaving it to him Smile
he is not going to get a yurt thats big enough or decent enough to live in for £2K

even secondhand - and thats likely to have damp or mould in the canvas.

You are going to need a minimum of 6m.

You are going to need to make sure it is heavyweight canvas, not the lightweight ones that tents are made of

You are going to need a raised platform to put it on, and for that size you will need to have levelled ground and make it from wood - it really needs to get airflow through

Dont buy a mongolian import - they look beautiful but they are rubbish for our weather and they will be permanently damp and mouldy - Mongolia is cold and dry. we are warm and damp.

You will need a decent woodburner, and will need to keep that going to ensure the canvas stays dry

MarieKlepto · 17/02/2022 21:13

@Leonberger is right. A decent second hand caravan (static or big tourer) won't cost more than a yurt would cost to buy and fit out. Ditto re full length awning - it's great storage/play/dining space too. Vans can also run off solar panels/batteries. My friend has a full size induction hob in hers, we run on a combi solar/gas. The other consideration is the cost of transporting/erecting a yurt via getting a van dragged in. You've also got to consider that there's a recoup resale value once you are in the house. A van can be easily sold. I could go on but I think 6 months in a decent van would be quite ok. Yurt, not so much.

wanderlove · 17/02/2022 21:13

We lived in a 6 birth caravan for 6 months with a two year old and a baby. It was quite honestly was magical…but partly because it had heating and a toilet you could go to in thr middle of the night. We often look back on it. Thr first week was miserable and so muddy. We quickly got pallets and made a path, floor and an awning so we had a lot of space.

godmum56 · 17/02/2022 21:14
  1. no
  2. hell no
  3. fuck no
4 caravan at minimum
Everydaydayisaschoolday · 17/02/2022 21:14

Your plans are based on assuming things run to time. And the one thing I know for absolute certain is that building works never ever run to time and renovations take even longer. And my experience is pre-Brexit when materials were much easier to come by.

You need a proper caravan hooked up to water and power for this. You will be able to sell it on when your house is habitable which will be in a minimum of 2 years time and more likely 4 years.

WonderfulYou · 17/02/2022 21:14

I would be absolutely fine sleeping in one.
I think I would quite enjoy it actually.

But the main issue for me would be where you shower.
Especially if you’re both working FT and need to get ready in the mornings.

travellingturtle · 17/02/2022 21:16

I lived in a yurt for 6 months. But that was in the Caribbean...

You're literally living outside and if you can't guarantee good weather, you're potentially in trouble. Bugs, water, cold, wind noises... it's not easy living in the slightest.

I'd say no –if it's a £12,000 saving you're making, I'd aim for less of a financial saving and more of an investment in your mental health...

FredBair · 17/02/2022 21:16

My neighbour did a barn conversion and lived in a caravan on site for over a year. They obviously hooked up mains water and electricity. A big caravan wouldn't be too bad but a yurt is basically a fancy name for a tent.

Ylvamoon · 17/02/2022 21:18

I ONCE spent 4 weeks living in a polycotton tent. It was a long holiday in a dryer, warmer climate, so really just for fun and no work commitments.

In all honesty, what really got to me in the end was the dirt.
As others suggested, get a caravan with awning or a static home, better all round.

2022sucksalready · 17/02/2022 21:24

Back in the early to mid 80s we moved to a similar house (I and my sister were pre teen). We lived in a static caravan in the garden while my dad did the totally derelict place up. I only have great memories of that part of our childhood. I’m doubting my mum could say the same though to be fair….

Good luck op.

JustMsInvisible · 17/02/2022 21:24

I’d sleep on a log as long I had electric for the telly

ApplesinmyPocket · 17/02/2022 21:27

A "six birth caravan"! my, we can tell how you spent those long, cold nights Grin

silverley · 17/02/2022 21:30

Fuck no to a yurt. I lived in a shell of a cottage while renovating it and that was cold and awkward and dirty enough, let alone living in a tent in a the garden!

Caravan would probably be the best, but if you have a big enough garden, would maybe something like a log cabin studio type thing (something like Dunster House) be an idea? A bit pricy, but then of course, you still have it as an office/playroom/studio/guest space after you're in the house. Could be an okay living space, but you'd have to have the bathroom on the house basically set up (or compost toilet?).

Bunnycat101 · 17/02/2022 21:31

I’d not be keen as two adults but could probably suck it up for a little while. With a 3yo it just sounds hellish.

My children have been constantly Ill this last month. The thought of dealing with sickness bugs etc with no running water feels me with dread. And how would you keep the 3yo secure at night while living on a building site?

5zeds · 17/02/2022 21:41

I’d put up a garage and live in that.

Sunshine1235 · 17/02/2022 21:43

If you’re all in one room then what wil you do in the evening when your 3yo goes to bed? We camped in a yurt with a 3yo and 4yo, it was doable but we all just went to bed at 8.30

LemonSwan · 17/02/2022 21:48

I dunno, I have stayed in some pretty nice yurts. Think double bed and logburner etc. In that case I would go yurt over caravan any day!

But maybe I just havent stayed in a nice enough caravan.

Btw we are doing this OP and whilst we have stormed through it since Oct - living in a garage! We have had trouble with some trades - and we have very good connections build wise.

I would say a full reno 6 months is going to be pretty tight.

Unsure33 · 17/02/2022 21:49

You can hire static homes while building . A lot more civilised .

WiddlinDiddlin · 17/02/2022 21:49

Only if you wanted a yurt afterwards...

Get a second hand static, or even two - lower cost, less faff, more predictable living set up.

Yes my sister, my father and I lived in a static for 12 months before the house was ready, initially we had an outdoor loo and shower rigged up and the first job before the end of summer was to get a liveable bathroom in the main house.

thesparkthatbled · 17/02/2022 21:50

There is a whole society of people in the UK who live in caravans permanently.

I can't imagine there are too many people living permanently in a yurt in the UK.

That's your answer right there!

Dixiechickonhols · 17/02/2022 21:53

Caravan 💯 and contraception - everyone in a caravan on grand designs gets pregnant!

Blinkingbatshit · 17/02/2022 22:00

You need a camper van or a caravan - have you looked at rental costs of those? Yurt will be entirely impractical for that long…. We have one in our garden during the summer…I can tell you from experience it’s flipping freezing at night and boiling in the day. By the time you’ve got a wood burner fitted for heat you may as well have rented a house for a year or two😆…

TheHateIsNotGood · 17/02/2022 22:02

Don't forget to check the local planning regs - if you've bought a plot with PP for a dwelling then you should get temp PP to site a caravan/mobile home for 2 years.

NaiceHamAndHugs · 17/02/2022 22:02

Good god no!

Have a look at the news tomorrow once this storm has passed and then imagine what being in a flappy tent would be like!

Ilostit · 17/02/2022 22:04

Deffo an old static they sell on well.