Living in a Yurt

We definitely take things for granted in our daily lives. Most of us expect a bathroom where we live, easy access to our home, and proximity to stores is important as well. A friend of a friend lives in a yurt on a 52 acre property about two hours north of San Francisco. We love being around nature, so being surrounded by so much greenery is definitely a treat. In this instance it comes with certain sacrifices. To get to the yurt you have to cross a creek and in the winter a zip line comes in handy. Also an outhouse poses a few question for us, but the quiet surroundings, the setting, and the round construction of the yurt are big pluses. Would you consider a life like this for long term?

For us it would only work for a short while and it would require some adjustment in our lifestyle. Seeing the stars every night would be a huge plus and possibly spark a new interest in astronomy. All the space presents many options. We love the fire pit with the stone sitting around it. Also the idea of decorating a yurt is very inpiring. We can imagine that working with a round construction presents its own challenges and problems to solve, but we also think that it would be really fun. So what do you think? Is this your cup of tea?

(Images: Jeremy Megran)

Comments (16)

i could only do it for vacations.

posted by rouquinne on July 16th 2009 at 6:47pm
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What a stunning place to live and a stunning way to live. Absolutely I could live here, what is there to give up, you have it all there....52 acres stars, perfection.

posted by bagelpower on July 16th 2009 at 7:04pm
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I could definitely do it for a month or two, but the canadian winters would likely win in the end...

posted by ephcee on July 16th 2009 at 7:13pm
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I stayed for a week at a friends house that only had an outhouse- it was well built and comfortable. An outhouse wouldn't be an issue.
I don't know if I could manage without a shower or bath. THAT would be difficult.

posted by brooklynb on July 16th 2009 at 7:56pm
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I'm a little obsessed with the idea of owning a yurt oneday. You can definitely install a bathroom inside it, and some even come with lofts.

posted by quinnley on July 16th 2009 at 7:57pm
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I'm with ephcee only reverse, I could do it for a while, but June-August, no way, it's been 3-digit temperature for weeks here in south Texas... definitely depends on weather, or what a person can handle, to live in a yurt year round.

posted by jessbink on July 16th 2009 at 8:20pm
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I stayed at a friends Yurt as well in Sonoma up in the hills on a nice piece of land with a pool..I did not want to leave. This one was a hard surface, full kitchen, laundry, full bath and two rooms, the living room, dining room and kitchen were all open plan.

quinnley I have been obsessed as well it seems like the only affordable solution for me if I want some land.

This is a great site to figure what you want and the cost
ttp://rainieryurts.reachlocal.com/coupon/?scid=521916&cid=371762&tc=09071618575779623&kw=1461739&dynamic_proxy=1&primary_serv=rainieryurts.reachlocal.net&se_refer=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252Fsearch%253Fhl%253Den%2526q%253Dyurt%252Bdesigns%252Bcold%252Bweather%2526aq%253Df%2526oq%253D%2526aqi%253D

posted by LoriSF on July 16th 2009 at 9:00pm
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I have stayed in one for over a week, granted it was a large one with a pool and on a very big piece of land all forest probably why I did not want to leave.

I too have been obsessed and hope to get one some day soon.
This is a good site just to figure the cost for the yurt only-
http://rainieryurts.com

posted by LoriSF on July 16th 2009 at 9:04pm
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I just like to say the word "yurt."

posted by sally305 on July 16th 2009 at 9:50pm
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I'm with quinnley--I'm kind of obsessed with this idea. I could absolutely do it long term.

posted by mrd89 on July 17th 2009 at 12:14am
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No question - I could live like this indefinitely, but unfortunately it would be impossible to do so in Quebec year round. Sigh. However, come see me in 10 years when I've got my all-weather earth ship up and running.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9jdIm7grCY

posted by Heatherbelle on July 17th 2009 at 8:32am
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Can someone fix that link that's got the sidebar all screwed up? I can't click through the photographs.

Thanks! ;)

posted by fruitcrackers on July 17th 2009 at 9:43am
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Sarah Richardson decorated one on her show Design Inc. It was beautiful of course!
http://www.designinc.ca/tr/tr.php?id=3&season=01

posted by Jimmyjames on July 17th 2009 at 8:08pm
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I think living in a Yurt would be awesome. My friends seem to be happier than anyone I know. They are truly living "Puda Vida" which in Costa Rica means the pure life. You would defiantly have to give up a lot of your material desires and shopping habits to live like this. If you are with a loving mate and enjoy living off the land it is totally possible. You can always join a few yurts together to make a mini mansion and possibly put a tree house in the back for fun.

posted by Jeromy on July 18th 2009 at 4:49pm
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I've just found your posting after finding AT today. I've lived in a small yurt (16') that was part of a 9-yurt village at a ski resort, living there in winter. I loved it and can't wait to get back to it! I've been away 5 years now and I think of my yurt home daily. I plan to purchase a 24' or 30' yurt for a main home, then attach, via a covered/insulated walkway, 16' yurt for the bedroom. The one I lived in had a tiny bathroom with sink and toilet only, but others in the village had a shower, too. Cramped but who cares? How much time do you need to spend in the bathroom? An outdoor shower for summer is a must.
Your overhang is beautiful but I can imagine snow/ice buildup here in the NE. I can't quite make out the design, I'd be afraid to try it with all the snow and ice we get.
What do you think?

posted by veslabeachgirl on November 10th 2009 at 11:59am
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Forgot to mention, I lived in that yurt for 5 winters. When it was howling blizzard or 25 below zero F I was always snug and warm in my cozy, weather proof little yurt. Year three I built a small sleeping loft which allowed me to keep the heat turned w-a-y down, saving fuel.
It's not for everyone but if you love waking up to the moon in your eyes, or seeing the brilliant stars or hearing the rain on your roof this might be for you. It surely is for me and I can't wait to get back to it.

posted by veslabeachgirl on November 10th 2009 at 12:06pm
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