Imagine having your off-grid home built over a weekend. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it?
One housing option that promises fast assembly is the yurt. Lightweight, portable, and highly customizable, a yurt offers unique advantages, especially for those looking to live off the grid.
But, as with any alternative living structure, there are both benefits and drawbacks to consider.
In this blog, we’ll break down the advantages and disadvantages of living in a yurt.
I’ll offer insights on everything from construction time to unexpected concerns like bear encounters. We’ll dive deep into what it’s really like to live in one of these round, tent-like structures.
Table of Contents
Rapid Construction and Portability
One of the biggest selling points of yurts is the speed with which they can be built.
While traditional homes can take months to complete, a yurt can be constructed in just a weekend — assuming you already have the platform ready.
Building the foundation, which typically involves setting posts and creating a circular deck, takes some time, but once that’s done, the rest is remarkably fast.
Even more impressive than its quick assembly is its portability. Unlike traditional homes, a yurt can be disassembled and moved with relative ease.
If you’re someone who enjoys the idea of living in different locations, this flexibility might be a game-changer.
You can even move a yurt through a forest by hand if needed. The structure can be taken down without damage and set up in a new spot, offering a level of freedom that’s hard to match with conventional houses.
This portability is also a major plus for those looking to live in a yurt temporarily while saving for a more permanent home.
Many people choose to live in a yurt for a few years, then move it when they’ve saved enough to build a larger house.
And the good news? If you decide to sell your yurt, you’re likely to get most, if not all, of your money back.
Some people even sell their yurts for more than they originally paid due to inflation and rising material costs.
Budget-Friendly Living
Cost savings are another significant advantage. Building a yurt is far more affordable than constructing a traditional home.
You can expect to spend significantly less per square foot, making it an attractive option for those on a tight budget.
The absence of professional construction labor costs in remote areas contributes to the savings. For many people, this difference is like night and day.
Beyond the initial savings, yurts require minimal maintenance compared to traditional homes. The simple structure lacks gutters, eaves, and other elements that require regular upkeep. There’s no need to worry about replacing a rusting roof or dealing with snow build-up damaging the structure.
A yurt largely takes care of itself, allowing you to focus your energy on other things instead of constant repairs and renovations.
For those living in areas where snow and wind are frequent concerns, you’ll be happy to know that yurts are surprisingly resilient.
The basic yurt design can handle up to 50 pounds of snow load per square foot and withstand winds of up to 100 miles per hour.
This makes yurts suitable for harsh climates, offering protection from extreme weather.
Tax Benefits
Here’s an unexpected bonus: tax savings. Depending on your locality, yurts may be taxed as temporary structures or not taxed at all, which can lead to substantial savings over the years.
While some regions may still tax yurts, they often assess them at a much lower value than a traditional house.
For example, a yurt valued at $50,000 will incur far lower property taxes than a $300,000 house. This can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually.
Connecting with Nature
If you’re looking for a home that offers a closer connection to nature, a yurt might be perfect for you.
Yurts are known for their open, airy feel. Unlike traditional homes, which often isolate you from the sounds and sights of the natural world, yurts allow you to hear the wind and rain, reconnecting you to the environment around you.
The round structure, complete with a skylight, lets you gaze at the stars — or even the Northern Lights if you’re lucky enough to live in a place like Alaska.
For those seeking a more immersive experience in nature, this can be a major perk.
The Drawbacks: Financing, Permits, and Heating
Of course, no living structure is perfect.
One of the biggest challenges with yurts is securing financing.
Because they’re non-traditional homes, many banks won’t offer loans for yurts. This can make it difficult for some people to afford the upfront cost, even though they are much cheaper than standard homes.
Similarly, securing building permits for yurts can be a hurdle, especially in more urban or regulated areas.
Yurts don’t always meet modern insulation requirements, which can complicate the permitting process.
Inspectors may be hesitant to approve a structure that doesn’t conform to standard building codes.
Another downside to yurt living is insulation.
Yurts typically don’t hold heat as well as traditional homes, and you’ll likely spend more on heating costs.
In colder climates, you might burn significantly more wood or run your heater more frequently to keep the space warm.
This is something to consider if you’re planning to live in a particularly cold area.
However, many people weigh the increased heating costs against the savings in construction and maintenance, and for them, it’s still a smart financial decision.
While heating costs may increase by hundreds of dollars annually, this pales in comparison to the savings on the initial construction.
When you consider the difference between spending $30,000 on a yurt versus $300,000 or more on a traditional home, many people feel it’s worth the trade-off.
Handling Humidity
Humidity can also be an issue in yurts, especially in warmer, more humid climates.
While yurts are generally well-ventilated structures, it’s essential to maintain good airflow to prevent moisture buildup.
By maintaining proper ventilation, you can avoid the issues that come with excess moisture, like mold and mildew.
The Bear Question
Now, let’s talk about bears. For those living in areas with a high bear population, the question of whether a yurt offers enough protection from wildlife is a legitimate concern.
While a determined bear can break into just about any building, including a traditional house, there are precautions you can take to minimize the risk.
The key is to keep your food secure and avoid leaving any scraps that might attract animals. In extreme cases, installing an electric fence around your yurt can be highly effective in deterring wildlife.
Bears quickly learn to avoid areas that shock them, so if you’re in bear country, this added layer of protection can give you peace of mind.
Final Thoughts: Is a Yurt Right for You?
So, is living in a yurt right for you?
It’s a question that depends on your priorities. If you’re looking for an affordable, low-maintenance, and portable housing option that brings you closer to nature, a yurt might be the perfect choice.
However, if you’re someone who values the stability and insulation of a traditional home, or if you live in an area with strict building codes, a yurt may not be the best fit. The challenges with financing, permitting, and heating are real.
Let us know your thoughts! Could you see yourself living in a yurt?
Share your opinions in the comments below.
If you’d like to learn more, check out my other blogs.
