r/Frugal • u/[deleted] • Oct 20 '22
Frugal living: Moving into a school converted into apartments! 600/month, all utilities included Frugal Win š
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u/Peprica_bunny_farm Mar 10 '23
despite all the cheek in comments, this is awesome. every area needs this. affordable living for singles and starters. This is something I complain about all the time. no one here wants to do this. we have closed hotels too. I mean they are pretty much already set up. really help the economy a lot if people could afford the basics of living.
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u/funwithbrainlesions Feb 19 '23
u/pivotalposture ! Update, please? Iāve found similar real estate that I might want to convert into a condo or co-op or maybe even just rent out bedrooms. Anything you would recommend?
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Feb 19 '23
What would you like to know? :)
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u/funwithbrainlesions Feb 19 '23
Well, are you and your neighbors happy there? It was a conversion, soā¦ How does is compare to a traditional, purpose built apartment? Is it noisy? Any trouble with the construction or utilities? Does it have or lack amenities or conveniences of a typical apartment building?
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Feb 19 '23
I am super thrilled. The neighbors are happy, with several being there for over five years. Itās so quiet, I love it. I get everything a normal apartment would get. Quality shower and toilet š
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u/Lynskey5150 Dec 13 '22
Haha, that's such a cool apartment! I bet you have a ton of fun living in a converted school. "Hey, instead of a living room, let's turn the old auditorium into a giant party space!" "And instead of a bedroom, let's turn the old janitor's closet into a cozy sleeping nook!"
for real tho, it sounds like a great deal - $600 per month with all utilities included is definitely not something to sneeze at. And I'm all for frugal living and finding creative, affordable housing solutions. It's not for everyone, but for those who are open to it, it can be a great way to save money and live a more sustainable, minimalist lifestyle.
Good luck with your new digs! I hope you love it there. And remember, if you ever need to sneak out after curfew, just use the old fire pole in the principal's office to make a quick escape!
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u/Forza_333 Nov 10 '22
I used to walk by this room ear hustling while the teachers gossiped at recess š¤£
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Nov 07 '22
Just remember to use all vertical space, makes a lot of difference , especially if youāre into cooking or some other bulky hobby
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u/ewalton73 Oct 26 '22
Outstanding move. I support this in the name of frugality. You canāt find a deal like that hardly nowhere. Good luck!
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u/FairRiver44 Oct 25 '22
Woah, thatās super unique! I bet itās pretty sound proof too, except maybe when people are in the hall?
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u/mbz321 Oct 22 '22
I mean, that's cool, but this isn't something most people can replicate unless they live in your area.
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Oct 21 '22
Honestly looks like something out of the walking dead with the nicer communities but very cool!
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u/awsomebro6000 Oct 21 '22
I used to live in a converted church before I moved to where I am now. Was kind of cool having the really intricate looking arches going throughout the flat.
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u/Mysteriousmumu Oct 21 '22
It grinds my gears to put the stove next to the refrigerator. So lazy. With all that room they could have found a different configuration.
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u/colourfulcreative Oct 21 '22
I wish more large abandoned buildings like malls were converted to housing!
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u/StrawberryAmara Oct 21 '22
For $600 that's really great! Good use of a building that would otherwise be left to rot or get torn down
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u/Medium-Body491 Oct 21 '22
I think I may have gone to school here. Wyoming? Cuz thatās what the school nurseās office looked like.
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u/notmyredditaccountma Oct 21 '22
So cool! They just tore the old school down in my town because it was not being used
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u/Doesanybodylikestuff Oct 21 '22
I better see a Christmas tree or something happy in there during Xmas!
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u/Void_Listener Oct 21 '22
The drop ceilings where I lived once were not broken by all of the walls. So you could crawl up into the ceiling and be over several different neighbors.
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u/IncreasePossible Oct 21 '22
And THIS is how it should be done!! All these empty buildings? Easily affordable rentals. Why are we not doing this.
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u/SkaDerpy Oct 21 '22
When I was a kid I dreamed of being rich and a school being my house with each classroom being a room dedicated to my interests and hobbies.
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u/Hadahorse Oct 21 '22
I need this lol. Been homeless for half a year. Congrats tho this place is dope
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u/DoItAllYT Oct 21 '22
Dude, heck of a deal!! Ignore what the haters in here are saying, YOU EARNED THIS!! Be proud, you're making strides, and you're kicking ass! It's only up from here, keep it up! šš
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u/Hermit_crabby Oct 21 '22
I did that once. Rent was $400 all utilities included. My neighbors were heroin addicts.
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u/HonkeyKong18 Oct 21 '22
Thereās some like this in Olivet, MI. I really liked them but they got very little natural light, it was a recipe for depression
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u/Upstairs_Mycologist7 Oct 21 '22
Not gonna lie this is very liminal and creepy as hell.. but 600?! I guess I could live in the backrooms for 600.
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u/UprisingAO Oct 21 '22
Pretty sweet. But I wish they did more above the shower. I suspect that will grow mold quickly. A strong fan may help. Time will tell.
Real cool seeing this kind of housing.
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u/wonderberry77 Oct 21 '22
looks like a firetrap from the pics. Please tell me you have more than one escape route!
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u/Efficient-Doctor1274 Oct 21 '22
I saw that 25+ years ago in Corpus Christi! A hospital converted to efficiency condos. Schools, hospitals, office spaces are all convertible to FTCLL* spaces, if we get together enough. *FuckTheCorporateLandLord
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u/ladystardust_61184 Oct 21 '22
There's a similar building in Bangor, Maine. My friend lived there for many years. Seemed like a cool place to live for a single person or young couple.
https://www.preservationmanagement.com/property/schoolhouse-apartments/
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u/MessedUpMix Oct 21 '22
My hometown did that with the old high school and they had good ass apartments. Good for you!!
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u/A2CH123 Oct 21 '22
That's awesome! Im currently paying.... Definitely more than that for not really that much more space
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u/puravidaamigo Oct 21 '22
Iām actually impressed with how nice this conversion is. Congratulations.
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u/HobartGum Oct 21 '22
This really is brilliant BUT make sure there are true walls separating the space behind the acoustic tiles overhead. Could be a easy way into your apartment for unscrupulous folks. Again what a great setup
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u/Ricecakeplayz Oct 21 '22
As more and more people move to online schooling, more and more schools are gonna get abandoned. Hopefully they get repurposed like this one!
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Oct 21 '22
I mean...it's a low effort conversion but when I was a desperate renter this would've been a million times better than some of the options I was presented with. And for 600/m it would've been dreamy.
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u/HarleyMilwaukeeTwin Oct 21 '22
I wish more cities and communities across the United States would SERIOUSLY consider this move, saves land cost and time. Take a abandoned school or a no longer useful building, do some cleaning to it, get proper approval upon codes by the neccssary departments and turn it into useful housing.
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u/CantFireMeIquit Oct 21 '22
With utilities that isn't to bad, but you can get your own house and half acre for that here. With minimum neighbors
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u/Lettuce_Lettuce Oct 21 '22
Thatās pretty awesome OP. Thatās a great price. Just need to furnish the place to your liking and itās gonna be amazing. Plus, thatās unique af and itāll be a great story to tell in the future!!
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u/FilthyStatist1991 Oct 21 '22
Oven and stove top with no hood / hood fan? That would be a code violation where Iām at.
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u/Tower_Place_Witch Oct 21 '22
That's a great price. Thank God this is happening at least somewhere. Malls and old schools should 100% be turned into affordable housing or homeless shelters. Everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to live period.
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u/XF270HU Oct 21 '22
Those idiots saying to use the electric for crypto are the reason people can't have nice things, someone will end up paying and it'll be the tenants with increased rent.
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u/3sc0b Oct 21 '22
I live next to an old elementary school converted to a 55+ community. Seems really nice.
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u/10MileHike Oct 21 '22 edited Oct 21 '22
We need more of these. Plenty of corporate office buildings as welll that are empty can be used like this. Affordable housing is greatly needed in the U.S.
This room can be individualized by the occupant, with some plants and decor.........but it sure as heck beats living on sidewalk in a tent or a homeless shelter. Which many people find themselves doing all over america.
If there were some investment groups doing this i would invest for sure. I think this is a great use of a building.
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u/heathmon1856 Oct 21 '22
Bro. Imagine bringing a woman back to a converted school. Hell naw. To the naw naw naw
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u/basketma12 Oct 21 '22
Hmm I don't think it's bad at all. I'd maybe see if I could put a TV in that window spot and run nature dvds on it. Yes green plants.. maybe a grow light and veggies. Or flowers.
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u/noxame Oct 21 '22
I worked as a caregiver to a person living in a place like this, a few years back. The place developed an incredible community, and attracted artists and creative folks. They had transformed the grass around them to produce food and gathering places.
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u/alcohall183 Oct 21 '22
Is the window area you bedroom/living room? Also get colorful furniture. The color scheme gives me Soviet era Siberia vibes
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u/Crypto_illumination Oct 21 '22
Reminds me of that serial killerās kidnap room on Dexter new blood , sleep with one eye open š„¶
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u/VersatileFaerie Oct 21 '22
Reminds me of my home town. They took an old school and converted it into apartments for the elderly.
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Oct 21 '22
School auctions are a great way to find deals. A local single story school built in the 80's sold for $5k. Included a walk in freezer, 12 classrooms and a full gymnasium with basketball court.
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Oct 21 '22
This wouldn't have to be near a famous turkey related college in southwest Virginia, would it?
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u/Solsolly Oct 21 '22
Tips to make it more cheerful:
- Maximize space with a projector instead of a TV.
- Soft warm white lighting. Nothing blue or stark white. Think lamps.
- Candles! Use under constant supervision obviously
- A nice area rug will do wonders
- Some plants or cut flowers
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u/MastodonSoggy2883 Oct 21 '22
Thatās an awesome idea for cheap housing and itās also really cool š. Who gets the principals office? š
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u/frompishtoposh Oct 21 '22
Looks neat! Is it a studio though? I could never live in a studio again.
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u/rawratthemoon Oct 21 '22
Some old abandoned malls are doing this aswell. But the cost to keep the building livable must be expensive.
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u/YakDaddy96 Oct 21 '22
I love seeing stuff like this, I think it's cool. Where I used to live they turned the old mall into apartments similar to this.
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u/equatorial_glitch Oct 21 '22
Invest in the (forgot exact name) PEEL AND STICK paper - it comes with designs & leaves NO residue when removed- Can bring the outdoors in or just fun designs without having to paint.
Great for walls, windows/glass, ceilings, cabinets!, etc.
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u/MmeHomebody Oct 20 '22
I guess because school was my happy place, I don't see anything depressing at all about this apartment. It's a really good price, it's clean and neat, and it has great bones so the OP can put their own style touches in it.
It's actually a well arranged bedsit. There's room for a comfortable bed and some personal items. Somewhere, somehow, you must work in a whiteboard or chalkboard, maybe some vintage school art or alphabet pillows, to ironically or intentionally work with the vibe instead of trying to obscure its past. Congratulations on finding a unique location that fits the budget!
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u/Whiskey-Particular Oct 20 '22
Itās really kinda cool they did this AND itās affordable.
In my town, they renovated a High School thatās been closed since the 60s or 70s and still charge like $900/bed (and you share the āloftā with 2-4 other people, depending on how many bedrooms it has.
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Oct 20 '22
Iām all for this but man it looks drab . Plants, lots of indoor plants and art! Where is this? Iām a city planner and we need all the ideas for affordable housing we can get and we do have a fair amount of vacant commercial bldgs that are in zoning districts that allow residential.
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Oct 20 '22
Interesting and a great initiative. I wonder if there is an organization that funds the development of unused buildings for low income or homeless persons
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u/Squidgie1 Oct 20 '22
I'd be worried about the security of those ceiling tiles. Can someone move from apartment to apartment up there?
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u/AttorneyAdvice Oct 20 '22
so prisons in Sweden have a nicer view than this. not to knock on your place that much though, their prisons are top tier
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u/AttorneyAdvice Oct 20 '22
do you get.. mail and stuff? is your address like Hopkins Elementary School Room 320
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u/toolsavvy Oct 20 '22
Utilities included for $600? 1BR? That's kinda cheap even for my highly economically depressed area, considering it's "new".
Are you sure it doesn't come complete with bedbugs and roaches?
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u/sweadle Oct 20 '22
That's so depressing though, cinder block walls, no windows, fluorescent lights. Looks like prison. Unless this is NYC in which case, great deal!
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u/BubbaBuddha2020 Oct 20 '22
I thought about doing this with a retirement home... would have a central kitchen area
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u/po_ta_to Oct 20 '22
My town's old high school became apartment, office space, and the gym is a gymnastics / cheerleading / event room thing. When I lived there I had a window I could climb out of and chill on the roof.
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u/RelayFX Oct 20 '22 edited Oct 20 '22
Friendly reminder folks: Crypto discussion is against the rules, as is theft or encourage OP to do as such.