I've spent 5 years living in a tiny home and 2 years in a camper van. Here's how they compare — and which is my favorite.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Author Amber McDaniel sitting in chair in tiny. home with cup of coffee, smiling
Trading living in a van for residing in a 400-square-foot tiny house didn't solve everything, but it finally gave us what the road couldn't.

Amber McDaniel

Backyard tiny homes are finally legal in New York City. They could be a boon for homeowners who can afford construction.

Tech Insider : Business
An ecological living module, a 22-square-meter 'tiny house,' is on display at the United Nations Plaza in New York City.
Thousands of New York City homeowners are finally eligible to build a tiny home, or accessory dwelling unit, in their backyards.

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

I spent 2 nights in a 2-story, 100-square-foot tiny home in Germany. It was much smaller than any I've seen in the US.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Cylindrical homes on a flat property with buildings in the background
Business Insider's reporter stayed at a cylindrical tiny home hotel in Germany and was impressed by its smart use of the 100-square-foot space.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've loved living in a tiny home for the past 3 years — but I know I can't and won't live this way forever

Tech Insider : Business
Author Elin Schmidt standing on deck at tiny home
Living in my tiny-home community in California has changed my life for the better, but I'm not sure I can see myself staying here forever.

Elin Schmidt

New York City's narrowest home is on the market for $4.195 million — and it's only 9.5 feet wide

Tech Insider : Business
A famously narrow townhouse at 7 1/2 Bedford Street.
The townhouse at 7 1/2 Bedford Street.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Five years of living in a tiny home taught me that the biggest sacrifices had nothing to do with space or stuff

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Author Amber McDaniel sitting at small dining table
Tiny living has changed my perspective on socializing and reshaped how I connect with others.

Amber McDaniel

These modern homes are built in a factory, installed in backyards, and cost as little as $95,000 — take a look inside

Tech Insider : Business, Style
villa home in LA backyard
The Kantor family sits outside their completed ADU in their LA backyard

Courtesy of Villa

I've spent 7 years living in a tiny home and a camper van. It's taught me how to be a smarter shopper and better saver.

Tech Insider : Business
Author Amber McDaniel sitting on steps of tiny home
By spending almost a decade living tiny, I've learned how to be a savvy, mindful consumer.

Amber McDaniel

A cross between tiny homes and van life could help solve America's shortage of affordable starter homes

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Julie Lennox outside her tiny home on wheels near Missoula, Montana.
Julie Lennox outside her tiny home on wheels near Missoula, Montana.

Courtesy of Julie Lennox

This futuristic tiny home looks like a spaceship and feels like a 5-star hotel. See inside.

Tech Insider : Business
A futuristic, metal tiny home in the center of a forest.
The Pebl Grand tiny cabin, designed by Hello Wood.

Courtesy of György Palkó

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