Intro to Varied Accommodations

Accommodations come in a myriad of forms, catering to diverse lifestyles and personal preferences. This article explores the myriad of places people choose to call home or stay in, from meticulously designed DIY homes to the freedom of vanlife. Whether it's a cozy bungalow, a luxurious poolside massage room, or a simple shed, each accommodation reflects a unique story and experience.

Living in a DIY Home

My journey began with a valuable lesson in home construction. I was fortunate enough to buy land and construct my own home, a project that was both fun and smooth. We selected premium Italian brick with double insulation, ensuring thermal comfort throughout the year. The house is a solid construction of reinforced concrete, designed for long-term durability.

Personal touches like a stairwell designed to drop by two steps added height to our living room, and an additional loft space provided extra room. We even utilized leftover bricks to create a pathway and a brick pizza oven. The entire project spanned eight months, culminating in a one-bedroom house with a loft, two bathrooms, and an open garage - perfect for my family and my Weimaraner, a 13-year-old dog who no longer enjoyed climbing stairs. This house is expected to be a family cornerstone for generations to come.

Urban Apartment Life

After completing my home, I ventured into a different kind of living in a two-storey apartment on the 22nd floor in a large complex in Beijing. The apartment offers expansive views and is part of a complex that includes a five-acre park at its center. The apartment design is minimalistic, with a small but functional layout consisting of a bedroom, a wet room, a kitchen, and a living room. The space is efficient, but adaptable to the needs of its residents.

Elderly Bungalow Living

Recently, I stayed in a small bungalow designed for the elderly, even though I am not part of that demographic. The bungalow has four rooms, sufficient for a solitary lifestyle. Despite the unconventional living situation, the internet access in every room provided a modern touch to an older-style home. A significant part of my time was spent in a massive shed, which I named Kelverley Lodge. Much larger than any of the rooms in the bungalow, this shed provided me with the necessary space for crafting and light relaxation. The internet connection was inconsistent, but it served as an additional source of entertainment and creativity.

Experiencing Outdoor Living

Moving away from the structured indoor living, I found myself nestled in a canopy with children, jumping on a trampoline at a cousin's property. This outdoor living was an escape from the rigidity of indoor lifestyles, offering a different level of freedom and joy. The arrangement allowed me to be near my own house, just behind it.

Vanlife and Its Allure

The most recent period of my life has been spent in a pub, a spot where I can easily go without a fixed address. This phase will soon transition to life in a van, a nomadic existence that offers the freedom of wherever the road takes you. The van will be my home for a while, offering a sense of adventure and the luxury of whatever location I end up in.

A Luxurious Retreat

At times, I find myself in a luxurious massage room, undergoing a weekly massage session. The masseur, who claims to have once worked in the adult film industry, is skilled and offers a unique form of relaxation. The experience is not only physical but also mentally rejuvenating, making it a weekly highlight of my varied living situations.

From DIY home construction to extensive travel, through the comfort of a bungalow and the unpredictability of vanlife, each accommodation tells a story of personal choice and preference. These varied living situations offer different perspectives on what it means to live and find comfort in a place.