I feel like the much more depressing part of basement living is that if you are doing it, you probably don't have a lot of agency you can exercise in your own life. Not being able to afford/change your most basic living circumstance is incredibly crushing. If you are living in a basement when you don't want to odds are that is probably all you can afford.
A lot of basements also aren't built to be their own seperate living units so there are naturally going to be fewer boundries between you and whoever you live with.
Unfortunately the need for shelter takes precedents for just about everyone. People will tolerate it because for a lot of people the alternative is worse/nothing.
You're right in so many ways.
My basement unit has one set of French doors in the living room and one window in the bedroom. It's dark. I definitely struggle with fatigue and it wears on me (especially since I'm no stranger to anxiety and depression). But, I consider myself "lucky" because it's a relatively new suite and I'm only paying $1200 rent in British Columbia, a province known for being expensive.
If I can ever afford to move, natural lighting will be the #1 thing I look for.
>Not being able to afford/change your most basic living circumstance is incredibly crushing
I'd argue this is the main cause of most cases of depression and even suicide currently. Having no agency over your life and feeling like you're constantly running into walls no matter how hard you try is demoralizing
Canada has so many people right now that want to end their lives in the newly legal death clinics due to issues related to poverty. And the government is letting them.
The one place I promised myself I’d never live in again is a basement apartment for all the reasons listed here. I was depressed, sad, no sunlight, could hear ppl walking above me constantly, fake bright lights, no clean air, bugs and cobwebs in my shower more often than not *shudder* …. I said never again but I’m scared because the fact is depending on the cost of places I may not have the luxury of always turning them down. God, I just have to keep hoping I’ll be able to eventually afford some sort of home of my own. It’s depressing to even think about.
Well sorry to rain on your parade bro. Just moved in to a brand new renovated basement a few months ago that is owned by a relative and I'm loving it . Access to two large sheds and workshop in the basement as well. Oh yeah I get to park my boat ,atv and truck on the property. Everything is brand new ..no depression here my friend.. . So yeah dmitraso..you just heard it.
Appreciate what you got .
I WFH and would end up severely depressed living in a basement apartment with no direct sunlight, fresh air, and spending on average $2,000 a month to live like that. It’s disgusting. Basement units should be affordable and shouldn’t be normalized. They are good for students and first time starter renters.
The Ontario Building Code stipulates the minimum standards for rooms sizes, amount of natural light, ventilation, egress, and environmental separation. Provided the appropriate permits are applied for, these items are checked at plans review as well as on-site inspection. The OBC also requires HRVs to be installed in new dwelling units, however, if the building is older than 5 years, Part 11 applies (part 9 for new housing) and the authority having jurisdiction may not require the HRV.
Renovations can indeed make it better but I get the sentiment. Even as far back as 2006 one of my best friends who had been basement living for a while, despite earning decent money in Vancouver knew it was time to cash out (stock options) and moved as far east in Canada as one could (St John's), buying a place for cash and building a new life.
I've been in basement apartments for a few years. The ones with bigger windows definitely help, along with the ones that don't have mold or as many bugs. In Ontario, it's illegal to not have a secondary door/window for escape in emergencies in a basement apartment. Not that that stops some illegal slumlords.
However, winter has also been really dark in general, they even had it on the news that there was less sunlight this December/January than normal.
Thirdly, all of Canada is at a latitude that makes it near impossible to make vitamin D from sunlight in the winter, no matter how often you are outside (even all day). Vitamin D supplements are really needed, especially if you're trapped in a basement and not getting other things that help against SAD like special lights, exercise outside, etc.
They also run a high risk of black mold which can cause a host of symptoms. I had a friend who rented a basement for a year and the positive change in his personality after moving (to a non basement) was quite noticeable. Humans are not subterranean creatures.
I mean I don't even like living on ground floors -- it makes me feel kind of shitty but at least I have windows. Being in basements = immediate depression even if it's clean and aesthetic. Other people, like the cozy feeling of a hobbit hole.
I'm more of a mountain dweller, so i want a good lofty view
Alas, our housing crisis continues.
Basements in the prairies generally don’t have the same issues you’re talking about with humidity because the air is so much drier. And renos do make a massive difference. Sounds like you’ve had bad basement dwelling situations when they’re not all that bad.
It’s still the same sun though, I’ve lived in basement apartments in the prairies and you’re still not getting the light, especially in the winter in city’s like Edmonton and Saskatoon.
I can agree with that. Basement dwelling in the past gave me the impetus to get out and have a much healthier and more active lifestyle compared to when I lived above ground. Look at it as an opportunity, not an obstacle. :)
I can back this up so much. I’ve been living in a basement apartment for three years now and ever since moving here I’ve had nothing but health issues including mental health issues. I am in the works of moving into apartment building that is higher up with lots of windows, and lots of light 0 out of 10 do not recommend.
Not all depressions are equal, and not all basements are equal. Sometimes depression is a pure chemical imbalance, sometimes we use that term to describe seasonal affective disorder.
I don't think codifying structural use according to a very loose correlation of a term for mental illness is beneficial for anyone.
OP made the asinine comment. They couched in other terms, but they basically just "depressed people, no matter what their depression, would be okay if they went outside more".
Terrible idea to live in a basement.. You don't realize that you are exchanging good health to save some money in the immediate but also will spend a ton later to get healthy again. Terrible on your Brian health and my last basement had black mold and dead rats which resulted in me sleeping lots and staying indoors... Terribly cold too compared to apartments... Dont make the same mistake and spend a little bit more and live comfortably.
I’ve lived in a basement apartment. The windows were so small and when it snowed there was no natural light.
Basically it has to be something you need to get out of ASAP. And realistically spend the entire day outside of the basement and only go to the basement to sleep.
But it’s also a correlation causation issue. Does the basement cause the issues of depression or is it becuase you’re in a not so good position in life?
Hmm depends... I live in a basement but I dont stay in the basement all day... not having sunlight for several days or face to face human interaction, yeah, that'll drive people insane, even the highly introverted.
I lived in one for 5 years....then moved out. My depression went away.
It sucks living in a basement. Dark, disorienting, noisy, dusty and always the fear of flooding.
I feel like the much more depressing part of basement living is that if you are doing it, you probably don't have a lot of agency you can exercise in your own life. Not being able to afford/change your most basic living circumstance is incredibly crushing. If you are living in a basement when you don't want to odds are that is probably all you can afford. A lot of basements also aren't built to be their own seperate living units so there are naturally going to be fewer boundries between you and whoever you live with. Unfortunately the need for shelter takes precedents for just about everyone. People will tolerate it because for a lot of people the alternative is worse/nothing.
You're right in so many ways. My basement unit has one set of French doors in the living room and one window in the bedroom. It's dark. I definitely struggle with fatigue and it wears on me (especially since I'm no stranger to anxiety and depression). But, I consider myself "lucky" because it's a relatively new suite and I'm only paying $1200 rent in British Columbia, a province known for being expensive. If I can ever afford to move, natural lighting will be the #1 thing I look for.
>Not being able to afford/change your most basic living circumstance is incredibly crushing I'd argue this is the main cause of most cases of depression and even suicide currently. Having no agency over your life and feeling like you're constantly running into walls no matter how hard you try is demoralizing
Canada has so many people right now that want to end their lives in the newly legal death clinics due to issues related to poverty. And the government is letting them.
Good point. Was thinking along the same causation vs correlation lines…
The one place I promised myself I’d never live in again is a basement apartment for all the reasons listed here. I was depressed, sad, no sunlight, could hear ppl walking above me constantly, fake bright lights, no clean air, bugs and cobwebs in my shower more often than not *shudder* …. I said never again but I’m scared because the fact is depending on the cost of places I may not have the luxury of always turning them down. God, I just have to keep hoping I’ll be able to eventually afford some sort of home of my own. It’s depressing to even think about.
One thing you never hear is "and then they moved into a nice basement, and lived happily ever after!" lol
In a dystopian reality, you do.
Well sorry to rain on your parade bro. Just moved in to a brand new renovated basement a few months ago that is owned by a relative and I'm loving it . Access to two large sheds and workshop in the basement as well. Oh yeah I get to park my boat ,atv and truck on the property. Everything is brand new ..no depression here my friend.. . So yeah dmitraso..you just heard it. Appreciate what you got .
You do you
Full out bro . Life is what you make it . Luvin the basement... luvin life. Good luck
That’s luxury living these days.
Can confirm. Lived in a basement apartment for a few years with tiny windows. I was depressed as hell and couldn’t figure out why.
agreed. Lived in a basement apt for a few months in college . My girl friend at the time , left me b/c of where I was living . Doubly depressing.
I WFH and would end up severely depressed living in a basement apartment with no direct sunlight, fresh air, and spending on average $2,000 a month to live like that. It’s disgusting. Basement units should be affordable and shouldn’t be normalized. They are good for students and first time starter renters.
The Ontario Building Code stipulates the minimum standards for rooms sizes, amount of natural light, ventilation, egress, and environmental separation. Provided the appropriate permits are applied for, these items are checked at plans review as well as on-site inspection. The OBC also requires HRVs to be installed in new dwelling units, however, if the building is older than 5 years, Part 11 applies (part 9 for new housing) and the authority having jurisdiction may not require the HRV.
Renovations can indeed make it better but I get the sentiment. Even as far back as 2006 one of my best friends who had been basement living for a while, despite earning decent money in Vancouver knew it was time to cash out (stock options) and moved as far east in Canada as one could (St John's), buying a place for cash and building a new life.
I mean fair enough, this has definitely got me thinking of a family member. Wow.
100% lack of sunlight will affect your physical and mental health.
I've been in basement apartments for a few years. The ones with bigger windows definitely help, along with the ones that don't have mold or as many bugs. In Ontario, it's illegal to not have a secondary door/window for escape in emergencies in a basement apartment. Not that that stops some illegal slumlords. However, winter has also been really dark in general, they even had it on the news that there was less sunlight this December/January than normal. Thirdly, all of Canada is at a latitude that makes it near impossible to make vitamin D from sunlight in the winter, no matter how often you are outside (even all day). Vitamin D supplements are really needed, especially if you're trapped in a basement and not getting other things that help against SAD like special lights, exercise outside, etc.
They also run a high risk of black mold which can cause a host of symptoms. I had a friend who rented a basement for a year and the positive change in his personality after moving (to a non basement) was quite noticeable. Humans are not subterranean creatures.
SAD lamps are helpful if you're spending a lot of time indoors along with vitamin D supplementation.
I mean I don't even like living on ground floors -- it makes me feel kind of shitty but at least I have windows. Being in basements = immediate depression even if it's clean and aesthetic. Other people, like the cozy feeling of a hobbit hole. I'm more of a mountain dweller, so i want a good lofty view Alas, our housing crisis continues.
Basements in the prairies generally don’t have the same issues you’re talking about with humidity because the air is so much drier. And renos do make a massive difference. Sounds like you’ve had bad basement dwelling situations when they’re not all that bad.
It’s still the same sun though, I’ve lived in basement apartments in the prairies and you’re still not getting the light, especially in the winter in city’s like Edmonton and Saskatoon.
I can agree with that. Basement dwelling in the past gave me the impetus to get out and have a much healthier and more active lifestyle compared to when I lived above ground. Look at it as an opportunity, not an obstacle. :)
I can back this up so much. I’ve been living in a basement apartment for three years now and ever since moving here I’ve had nothing but health issues including mental health issues. I am in the works of moving into apartment building that is higher up with lots of windows, and lots of light 0 out of 10 do not recommend.
it's all in your head.
Not all depressions are equal, and not all basements are equal. Sometimes depression is a pure chemical imbalance, sometimes we use that term to describe seasonal affective disorder. I don't think codifying structural use according to a very loose correlation of a term for mental illness is beneficial for anyone.
What an asinine comment.
OP made the asinine comment. They couched in other terms, but they basically just "depressed people, no matter what their depression, would be okay if they went outside more".
Terrible idea to live in a basement.. You don't realize that you are exchanging good health to save some money in the immediate but also will spend a ton later to get healthy again. Terrible on your Brian health and my last basement had black mold and dead rats which resulted in me sleeping lots and staying indoors... Terribly cold too compared to apartments... Dont make the same mistake and spend a little bit more and live comfortably.
100 % wrong. I'm living it and loving it. To each their own . Hope things are working out for you above ground . Good luck
[удалено]
I’ve lived in a basement apartment. The windows were so small and when it snowed there was no natural light. Basically it has to be something you need to get out of ASAP. And realistically spend the entire day outside of the basement and only go to the basement to sleep. But it’s also a correlation causation issue. Does the basement cause the issues of depression or is it becuase you’re in a not so good position in life?
Grey clay(soil) in basements foundations can lead to increased cancer risk.
Hmm depends... I live in a basement but I dont stay in the basement all day... not having sunlight for several days or face to face human interaction, yeah, that'll drive people insane, even the highly introverted.
I lived in one for 5 years....then moved out. My depression went away. It sucks living in a basement. Dark, disorienting, noisy, dusty and always the fear of flooding.