Ask HN: Do not rent and live in basements

If you do not own a house, please try not to live in a basement. I have rented a basement for 10 years. I never get to see what's happening outside, the weather, the traffic, the people, the nature etc.

If you are young, learn from my mistake. If you are not at the stage where you can buy a house, take different steps.

Avoid basement. It leaves a severe mental scar on you for lifetime.

What you're saying is just plain wrong.

You're not a super old person stuck in a chair that needs to see things from the inside. Go outside.

If you are young, you should view the place you are living as your basecamp to sleep so you can go out and explore your world - not look at it through a window.

Plus basement dwellings tend to be cheaper in which you can use the extra money you save for exploring.

Here is an interesting analysis of the film Parasite which underlines the basement conundrum.

https://youtu.be/AvO8-925Edc?t=214

There are a lot of NYC apartment that also do not have windows at all. Priced at $2k and above.

NYC leaves a severe mental scar on me (not just windows, but everything pretty much), yet I am still here because I need the money.

Some people have no choice. In NYC, basement apartments are the only units you can find for under $1000/month. If you're an immigrant new to the US, if you're trying to find your footing after a tragedy, or if you're a new graduate looking for your first job after school-- it works as a (hopefully temporary) solution.

Lived in a basement apartment as a child for a decade. I came out fine. But yes, would certainly not recommend if there are alternatives.