I live in a 97-square-foot micro-apartment in Paris. Tiny living comes with pros and cons that I didn't expect.

I've been surprised by how much I like living in a small space, but there are definite downsides, too. Naydeline Mejia I live in a 97-square-foot micro-apartment in Paris, and I like it much more than I expected. My space feels cozy, and I've been saving money on rent and shopping more intentionally. On the other hand, the lack of privacy is hard, and I miss hosting friends and family. When I moved into my 97-square-foot micro-apartment in the fall of 2025, it was supposed to be temporary. Unaccustomed to minimalist living , I gave myself a deadline of three months to find a larger place better suited to my lifestyle as a 20-something expat. However, after a few months, I adapted to the pseudo-communal living style of Paris's charming "chambre de bonne" apartments. Sure, I share a toilet with my neighbors, and I often have to awkwardly greet them while heading to the shower — but I get to live in central Paris for a staggeringly affordable rent. So, three months became six, and I kept pushing my deadline until I decided that I actually don't mind my kitchen being two feet away from my bed. After nine months of living in a micro-apartment, I can honestly say it's become one of my favorite places I have ever called home. At the same time, there are certain conveniences of larger living that I've had to forgo. These are the biggest pros and cons of living in a Parisian micro-apartment. I've been more intentional about shopping When I'm about to buy something new, I ask myself if I really need it. Naydeline Mejia Because I don't have a lot of floor space, I'm encouraged to live a more minimalist lifestyle as a way to avoid clutter. I don't like it when my home feels cramped, so I'm often reorganizing the space to make the most of it. I feel less inclined to make unnecessary purchases, too. Before buying something new, I now ask myself: Is this a need or a want? Is my desire for this object worth the space it would take up in my small home? This way of thinking has saved me a lot of money on otherwise optional purchases. It provides a cozy atmosphere There are times I wish I had more space, but I also appreciate the coziness of a small room, especially since I live alone. It doesn't take much time or effort to turn my home into a cozy environment for relaxing and sleeping — I'll spritz some lavender spray and turn on a good Netflix series , and fall right asleep. I often think that if I lived in a larger space all by myself, I might feel less comfortable and safe, not to mention lonely. I'm able to save money to put toward experiences Because my rent is so low — 550 euros, which is about $630 monthly, with utilities included — I'm able to save a significant amount of money, which I can use for travel and other hobbies. Growing up in New York City, where the majority of city-dwellers spend 30% or more of their income on housing , living so affordably in a major European city feels like a luxury. As a result of spending less on housing, I'm able to put my extra income toward pricier activities I enjoy, like fitness classes , travel, and dining out. On the other hand, the lack of space makes it harder to compartmentalize There's very little space between my kitchen and my bed. Naydeline Mejia In my micro-apartment, there really is no separation between my bedroom, home office, and dining area. When you walk through my front door, you'll see my bed on the left and my small kitchen on the right, which includes a small floating desk where I usually dine and work. Because my bed is quite literally two feet away from my kitchen, it often feels like I'm having dinner in my bedroom every night — and because my small desk is the only seating area in my apartment apart from my bed, it can be hard to compartmentalize downtime from working hours. Additionally, since my kitchenette doesn't have a ton of counter space and storage, I often lack the motivation to cook. I'm ordering in more than I used to, which has become an added expense. As someone who is quite active, it's also tough not having enough floor space to stretch comfortably, let alone practice a 45-minute yoga routine. As a result, I've had to invest in a gym membership so I can exercise comfortably. Entertaining guests feels impossible Although I'm aware that some couples choose to live together in micro-apartments , I personally feel self-conscious inviting a friend or partner to my 97-square-foot space. In my opinion, the room isn't large enough to comfortably accommodate more than one person, so any social activities like sharing dinner or playing a board game can feel suffocating. I've also grown accustomed to leaving the room to use the shared toilet in the hallway, but I worry it might feel awkward for people who are used to more privacy. As someone who grew up in a large household where my parents always kept their door open to friends and family, I sometimes wish I had a large enough space to host game nights with friends or invite a date over for dinner. The lack of privacy can be tough Sometimes, I feel like I'm living in a college dorm room. Naydeline Mejia A major con of living in a Parisian "chambre de bonne" is the lack of privacy. Although I do have my own individual bedroom, I have to share a toilet with two other neighbors and step outside into the hallway to take a shower. It often feels like I'm living in a college dorm room again. On the flip side, however, I do enjoy living in close quarters with my neighbors. I get to enjoy the social perks of having roommates, without sharing my actual living space. Because we live in such tight proximity, I've found it easier to get to know my neighbors and build community with my floormates. Recently, a new neighbor promised to invite everyone on our floor for couscous once he has settled in — something that never happened when I lived in my first apartment in Paris, where mine was the only unit on my floor. Although living in a micro-apartment has some major downsides, I wouldn't trade it — or the ability to pursue the lifestyle I want in my dream city — for a larger home. Read the original article on Business Insider