"18 Beds, 2 Bathrooms"... Where Is This Place With Rent at a Quarter of the Usual Price?

Moved to an Underground Bunker to Escape High Rent
Paying Only a Quarter of the Average Monthly Rent in California

A story from the United States has drawn attention after it was revealed that a woman is living in an underground bunker to save on soaring housing costs.

According to a recent report by the New York Post, a woman named Caitlyn Johnson moved from New York to California in April last year and has since been renting and living in an underground bunker located in her friend's backyard for $500 per month (approximately 680,000 KRW).

Entrance to the underground bunker where Caitlyn Johnson resides. Photo by New York Post

This bunker features not only essential living spaces such as a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and living room, but also has a relatively spacious layout with 18 bunk beds, two separate toilets, and a shower room. The bunker was originally built by the previous homeowner and was discovered by Caitlyn's friend after purchasing the house in 2022.

Caitlyn was able to live there at a price significantly lower than the current market rate in exchange for managing the backyard and the bunker. She explained, "In California, even renting a studio typically costs $1,500 to $2,000 per month (about 2 million to 2.7 million KRW)," adding, "By living in the bunker, I save about $1,500 every month."

Although the underground setting is different from typical living environments, she said, "It's quiet, and I have no trouble with phone reception or Wi-Fi, so there are no inconveniences in daily life." She also noted that the lack of natural light actually helps her sleep better.

However, she pointed out that losing track of time is a drawback. She said, "There are two thick doors, one measuring 10 feet (about 3 meters) and the other 4 feet (about 1.2 meters). I keep them open during the day to let in natural light," adding, "It's a bit tough in winter, but since I spend a lot of time working outdoors, it doesn't cause much trouble."

Caitlyn remarked, "This may not be my forever home, but for now, I'm satisfied," recalling, "There was a time when I lived in a place in New York that was even worse than this bunker."

In the United States, during the 1950s and 1960s, as the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union intensified, a culture of building underground bunkers to prepare for nuclear attacks spread. At the time, civil defense authorities even recommended that ordinary households install air-raid shelters or bunkers.