Houses That Would Require Nerves of Steel to Live in
Castellfollit De La Roca in Catalonia, Spain
This building looks absolutely stunning perched on top of a cliff! The scene is both mysterious and beautiful, but you can’t help but feel a little nervous if you get too close to the edge. This is Castellfollit de la Roca, located in Catalonia, Spain. As you can see, some houses are built right on the edge, with their backyards facing the cliff!
The drop below is said to be up to 160 feet deep, which definitely makes you think twice about gardening at the bottom of those backyards—especially on windy days! Just imagine how scary it would be to have a gust of wind while you’re out there. Would you feel comfortable living in one of those houses, or would the height make you too anxious?
Southern Peak, Mount Hua in China
This image shows what’s often called the “world’s most dangerous hike,” located on the Southern Peak of Mount Hua in China. There are a few ways to reach this incredibly high point. If you want to skip a long trek, you can take the cable car straight to the top. But if you’re feeling adventurous, you might opt for the traditional route, which involves walking on wooden planks high up in the air—definitely scary, right?!
You can also tackle the steep stairs, like the ones shown in this picture. But beware: some people say the slope is so steep that it’s easy to slip and tumble down the mountain. Yikes! Just imagining that makes our hearts race. Would you dare to take on this hike, or would you rather stick to safer trails?
Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro Taktsang
The Paro Tiger’s Nest Monastery is perched a staggering 900 meters above the ground, right on the edge of a cliff in the beautiful Paro Valley of Bhutan. As you can imagine from the photo, getting to this monastery isn’t a walk in the park! There aren’t any modern safety measures in place, which adds to the challenge.
Hikers who have trekked this path often say that the biggest danger comes from the horses that ride up and down during peak seasons. When those horses come barreling downhill, it can be pretty intense, and it might just push hikers off the narrow path! It’s definitely a trek that requires caution. So, if you ever plan to visit, just remember to be careful! Would you be up for such an adventure, or would you prefer to admire the views from a safer distance?
Just Room Enough Island in New York
It’s easy to see why “Just Room Enough Island” might be considered a bit risky! This tiny island doesn’t have much property, and it’s situated really close to the St. Lawrence River. Honestly, we wouldn’t want to be in that house during a rainstorm—it seems like it would be a recipe for flooding! If you plan to visit, you might want to pack some life jackets just in case.
What’s interesting is that this island was bought back in the 1950s as a peaceful retreat. Over the years, it has transformed into a popular tourist spot. It’s kind of wild to think about how something that started as a quiet getaway has become a destination for visitors! Would you feel comfortable visiting this little island, or do you think you’d prefer somewhere a bit safer and drier?
The Hanging Monastery, Mount Heng in China
This picture shows the incredible Hanging Monastery, also known as Xuankong Si, located on Mount Heng in China. Monks built this stunning convent about 1,500 years ago in search of peace and quiet. As you can see, it dramatically overlooks a steep drop of around 250 feet!
There’s a legend that suggests the original construction of this ancient structure didn’t include beams at all! They say those beams were added later, possibly to make tourists feel a bit safer.
Now, we’re no architecture experts, but the idea of this abbey perched on a rugged rock face doesn’t exactly scream safety! Still, it has been standing for over a millennium, so it must be doing something right. Would you be brave enough to visit this fascinating place, or would the height make you too anxious?
Danakil Depression in Ethiopia
The Danakil Depression in Ethiopia is often considered one of the harshest places in the world to live. Temperatures regularly soar above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, except during the coldest parts of winter, making it one of the hottest spots on Earth! Plus, it only receives about eight inches of rain a year. On top of that extreme weather, earthquakes and volcanic activity are common in the area.
All of this adds up to a pretty risky environment for any buildings, making it a scary place to call home! I did a quick search and saw that some visitors have even referred to the Danakil Depression as the “gateway to hell.” That’s quite a title! Would you ever consider visiting, or does the idea of such an extreme environment make you think twice?
Dumpster Pad in New York City
I can see why you might think this is a joke! HGTV featured what they called an “apartment,” but it’s really just a converted dumpster. They advertised it as an “art deco hipster mini-apartment,” claiming it’s eco-friendly and sustainable. You’d have to fork over $1,200 a month to live in this “dump” (pun intended)!
Even though it’s marketed as a mini-apartment, it doesn’t seem to offer much protection from the weather or any potential dangers. Plus, there’s always the chance that people might mistake your home for a dumpster, which is just gross! It’s hard to imagine feeling comfortable in a place like that. Would you ever consider living in a converted dumpster, or does that idea sound way too out there for you?
Meteora Monasteries in Greece
For those who aren’t familiar, Meteora is a stunning group of rock formations near the Greek village of Kalampaka, and it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name “Meteora” translates from Greek to “suspended in air,” which perfectly describes how high these incredible temples are perched!
While there are many temples in Meteora, only a few still have monks or nuns living in them, which is a bit unsettling when you see the abandoned ones. It really adds to the atmosphere of the place!
You can drive part of the way, but to reach one or two of the sites, you’ll need to walk across a footbridge that spans a chasm. If you’re afraid of heights, you might want to think twice about this adventure! Just imagining that view can be both breathtaking and nerve-wracking! Would you dare to explore Meteora, or would the height make you too anxious?
Leaning Towers of Santos in Brazil
We can’t imagine anyone feeling truly safe living in one of Santos’s leaning towers! When these towers were constructed, it seems there weren’t many building regulations in place, which likely explains why they tilt in that direction. The builders probably didn’t dig as deeply into the sandy ground for the foundations as they would need to today, which could be a big part of the problem.
While some of these towers have received safety repairs over the years, it looks like not all of them have been updated, leaving lingering concerns about their stability. It’s a bit unsettling to think about living in a place that might not be entirely safe! Would you take the risk to stay in one of these leaning towers, or would you prefer to play it safe in a more stable building?
