What I’m reading here has mostly to do with energy efficiency and not with safety.

That’s the way. My interior walls all have insulation. Drywall guys didn’t like it. I also insulated the garage ceiling , which almost nobody does. Cast iron tub because what difference $250 in material will make when paying $1000 in labor regardless of the type of tub? Lol I went with better materials and people love my house. It cost me 400k to build this way, builders grade was going to cost me almost 500k if I hired a GC. house is 3/3.5/2 2633 SF, vaulted ceilings, custom cabinets/closets, quartz countertops with waterfall island, toto fixtures, jetted cadt iron tub fir 2 on master bath, 18 x 8 garage door, solar panels, paver driveway for 6 cars.

I think they meant new construction. I own a few houses and built my primary 3 years ago. They definitely don’t make them ad they used to. That’s why I built mine myself.

I understand. My house has framed interior walls with drywall, but exterior walls are concrete blocks filled with concrete. All impact windows good for Cat 4 hurricane, 6" concrete slab with big footing on the perimeter. Reinforced roofing frame also.

I built it myself as builders either didn’t want to do it this strong or were charging me a lot of money for it. But I know my house is not representative of the average US built house.

Did the person say what the major hazards would be?

I built my own house here in Florida 3 years ago, and I think it is super strong and safe. But I come from a place where some people literally build “cardboard houses” under pass overs. OTOH, I’m a co tractor and have been in the US for over 2 decades, so I know a bit about construction. I’m just curious about what they think is unsafe.

Anybody else’s experience will be different from yours.

What are you really asking here?

You have to consider your budget for the stay and see if it is enough for the standard of living you expect to have. Maybe saying what your budget is and asking for feedback on how far that will get you, would make it for a better post.

If you are concerned with not having money enough without doing illegal work, I’d suggest you build up your travel funds before taking the plunge. Otherwise, just decide if you will be able/willing to live on a tight budget if needed or able/willing to work illegally to make up for the difference.