Are You Ready to Join the Tiny House Movement in Retirement

The Tumbleweed Mica http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/products/mica is a one floor tiny house, with no loft and beautiful design. It is not pretty on the outside, but has a certain industrial charm - at least for me. It's pricey, though. Good design, and it almost reminds me of a small Scandinavian house.

I am living, and loving, the tiny house lifestyle, and have been doing so on a part time basis for the past 5 years!

Mr. Brady, thank you for creating this wonderfully informative website, which has provided me with a wealth of material to aid in my decision making as I approach retirement.

I own a park model home which is located in a seasonal RV resort in Wells, Maine. The park (an hour from my workplace in Manchester, NH, thus making an easy commute on my days off) features a number of great amenites: two pools, hot tubs, rec hall, playground, basketball, bocce, social events, and resident led activities.

I am an easy one mile walk to some of our country's most beautiful beaches, in an area ripe with educational, artistic, environmental and cultural activities. My days off are spent walking 5 miles along a beautuful beach as the sun rises or sets, with one of my many new friends from the park; exploring the 2400 acre estuary at Laudholm Farm; blissfully wandering around the Portland or Ogunquit Museums of Art, enjoying the Wyeth exhibit; planning day trips to the beautiful White Mountains of my home state of NH, or another visit to Maine's Botanical Gardens; sea kayaking from the harbor at Wells, watching seal pups at play; biking along the lovely coast, where every curve in the road brings a new visual delight; volunteering at our wonderful local library; hiking Mt. Agamenticus with a picnic lunch at the summit; enjoying the best breakfast at Merriland Farms Cafe, or dinner at a number of delightful restaurants from Portsmouth to Portland; or simply relaxing at what I lovingly refer to as 'my lil place' ... puttering in my gardens, watching the birds and chipmunks at play, reading or working out at the fitness center or pool, visiting with friends, preparing meals, entertaining, or planning my next adventure!!!

I came to this special, rich and wonderful place in my life slowly, and after a few bumps and bruises along life's journey. Once upon a time, I, like a number of baby boomers, 'lived the good life' .. well, that is, if the good life is defined by one's home and material goods. My former 14 room, 4800sf home was lovely, after years of renovations and additions, complete with a carriage house, inlaw apt, gunite pool with waterfall, extensive gardens .... blah blah blah .. alk the trappings of 'the good life' and full of 'stuff' ...but it was never a true 'home', full of love and happiness. Thus, losing it and the marriage 19 years ago were so incredibly freeing ... although it certainly didn't seem so at the time! When one is forced to work so hard to afford these things (I owned a small but successful real estate agency), that one has neither the time nor the energy to truly enjoy all that you are working for --- this is not a life!

So, for those of you who may be contemplating a tiny house or simple lifestyle, but then tell yourself, "Oh, I could never do that!", believe me, you can!! One of the best things about my park in Wells ... my wonderful neighbors, most of whom are married couples, and all of whom have welcomed me warmly, mown my lawn, cleaned my gutters, and made me feel as though I am part of their lives.

I have never been happier, more at peace, and fulfilled than I am at this stage in my life
.. and I am eagerly looking forward to retiring in a year or two! Then, I plan to purchase a 2 to 3 bedroom manufactured home in an over 55 community in the central or Gulf Coast region of Florida, seek a like minded new friend who may wish to rent a room at my second lil ... but larger ... place. My retirement life shall hopefully include all of the outdoor activities of my present active lifestyle, plus hopefully a return to school for my MEd, so that I might teach at the community college in Wells. I also plan to volunteer with various veteran's groups, the botanical gardens, library, and the art museums. Oh, and toss in a part time job in both Florida and Maine!

This informative website has been incredibly helpful to me as I plan my retirement ... which if my blessed good health and somewhat sound mind continue, shall be spending 5 months at my lil place in Wells, 5 months at my larger place in Florida, a month spent traveling this beautiful country each Fall (I still have the dream of exploring the national parks in a small RV, a popup, or even a tent!), and a month each Spring visiting Europe for the first time.

A full, rich, contented life, on a somewhat modest income, as a single baby boomer 67 year young female ... and due in large part to this great website!!

My sincere apologies for this lengthy note, but I cannot say enough great things about my lil life! As this is my first posting, I am not familiar with the rules, but if anyone wants further details, please feel free to write me at dmsd200@aol.com. I am heading off to work now, but promise to respond, and can even forward pictures to those who may be interested.

My suggestion to anyone considering this lifestyle ... try it, you'll love it!!!

My wife and I have been living in an 800 sq ft one bedroom co-op walk-up apartment on the third floor for the past twenty seven years. We will be up-sizing to a 1400 sq ft house. I want that second bathroom, guest bedroom and finally a backyard with barbeque.

I'm with you, Basil. I've lived in a home with less than 1200 sq. ft. (plus a basement) for the past 35 years. I'm ready for a home with lots of windows that feels spacious and allows the outdoors in as much as is possible. Two thousand sq. ft. sounds wonderful; maybe a little more if i can't find what i want in that size. As for those of you who want to live small or tiny, enjoy!

One thing that strikes me about having a tiny home, is that many people will be using a lot of gas to drive to other places to get to a more spacious environment. I like to be at home, and prefer to save on gas costs and the use of foreign oil as much as possible. Thus, my need for a larger home than either 'tiny' or 'small.' I think minimalist can come in many shapes and sizes.

Perhaps I was mistaken when referencing my lil place as tiny in my earlier posting. I posted my experience hoping to encourage people who have contemplated living a retirement which might allow for travel, educational and volunteering endeavors, yet who may not be entering retirement with the $1 million we've all been told is a requirement!

While my lil place may actually be 800 sf or so, I am able to easily sleep 8 adults. My place has a small front porch, dining area, two bedrooms (one with a four poster canopy bed), well planned kitchen with island open to a casual sitting/dining area, den with large couch and loveseat, and an open back porch. In addition, I have a nice sized yard, with lovely gardens, BBQ area, firepit and sitting areas. As Basil wrote in his posting, I cannot imagine having to walk up 3 stories numerous times daily ... and my lil place allows me to pull my car aside my place, unload groceries, putter in my gardens, and grille some delicious salmon while visiting with my great neighbors as they walk by.

Prior to buying my place, I thoroughly investigated condos in the region, and found them to be too controlling, limiting in yard area and privacy, and far too expensive for what they offered.

I do have a bit of claustrophobia in certain situations, yet my lil home is not one of them! I cannot imagine living in the truly tiny homes featured on the tv show and in magazines, where one has to climb a ladder to go to bed!! My place has two walls of windows, cathedral ceilings, and such a feeling of sunshine, light, and spaciousness that I never feel the need to leave ... which I would feel in a tiny home.

So, while I concur with Ella's comments on others feeling the need to drive to other places in order to experience spaciousness, please believe me when I say you can feel that way in my lil place.

When I retire, I want to escape the cold weather of NH, and thanks to this great website, I have learned that an affordable lifestyle in an over 55 community is available to us who are seeking that. My Florida home will be much larger, between 1200 to 1500sf ... and as a single person, that is truly all I shall need.

As Ella said, a minimalist lifestyle can come in all shapes and sizes, as the same can be said regarding people, and how they choose to spend their lives, and to find their personal joy, happiness and fulfillment. Wouldn't it truly be a boring world if we all thought, lived, and acted in precisely the same manner!

I didn't want the readers to think that I envision spending my golden years climbing a ladder every night to sleep. I much prefer to imagine myself climbing Machu Picchu!!

Hi Diane

I am in love with the designs of Wheelhaus homes in Wyoming and the Escape Homes in Wisconsin--both are tiny homes all on one level with a full size kitchen and bath. Wheelhaus had made a resort with their homes so you can actually go and stay in one and see if you would like it. It is called Fireside resort. These are really upscale homes and very well made. I just need a place to park it. How much is it to park one of these tiny homes in a park with amenities?
I love the description of your life. Do you live off the grid? I want solar panels and to live off the grid as much as possible.

Many thanks,
Jennifer

Tiny houses - I lived in a home 18x20, 360 sf with a loft to sleep for over 6 years. I now have 2900 sf. While I think I will have to go over 360 sf to avoid stairs, a built in bed on the first floor (think murphy bed), may do the trick. The other alternative is to stay in my big house until I need assisted living.

Who knows what will happen until then? All I know is that when you have to pay $20,000 (like I did last week) to have roof shingles removed and a new roof on the house, when it looks like it need a roof, I'm gone.

I find the tiny home movement fascinating, but I am sure I won't be joining it. I am basically a hermit who likes to travel from time to to time. My retirement is not focused on volunteering, but on creative endeavors. My need is for the space to house my hobbies. I would love to have the same house I have now on a piece of land that would allow me to build or modify an existing structure into a good sized studio. Looms take up space.

So, like any other retirement decision, this one is best approached from a planning and research perspective. What is the best fit for you?

I do like the fact that the little places are usually so efficeintly designed. I think it would be great to use that principle with the larger homes as well.

But to those who live in a closet, I wish you well!

I came up with this idea for a smaller home. No basement, a living room OR a family room, maybe loose the dining room. I need 3 bedrooms, one for s yoga & fitness room and a 2 car garage. Haven't gotten beyond this scenario.

I've seen some of these tiny homes along the north end of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach, SC. They are perfect for an overnight or weekend getaway.

Maggie Valley, NC has villages set up in place of camp grounds.

They are great
.

Not sure I would like to 'live' in a tiny house but as far as using as a camper option, yes it could be fun. See what these people are doing. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/n-couple-embarks-cross-country-trip-tiny-house-article-1.2293279

http://www.tinyhousecrafters.com/join-a-workshop/

Tiny house workshop

This Comment was made in our Forum but we are reposting it here so more people can see it:

I've been following the tiny house movement for about a year. (and am infatuated) I would love to divide my time between coasts. I could accomplish this with going tiny and still living well. I can\'t wait for more updates and the village open. Watching Lemon Cove also but family is in the Sonoma area. ~ More Please!

There are people who live year-round in motor homes or trailers that are about the same size as a tiny house on wheels. Tiny houses cost no more, and often less, than a motor home or trailer. I would prefer a tiny house because I would have some of my own possessions and furniture rather than ordinary factory built-ins, but also a tiny house could be built without all the chemical-laden materials that so many new trailers/motor homes have. Tiny houses are new, alternative housing options, so maybe their acceptance hasn't quite caught on yet and will be stronger over time after they have become more familiar to the general public. I want to stay in one on vacation, but at the moment, I still need about 500 sq. feet to live the kind of life I want. BTW, I turned 65 this month, and I feel as if I have walked through a doorway into a new perspective. It is exciting. Thank you to everyone who posts on this site - you enhance my new life.

Louise, I noticed that the couple in the tiny house at http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/n-couple-embarks-cross-country-trip-tiny-house-article-1.2293279 have a U-Haul truck pulling the house, that appears to also be a traveling storage unit. They are filmmakers, so probably have their equipment and materials in the truck, but I imagine they may also be hauling stuff with them too. So they may be living in a tiny house with a mobile storage unit. This brings up questions of sustainability due to their vehicle, and whether there is a 2nd vehicle for driving around a place once they have stopped. I guess I want the whole story. Interesting link.

From what I've read tiny homes are less than 400 s.f. and are on wheels for portability. Small homes are over 400 but under 1000 s.f. and generally sit on a slab because they are not intended to be portable. I searched for Maggie Valley NC tiny home communities and found nothing. Is anyone aware of where I can find information about small home communities? Thanks.

foleyda: Here is a tiny home community in NC that I have been looking into:

http://www.happyhideawaync.com/ourpark.html

cindy, thanks for the link. Since you have been looking into it, do you have an idea of the monthly land lease costs are? The cabin seem to priced ok, but the nightly rate for rentals is relatively high, especially
since I am single so twice the price.

Hi Cindy:

I liked the link very much. I also liked some of the log homes. It may be a bit of a remote location, I know the area pretty well there, Do people live there year round or just for a vacation type of home?

I would also like to compare it with other communities that are of the same caliber. This one was nice and all the homes looked of the same quality which is a big plus. Thanks so much

Jennifer!

Why not live in a small trailer?

I wasn't looking for a tiny community, however came across The Village at Widlflowers in Flat Rock, NC (just south of Hendersonville). A beautiful area. Some of you tiny house people may want to check it out.

Ella, from what I've read village of wildflowers has a sketchy history. I'd recommend doing additional research. I also looked at happy hideaway nc and thought it looked viable.

David, Thanks for your reply. I'm not interested in the tiny home movement; just posted for others who are. Your info. will be helpful to them!

This may not qualify for tiny homes but I get announcements by email of manufactured home sales. I find this quite interesting to view the different configurations of the homes and how nice some of them look inside. Of coarse you have to find a home site or buy a piece of property to put it on and either hook up to city water and sewer or drill a well and have a septic system installed.

If mobility is a big factor, I can see these houses being attractive. But at $250-500/sq foot, I'd think going from, say 120 sq' to 4-500 wouldn't cost so much; a little more framing, roof and dry wall, but not much.

I am a person who needs space. But I must tell you, this tiny house movement is very intriguing. The tiny house show on HGTV has become one of my favorite shows. I love the very unique, self built, let your imagination run wild ones best.
We can learn and adopt a lot from travel trailers. Some of the builders have developed their space utilizing abilities to their maximum potential. But of course trailers have their limits.
It is great to have so many choices and we should count our blessings. I wish those who are looking into buying a tiny house all the best, hoping that tiny house parks will become aplenty and affordable.

My daughters dream is to own a Tiny House, can anyone suggest how to get financing? She lives in CA near LA & Glendale, there is a RV Park in Long Beach she is planning to use BUT she can't get financing ?? She is not planning on using Tumbleweed but just might have too because they seem to have a 'way' around the requirements to get a loan?

Hey Virginia, what is the name of the even park in Long Beach? I currently live in a tiny home, a 396 sq ft park model, in Tucson, AZ, but would like to move to LA area.

Hey, Ginger.

I'm looking to acquire/build a thow in Tucson but want to know that zoning officials are neutral about it (if not supportive). What has your experience been? Do you live in Tucson proper or outside?
Thanks -

We came across a really interesting article about tiny houses for baby boomers, which also has some wonderful photos. http://seniorplanet.org/tiny-houses-the-next-big-thing-for-seniors/

Adams, I am in Marana which is the northwest side of Tucson. I bought a park model, and have no idea what zoning officials think about THOWs. Just know they are very supportive or park models, so that may be a good sign.

Hi Ginger How are you feeling? Last year when yu were I saw you on the site I know you were not feeling good and was thinking of going back east. I see that yu are still in Ari

I like the 400- to 500 square feet homes, I wish some one would think about a gated community for this size of tiny homes with a lake surround I would love to down side one level with high cieilings, would not mind paying HOA

I live in Williamsburg Va.

Retired Nurse

This comment came in from Huntley. While not exactly on the idea of tiny houses, it is relevant:
----
I am interested in a pocket neighborhood. Has anyone ever heard of this relatively new concept, or perhaps live in one and can share your experience?

Karen sent this comment in and is interested in finding out more about tiny houses:

I have a small town in mind to move to. It has no retirement community. Do you have any articles on how to economically rent or buy or live without a community. Thought about one of those new 'small homes" or buying property and having a prefab built. Any articles like that would be helpful.

Jane:

Unless you own land to park the tiny home on, you would have to rent a spot and pay about $500/month, to live in an RV or trailer park, depending on the location. There are a few gated communities for Tiny homes being built, and that is so there is some consistency--not a nice one next to a junky one--good luck. Out west seems to be the place where there are more tiny homes available. Oregon is progressive in this way. My brother lives in Portland and has cautioned me against just purchasing a Tiny Home as they decrease in value--like a car. I am thinking a small home might be the answer...just so it will perhaps appreciate.

This 3 minute PBS radio segment explains how small homes might be perfect for older adults. https://one.npr.org/?sharedMediaId=680385241:680399833

I am extremely interested in tiny homes, not with a loft bedroom.
Many years ago tv showed such a community of homes 600 sq. Feet.
Houses had front porches, i was very interested even then.

Stop the Madness! These are trailers and small trailers At best! No one wants this trailer trash in their neighborhoods!
Calling them tiny homes is just a marketing ploy.
Most decent areas have required trailers to be located in trailer parks only!

Come on people trailers have been around for years and these are nothing more than that!!

No thank you! Most neighborhoods will not allow these trailers in! Calling them tiny homes is a joke a marketing ploy!
Get serious people trailers have been around good no back to gypsy days

Look closely! No bathrooms, no water, no shower, no room
Someone is trying to recycle trailers and make no mistake these are just trailers !

Most good communities do not allow trailers! Living in a trailer park or RV park carries a certain unwanted reputation In afraid

Ron, your arguments are the same that my brother in Oregon made when I showed a passing interest in a tiny house. ( I teased him and said I would park it on his property--he has nearly 15 acres.) He thinks it is a huge mistake and he brought me around, although I did find some upscale designs with no lofts. I would look at small homes if I could find some that were upscale with all the bells and whistles of a larger home, but cheaper due to smaller square footage. Charm is a big factor to me--no cookie cutter type homes. My brother said that most places in Oregon do not permit tiny houses as you described to be placed just anywhere. Oregon is a major player, however, in the tiny house movement. I am still just looking as I still work part-time. I am happy in my co-op apartment for the moment, but I do worry about the HOA fees. There are fees that come with tiny houses--like rent to pay for the land you park it on, for one.

Certainly not for the claustrophobic! And on a practical note, if a person cant maneuver through the place with a walker, wheelchair, or other device that might be needed (temp or perm) how can these even been considered an alternative for retirees?

The Minka houses described in the NPR piece sound like a good idea. I will be interested to see how the Loveland, CO community of Minka homes turns out, even though it's only with nine of them to start.

I like the concept, but practically for senior citizens, townhouses or rowhouses under one roof make much more sense. There are some over 55 communities with small condo homes popping up all over new England, but they are not homes about 1200 sq.ft. each built on common property with shared amenities.

My interest is in a house, not a traiker, no wheels, esthetically
Pleasing, wider doo

Tiny house, no wheels, no trailer, wide doorways,
Esthetically pleasing, a front porch, quality

When I make a positive.comment showing
Interest in Tiny Houses, I mean HOUSES, not a trailer, not something with wheels. I am interested in established communities with tiny homes, no loft, wider doorways, homes

Gypsys lived in small wagons for years! Any decent neighborhood will not allow these trailers to be parked therein! If you want a trailer there are many small trailers and RV parks available
No plumbing, no toilets, just small trainers at inflated prices. Boooooooo

Small homes exist all over the South! Most upscale neighborhoods require minimum square footage like 2000 sq ft hardly a tiny home
The shows on TV are actually tiny trailers not homes! Check your local building restrictions! If allowed many Blueprints are commercially available

Maimi, can you tell me more about the over East Coast 55 communities you mentioned? Thanks much..

Tiny homes are increasingly popular and a great solution for many retirees. But in a pandemic they do have some drawbacks - where are you going to cache your toilet paper? And what if you can't go anywhere, or lose the place where you go to shower? The NY Times has an interesting profile of yet another disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/12/realestate/tiny-house-pandemic.html