Traveling to tiny houses during vacations sparked this woman's permanent downsizing decision
Hill's grandfather and stepfather converted an old school bus into a tiny house, complete with memories of playtime and sleepovers as a child. Almost four decades later, Hill explains, "Living in a tiny house gives me a feeling of peace and relaxation. The absence of clutter and chaos allows me to enjoy and appreciate the space I have and need."
In 2014, Hill experienced her first adult tiny house getaway in Puerto Rico, and this began a love for various tiny house retreats. Airbnb reported offering over 5,000 tiny house options in the United States as of October 2023. She explained, "I wanted to see what simple living was like, and the tiny house in Culebra, Puerto Rico, was very simple. It had a bed, a kitchenette, and a half bath half outside."
Hill was content in her spacious apartment and high-end home, but she sought something different. She began watching "Tiny House Nation" on TV, which rekindled her fascination with compact living and people's creativity with limited space.
Living in a 2,300 square-foot city house in Raleigh, North Carolina, Hill was ready for change in early 2021. She moved to a small housing community near Asheville, North Carolina, and eventually planned to relocate there.
"I wanted a simpler, calmer, and more straightforward lifestyle", Hill said. "I was tired of focusing on getting more things."
Finding a suitable plot for purchase went awry, but Hill later discovered her dream home in the Simple Life Tiny House Community in Flat Rock, approximately 25 miles south of Asheville. In spring 2021, she purchased a one-year-old, 400 square-foot tiny house with one bedroom and 1.5 bathrooms for $123,000.
Transiting from a spacious city home to less than 20% of that space was challenging, but as Hill began packing, she reminisced about holding every item, considering if it was truly needed and valuable.
Hill, a sonographer, acquired a position nearby in Hendersonville. The daily commute on country roads with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains confirmed she had made the right choice.
Relaxation by Design
During the past nine years, Hill has taken several short vacations to various tiny houses, including North Carolina, Hawaii, and Portugal.
In 2018, she spent a vacation in a small cabin northwest of Asheville, rekindling fond childhood memories. "The house had a bed and nothing else", said Hill. "Bees, goats, and dogs ran around. The smell of the farm and its simplicity brought back memories of my grandfather's schoolhouse."
Holidays aided Hill in adopting a simpler and more meaningful way of living.
During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Hill considered creating a glamping business. While investigating this opportunity, she stayed in a tiny house in North Carolina, constructed from an 18-square-foot shipping container with luxurious features like a queen-size bed, built-in flat-screen TV, internet, mini-kitchen, and modern bathroom.
Tiny House Costs
Typical tiny houses range between 100 and 400 square feet, and Quicken Loans categorizes homes under 500 square feet as "tiny."
There are two main types of tiny houses: Tiny Homes on Wheels/Trailers (also known as trailerables, usually less than 200 square feet) and Park Model Tiny Homes, which can be transported to a specific location and stake a ‘permanent’ ground. Since Hill refers to her house as "park model," it falls under this category. A parking lot or private land will be required.
According to Rocket Mortgage, average costs for a tiny house purchased directly from a builder range from $30,000 to $60,000, depending on the builder and location. Potential buyers may need to cover additional expenses like a trailer, utility hookups, and land purchase.
The price for a “park model” tiny house, like Hil's in Simple Life, can vary significantly based on location, renovations, and add-ons like decks or additional bedrooms, as shown in the Hill's project when new smaller-sized houses start at about $160,000, excluding land and additional expenses.
Building a tiny house involves various ongoing and one-time expenses, such as power hookups, septic systems, permits, and landownership. Additional charges for Wi-Fi, cable TV, landscaping, and water and sewer hookups can quickly exceed $200 a month.
Firsthand Counsel
The most challenging aspect of living in a tiny house, according to Hill, is the inability to host dinner parties.
With 400 square feet of space, behind the master bedroom and bathroom, her tiny house typically features one bedroom and a bathroom. However, her model has two bedrooms and a half bath, narrowing other rooms like the living room, dining room, and kitchen. She mentioned, "It's been years since I've had a full-size Christmas tree, which is difficult." Hill and her wife moved to Florida in late 2022 to find employment but were eager to return in 2023.
The advantages of small-space living, according to Hill, include the following:
- Lower energy bills.
- Minimal or no garden maintenance.
- Surrounding herself with like-minded individuals who embrace minimalism and reduced possessions.
- Safety and security from a close-knit and insulated community.
- Participating in social events and community amenities, such as pools, parks, and fitness centers.
Hill's community offers an outdoor pool, a dog park, a fire pit, and a small fitness center. Popular community events include Friendsgiving and Pride Week celebrations. Additionally, community gardens are often used to share fresh fruits and vegetables with neighbors.
A Survey in 2020 revealed that 56% of respondents would prefer living in a tiny house. Hill believes that downsizing can be an easier transition than many believe. "Downsizing and simplifying can make significant contributions to overall quality of life," she said.
Hill's top recommendation for individuals considering a tiny house purchase?
Before making a decision, she advises, "Take several small vacations, whether for a few days, a week, or a month, to get a feel for what tiny house life is like. It's essential to personally experience a tiny house before fully committing."
She added that transitioning to full-time living in a tiny house may not be ideal if you feel uncomfortable, overwhelmed, or unsatisfied during your vacations. However, if small vacations provide a sense of peace, minimalism, and comfort, a tiny house lifestyle may be a perfect choice.
Shelly Shepard started late 2021, exploring Flat Rock, North Carolina, with the hope of finding an escape route for a sooner-than-expected retirement. She purchased a pre-owned tiny house, rented it out, and dreamed of selling her larger home in Charlotte and embracing a modest lifestyle.
Source:
Insights:
- Tiny houses are on the rise in popularity, with a projected market growth
- Getaway offers unique and popular tiny cabins for weekends, attracting city-dwellers seeking minimalism and digital detox.
- In 2020, 56% of people surveyed indicated they would prefer living in a tiny house.
[1] Long, T. (2023). Why Tiny Houses Are Booming Now. .
[2] Schoenwetter, C. (2023). .
[3] Wilson, A. (2020). Tiny house accommodation is on the rise - here's what to expect. .
