Tiny homes - a lifestyle for older authors

[Tom Wood]

DC is awesome. 

but look for buildings that have a concrete structure for the floorplates.

Any other way to figure this out other than by asking the rental office?

As a last resort, I have a rain bucket that I can plug in to create white noise. There are electronic versions, but I like the sound of real water.

I have an electronic white noise machine. Have it on a reasonable volume every night because I am not sure what the long term effects are if it's on really loud. There are still times I can hear neighbors banging doors  

So, the only thing google brings up for rain buckets are buckets to collect rain! Would you have a link to the product you use?

It will be hard to tell about the building structure, so ask. They probably won't know either. I just got lucky.

Google rain bucket noise, or rain bucket noise machine or some variations.

I built my own using a plastic container from Home Depot, some PVC pipe and a submersible water pump that is made for aquariums - the Eheim brand is best. That perforated plastic top is from a laundry container, which would have also sufficed as the water container. I just like the look of what I used instead.

[guest278]

One person's slice of heaven is another's idea of misery.

Agreed.

[guest278]

Google rain bucket noise, or rain bucket noise machine or some variations.

I built my own using a plastic container from Home Depot, some PVC pipe and a submersible water pump that is made for aquariums - the Eheim brand is best. ...

Thank You!

[elleoco]

It is fascinating to see the differences among us. I'm one of those who hates the thought of any kind of city living, would rather walk than take any form of mass transit, etc.

However, the thought of RV living, the kind where you sell everything, get a super RV and go from place to place all the time always appealed to me in theory. Three large dogs and a horse meant it was never an option, and I'm now past the age when it was possible anyway, but it always sounded great. I always loved to drive cross country and see things I'd never seen before. As it is, the dogs, horse, and I live on 7 acres, and IMO having neighbors even farther away would be fine.

[Shoe]

Is that house 220 square feet (my metric conversion may off)? That's a bit tight.

Over the past ten years, I've gone from 5000' to 2400' to 1100'. I'm 65 and single and 1100' is perfect (a condo unit in a 100-year-old building). No condo fees, year-round utilities average $50 a month, no snow shoveling, lawn mowing, no roof repairs or replacements, blah, blah. House cleaning is so sinfully easy and quick I don't really have any "chores".

My advice to anyone my age who hasn't downsized for their "senior years" is do it now.

But 220' is maybe a bit extreme.

[Vijaya]

Over the past ten years, I've gone from 5000' to 2400' to 1100'. I'm 65 and single and 1100' is perfect (a condo unit in a 100-year-old building). No condo fees, year-round utilities average $50 a month, no snow shoveling, lawn mowing, no roof repairs or replacements, blah, blah. House cleaning is so sinfully easy and quick I don't really have any "chores".

Yes!!! This is what we'll more than likely end up doing. The maintenance definitely eats up lots of time and $$$ and we're not getting any younger.

[oganalp]

My wife and I live in a tiny condo with four cats. It kills creativity due to cramped space. You lose your personal space and the simplest things like sitting with a laptop on the couch becomes a luxury.

I also lived in huge houses with four stories. That is a different sort of problem, mostly in the maintenance area. I come to realize that 2+1 or 3+1 is the best, preferably with a view of nature, rather than of a city. 

[Maggie Ann]

My wife and I live in a tiny condo with four cats. It kills creativity due to cramped space. You lose your personal space and the simplest things like sitting with a laptop on the couch becomes a luxury.

I also lived in huge houses with four stories. That is a different sort of problem, mostly in the maintenance area. I come to realize that 2+1 or 3+1 is the best, preferably with a view of nature, rather than of a city.

I find sitting on the couch to write becomes a problem more because of the dog than lack of space. He just doesn't allow it. He was a stray, and although he's a lot more secure than he was six months ago, sharing me with a laptop  doesn't work for him. Maybe in another six month.

For some reason, I was thinking about one of my first apartments yesterday. It would definitely qualify as tiny house size, yet was very comfortable for one person. I wouldn't want to live there with another person but it worked fine for just me.

[oganalp]

I find sitting on the couch to write becomes a problem more because of the dog than lack of space. He just doesn't allow it. He was a stray, and although he's a lot more secure than he was six months ago, sharing me with a laptop  doesn't work for him. Maybe in another six month.

For some reason, I was thinking about one of my first apartments yesterday. It would definitely qualify as tiny house size, yet was very comfortable for one person. I wouldn't want to live there with another person but it worked fine for just me.

Yes, I understand your dilemma, as it is more about the cats than the size. They get bored, and they want attention. They want attention in sequential order so that I can never find the time to do anything. By the time they all get bored and go back to sleep, I feel like a potato myself. Of course, I have to attend college as a part of our immigration, and their demands also suck out my energy, near to two jobs, so that I wear out easily. But my cats are not helping either.

Well, no problem. If I have to pick in between the cats and writing, I can put aside Scrivener for the rest of their lifespan. I love them more than anything... (aaaand one jumped onto my lap as I wrote this particular line, hahaha):D

[guest153]

My wife and I live in a tiny condo with four cats. It kills creativity due to cramped space. You lose your personal space and the simplest things like sitting with a laptop on the couch becomes a luxury.

I can't write on the couch, period. It's too comfortable and my mind thinks, "relaxation mode activate!" I have to be at a desk or I'll never get anything done.

[Leo]

I found this youtube clip on Tim building his tiny house on wheels. I enjoyed watching his meticulous method, he's a real craftsman.

External construction

Internal finish

[oganalp]

I found this youtube clip on Tim building his tiny house on wheels. I enjoyed watching his meticulous method, he's a real craftsman.

There is a reality show/documentary thing on HGTV called "Tiny Homes" if I remember right. Every episode is about building a tiny home for someone, either a trailer or a little cabin, etc. It is interesting to see how they utilize every inch of the space.

[RainingTacos]

ETA: I totally get you on not needing both a family room and a living room. Who came up with that? We rented a house with both once, and it turned out the living room never got used, except for parties.

We recently bought a house with a family room and living room. The living room is turning out to be a great playroom for our six-year-old. There's nothing in it except toys. We do all our actual living in the family room.

[VanessaC]

I am in awe of anyone who can embrace minimalist living and small (not even tiny) spaces.  I have a house that on paper is way too big for me, but I love it.

Of course, I also have two cats and a giant dog, and work from home which absolutely requires its own, separate, space, so there's a limit to how small a living space I could reduce to.   

[Ellie Drake]

About five yeas ago we decided to buy a 34 foot RV and get rid of things we didn't need/use anymore.

Now we travel full time and never stay in one spot longer than three months at a time. We spend most of our time in state parks exploring. It's a heck of an undertaking - we're a family of five with a big dog and several cats. We don't have a ton of space, but it's actually not as ugly as everyone warned us it would be. My kids fight less (because now they can't storm off to their rooms and slam their doors - they actually have to work out their problems.) so that's a plus. Hubby and I have always been close (coming up on fourteen years together! sheesh, I feel old now.  ) I mean close. We've both worked from home for most of our time together because we genuinely enjoy spending all our time with each other. *Listens for audible gagging from people reading this post*

The downfalls - packing and moving is stressful. Much less than a regular house and we've streamlined it a lot. Still, it can be rough. There's not a lot of space, so we have to be on things like laundry. No more set it and forget it clean laundry on the kitchen table. xD Keeping the place clean is tough, but we work together to keep it in pretty good shape. Also, RV repair is tough and expensive. Due to spending a lot of time in high humidity places, we struggle with rust outside and mold inside even though we've got two heavy duty dehumidifiers running at all times.

The good bits - omg so pretty! We're constantly surrounded by nature. New hiking trails all the time, beach combing, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, fishing, swimming, kayaking, and learning new plants. I get to pick mushrooms like I did as a kid growing up and teach my kids the things I learned without being tied to one spot. It's a blast and I can work outside or inside with the windows open. I want to hurry and get my work for the day done so I can go outside and play.

What I miss most - a garden!

That said: I'm looking forward to settling down at some point. I'd like a few acres, some goats, a garden. My own patch of dirt to share with the people I love most until my days are done.



ETA: Feel free to message me with questions. I enjoy sharing knowledge and experiences, especially with people who are considering a big life change and aren't sure if they've considered everything. A lot goes into this life, way more than would fit in a single forum post.

[Maggie Ann]

 

No gagging, Ellie. Hearing about your "closeness" warmed my heart. But then, I'm a romance writer. 

[Vijaya]

Really wonderful, Ellie. My husband and I also love being together, esp. since we did the long-distance thing for 10 yrs. We were young and stupid. Till death do us part.

[Ellie Drake]

Maggie: Awww, thank you. I'm also a romance writer! Great minds, right?  I think we're all suckers for a good love story.



Vijaya: I can't imagine trying to be away from my hubby! Especially not for ten years. How the heck did you manage that? I love that you've got that same closeness. Most of our peers think we're nuts. I'm not denying we are, of course.


Sorry for the derail. 

[Vijaya]

Vijaya: I can't imagine trying to be away from my hubby! Especially not for ten years. How the heck did you manage that? I love that you've got that same closeness. Most of our peers think we're nuts. I'm not denying we are, of course.

We were both too career-oriented at the time, so love took second place. It really is a miracle that we survived the separation...I never recommend it. Romance is definitely king!!! And I'll bet all those peers who think you're nuts also want what you have. 

By the way, I've known a couple of families who've traveled as you do in an RV or sailing with their kiddos and they're all the richer for it. We moved a lot until we had our first baby and have really enjoyed staying put. Funny how that happens. My kids will probably have wanderlust...and we might need that RV to visit.

Back to tiny homes.

[Ellie Drake]

We were both too career-oriented at the time, so love took second place. It really is a miracle that we survived the separation...I never recommend it. Romance is definitely king!!! And I'll bet all those peers who think you're nuts also want what you have. 

By the way, I've known a couple of families who've traveled as you do in an RV or sailing with their kiddos and they're all the richer for it. We moved a lot until we had our first baby and have really enjoyed staying put. Funny how that happens. My kids will probably have wanderlust...and we might need that RV to visit.

Back to tiny homes.

Oh! Well, that's a pretty darn good reason.

It's a great life! We've met some people who live on boats - *those* people are crazy! (Kidding!)

Yes! Back to tiny homes!

We've met quite a few elderly persons who do the same thing we do. (Met a 96 year old gentleman still going strong!) The best advice we've heard is - make sure you've got a sturdy railing into your rig and/or good grip on your steps. (roofing shingles are popular!) Nothing ruins your day like when you trip down the steps (or up them!) and a lot of the people we've talked with say this one is really important! I tend to agree; we live where things can get icy and those steps are always daunting and really narrow.

Best tiny home advice we've learned - check with your county! There are entire counties that don't allow tiny homes or require them to pass the same safety inspections as a traditional home. There's actually a story I saw that I wanted to share about it:

"They came and they condemned our house and told us if we stayed here we'd be arrested for trespassing on our own property, and the reason why is, they said, it was unsafe living conditions because we don't have city utilities hooked up," Truitt explained.

Link

Sure, this might be biased (everything is) or it might be the exception and not the rule, but it's a good cautionary tale to make sure you cover all your bases.