The Tiny House Movement

Discussion in 'Home Improvement' started by Ina I. Wonder, May 27, 2016.

  1. Patsy Faye

    Patsy Faye Supreme Member
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    @Babs Hunt
    Babs - I want that pretty house - perfect ! :)
     
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  2. Ina I. Wonder

    Ina I. Wonder Supreme Member
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    1. (Ooops). @Babs Hunt , I wondered about doing that too, but the way this old log cabin is built I'm told it would scar and devalue the home to segment it. This is an old rambling house that grew for over a period of 145 years. The living room is 25'X26', and built of whole red pine logs, and the rest of the house is built of cedar. There is only one bathroom, (the only room with sheetrock), plus it is only a 5'X9'. I really need to sell it to a young family that likes history, but right now the house comforts me with all the memories of my family.
    @Texas Beth , Nice to meet you, and I hope to see more of your posts. There are a few of us Texans on the forum, so I think you fit in comfortably. I'm located just NE of Houston. This forum is a good place to socialize, and the curtsy between all of us is refreshing. .

    I had the same thoughts about the ting houses, and I too would turn the lofts into guest quarters as well. Let the younger guests climb the ladders. I fall down on solid ground, much less one foot off the of it. I do think I could live in 5 or 6 hundred square feet. I would like a one room efficientcy with a bathroom as the only other room. I have a wheelchair that I use occassionly when I can stand or walk, and I know that eventually I will be confined to it permanently. So I will need as much open space as possible to be able to maneuver the chair around.
     
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  3. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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    I really like a lot of the tiny houses I have seen. And I've watched a lot. I don't think I've missed one tiny house show on TV and I've watched many many YouTube videos. My issue is where to put the places. Seems everyone has a friend and family member with land. And I'd need basic amenities like water, sewer electricity.

    I had hoped I found my place when I bought a newer mobile home in a park but it didn't work out. I'll keep trying. My mother screamed at me once "you'll never like any place you ever live" and it seems to be haunting me.
     
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  4. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    In most places, undeveloped land is fairly inexpensive, but the expense comes into play when it comes to getting utilities on that land.
     
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  5. Diane Lane

    Diane Lane Veteran Member
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    I've also watched a lot of the tiny home shows. I don't think I'd want to live in something under 500 square feet, though. I've lived in larger places and smaller places, and that's about the minimum I'd want for an actual house. I have started thinking about either a small cabin or RV in the future, though. This place is only a rental, and it's around 1,000 square feet, but is very choppy, so it's difficult to place furniture, and nothing flows the way I really need it to. Once I get past a few hurdles, I'm hoping to start getting rid of more of my belongings. I donate things monthly, but I want to do more eventually, so I'll be in a better position for an eventual move.
     
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  6. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    #21
  7. Ina I. Wonder

    Ina I. Wonder Supreme Member
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    Have you ever been giving words of advice to someone, and then realized those same words applied to yourself as much as to the person you meant them for? :eek:

    I was getting on to my half brother that is eleven month older than, about how he needs to stop living with the wants and goals of a twenty-five year old. I have been supplementing his income for several years nows, and I was telling him that I needed to cut back on my spending. I helped him go through three surgeries last year, so I know his physical condition, and he's pretty stove up. He called me a couple of days ago, to tell me he's bought a motorcycle and is going to travels around with his VFW cycle group. Of course I give him what for about it. :p

    Later I'm thinking about it, and it dawns on me that just maybe I need to pay attention to my own words. I realized that except for my online friends, I still present to my grown grandchildren a picture of a self sufficient person that needs nothing. No wonder I never see them. :(

    That's the reason I was considering a tiny house on wheels. But realistically I can't drive the required vehicle that it would take to move such a home anymore, nor can I keep up with this big old place. So maybe I need to face facts and look into a two bedroom mobile home that can be placed on a small piece of land.:oops:
     
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  8. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    I can identify with what you're saying here Ina. I wondered about the driving part for you because at one time I thought when my husband and I retired we would by a travel trailer and truck and travel all over America. Then a few years ago I realized that the older we are getting, the less we like to travel or drive. We are content usually just sitting out on the porch and piddling around in the yard. And neither one of us can see that great at night either. So what I thought was a plan for our retirement...ended up being not very feasiable at this time in our lives. But where we are is a very good place for us and just the right size too. The only thing that would make it better is if we could move our place to some property with our children and grandchildren. Just like God had a plan for us at this time in our lives, I know our Creator has a plan for you too Ina...and I'm sure it will be revealed to you in perfect timing.
     
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  9. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    Here's a mobile tiny house that I can afford.

    tiny-house-truck.jpg
     
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  10. Diane Lane

    Diane Lane Veteran Member
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    @Ina I. Wonder There are ways to have the place moved for you, though. An ex and I moved an RV for a friend. She'd been working here and living in it, and we moved it back to her San Antonio area property for her. There are people who would do that for not that much money. I don't think you need to totally discount your dreams, just look into transport services and other options. I was actually looking on eBay at RVs (not that I have a dime to spend right now, but I'm always hopeful for a positive change), and I saw one that listed it as being wheelchair accessible. You have too much spunk to stop dreaming. Take some time to think about your options before you make a move.
     
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  11. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    I don't think @Ina I. Wonder has stopped dreaming @Diane Lane. :) I think she is just seeing what will fit her best at this season of her life.
     
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  12. Ina I. Wonder

    Ina I. Wonder Supreme Member
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    @Diane Lane , and @Babs Hunt , I do have time to think on things now. One of my grandsons, age 25, moved in with me just after I started passing out. I thought it was just going to be for a couple of weeks, but it's been over two months now. I don't know how long he plans on staying, but it's made my life easier.

    My yard alone is 2/3 of an acer, and he is doing all the yard work, he goes grocery shopping or anywhere I need to go, and in general tries to take care of me. So I can take some time to figure out what I want to do.

    I love the look and idea of the Tiny Houses on wheels, but in reality my wheelchair excludes that dream. I know there must be other affordable options for me when I do have to let this place go. Right now it is hard to think of leaveing the home my hubby and I shared for so long. But that day must come.
     
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  13. Babs Hunt

    Babs Hunt Supreme Member
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    How nice to have one of your grandsons staying with you @Ina I. Wonder. It sounds like you are enjoying his company and him helping you too.
     
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  15. Diane Lane

    Diane Lane Veteran Member
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    I've seen some of the container homes, and they look interesting. I wonder how the metal exterior affects utility bills? I have also seen some pretty amazing looking yurts, although the round exterior walls could make furniture placement difficult in some cases. I was surprised to see they're actually feasible in Alaska, which I wouldn't have thought would be possible. Apparently they can be pretty well insulated, though, even enough to withstand the sometimes brutal conditions up there.

    @Ina I. Wonder I wondered if he was still staying with you. It's great that he's so accommodating and cares about you. That's so nice to hear in this day and age.

    Here's an interesting link I found that has various types of alternative housing in Texas. Apparently they're for rent, and it might be nice to 'test drive' something like this before settling on any one option. http://www.texasoutside.com/texas-treehouses-yurts-safaritents-glamping/
     
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