Trish and Kim’s retirement way of life started not with a cruise or apartment however with a daring leap into tiny home residing.
Their 280-square-foot dwelling, nestled within the peaceable Hen’s Nest neighborhood in Gummy, Texas, now serves as a haven for them and their canine, Tuck and Cooper.
As they approached retirement, they realized it wasn’t about having extra—it was about needing much less.
“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it now,” Trish shared. That second marked the beginning of a journey towards an easier, extra intentional way of life.
Downsizing for a retirement way of life wasn’t straightforward at first
Trish and Kim had been no strangers to the thought of minimal residing.
After watching “Tiny Home Nation,” they grew to become interested by how others made such dramatic life shifts.
However the thought of compacting into 100 sq. toes felt not possible.
“We couldn’t fathom us being in 100 sq. toes as a result of we had a variety of stuff,” Trish admitted.
Over time, their discussions deepened. Trish acknowledged that, at 62, “you through the years purchase a variety of stuff.”
Slowly, they started shedding belongings—step-by-step—paving the way in which for a significant life change rooted in easy retirement residing.
Discovering the appropriate place to name dwelling
Their turning level got here once they found the Hen’s Nest neighborhood.
Trish and Kim linked with Robin, the founder, and shortly realized this wasn’t only a neighborhood—it was a household.
The neighborhood’s values aligned with their very own: inclusivity, peace, and a shared love for canine.
To make certain, they visited and stayed in a journey trailer for 4 days.
“We cherished it, cherished the individuals,” Trish stated. With security, pet-friendly options, and heat neighbors, they knew they’d discovered the appropriate setting for his or her retired couple’s way of life.
A peaceable transition to a easy retirement way of life
In January, Kim formally retired. That milestone prompted the ultimate determination to maneuver. Their 1,100-square-foot dwelling was now a factor of the previous.
Right now, their new 280-square-foot cottage—Dragonfly Cottage—gives a extra manageable, cost-effective lifestyle.
Their two massive canine tailored with stunning ease.
“The canine all get alongside,” Kim shared, and the open flooring plan gave everybody house to breathe.
Financially, their new way of life got here with freedom, too. With a $450 month-to-month lot lease (protecting sewage and water) and no mortgage, they might stay extra and fear much less.
Contained in the dragonfly cottage
Open lounge with house to calm down
The house’s open-concept structure merges the lounge and bed room.
As an alternative of a standard mattress, a sleeper couch gives performance with out sacrificing consolation.
A big 55-inch TV anchors the house—“good for us,” Trish stated, embracing consolation throughout cozy nights.
Mild partitions, ceilings, and flooring assist the room really feel “quite a bit larger than it truly is,” making it excellent for tiny homes with canine.
Kitchen designed for perform
Their kitchen balances perform and creativity. A central island holds kitchen gear, clothes, and even their transportable oven.
Cupboards and a big farmhouse sink make cleanup simpler.
“Nothing could possibly be farther from the reality,” Kim stated of the concept tiny houses want tiny sinks. “This holds a complete dinner’s value of dishes.”
They selected a propane range and an on-demand water heater to suit their blended electrical/propane setup.
Their kitchen even features a washer and dryer—cleverly positioned to suit the longer bathe.
A snug and accessible toilet
The toilet prioritizes consolation and long-term accessibility.
They upgraded the usual 36-inch bathe to a 48-inch mannequin, and the house contains considerate storage options.
A normal bathroom, self-importance, and a small dresser from their earlier dwelling spherical out the room.
Wanting forward, they’re open to additional variations—resembling widening the door—for doable mobility wants.
This considering displays how downsizing for retirement can nonetheless embody planning for the longer term.
A sensible, sustainable retirement way of life
The ground plan that matches their life
The Dragonfly Cottage measures 28 toes lengthy by 10 toes large. Each inch has a function.
Whereas some storage is unconventional—like clothes drawers within the kitchen—it really works.
“All the things that we now have in right here is one thing that we put on recurrently,” Kim stated.
Value breakdown
The house value $69,000 with base options, however upgrades introduced it to $76,000.
These included a stronger air con unit, propane range, and on-demand water heater.
Happily, they paid in full. This freedom from debt means much less stress and extra time to get pleasure from their retirement way of life.
A hopeful look forward
Trish and Kim are thriving of their new dwelling.
Their retirement way of life feels liberating and grounding with much less litter, fewer bills, and extra significant each day routines.
Although they left behind a bigger home, they gained one thing higher—a peaceable neighborhood, a practical dwelling, and a life constructed round what issues most.
“We didn’t wish to really feel like we had been in a can,” Trish stated.
Now, of their thoughtfully designed cottage surrounded by love—each human and canine—they don’t. They really feel proper at dwelling.
Take a digital tour of Trish and Kim’s cozy 280-sq-ft tiny dwelling and see how they’re residing their dream retirement way of life—easy, peaceable, and free:
Don’t overlook to subscribe to the Tiny Home Expedition YouTube channel for extra inspiring tiny dwelling tales like theirs!
Associated Posts:
Uncover extra from My Optimistic Outlooks
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your e-mail.
