Retiring in a Tiny House

When you think about the tiny house trend, you probably think about Millennials and minimalism. Single people or childless couples lean towards tiny homes because they don’t need a ton of space and tiny houses are more affordable. But more and more elderly adults are turning to tiny houses as an affordable and comfortable way to retire. 

As we age, we often find ourselves looking at our big houses filled with stuff and wonder what we are going to do with all of it. The first thing many retirees do once they are free from their jobs is start looking to reduce the amount of things they own and downsize their living space.

Tiny houses for retirees are great because they force you to downsize – not just your living space but also the things with which you fill it. To be considered a tiny house, the home must be less than 400 square feet – and most are between 150 and 250 square feet. This gives you enough space to live comfortably but not hold on to things you don’t need or use often. You will also require less furniture. 

Another benefit of a tiny house is the cost. Not only is the cost of the dwelling itself much lower than a single family home, but since there is literally less house, there is much less maintenance. The utility costs are also significantly lower than the average single family home. With less space to cool and heat, you will see a decrease in all your bills, a great option for a retiree on a fixed income. 

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Stay Mobile and Travel During Retirement

Many tiny houses are built on wheels. Is one of your children having a baby and you want to be close by to meet your new grandchild? With your tiny house, you can visit any time without worrying about finding hotels or buying a plane ticket (though you do need to check local codes to learn where you can legally park your tiny house). Don’t like the cold and snow? Chase the sun and move your house to the locations with the seasonal weather you enjoy. Want to travel and see new places? No need to pack – just take it all with you. 

If you don’t want to travel during your tiny house retirement, you can often find small communities of tiny house dwellers. Typically these communities charge a small lot fee, perhaps around $200 per month. You can live in a community with like-minded individuals. Sometimes these communities also have pools or clubhouses for residents to enjoy.

Tiny houses are new enough that in many places you can build them to suit your lifestyle and get exactly what you want. Build a house with wheelchair access or one that has everything on the ground floor if you are concerned about future mobility issues. Some tiny houses can even include full bathrooms with a small soaking tub. Using every inch of space and being strategic with your cabinet choices can give you plenty of storage for the things you do need as well. 

If you are looking for a change or simply want to try something new and exciting in retirement, a tiny house might be for you. 

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