Twila, a retiree from The Woodlands, Texas, has embraced a unique and affordable retirement plan- living in a custom-built tiny home.After retiring at 62 and a half, she and her husband decided to downsize from their traditional 3-bedroom house to a tiny home in East Tennessee.
This decision was driven by a desire to reduce the time and effort spent on home maintenance and to enjoy a simpler life.Now, they’re living their dreams.
The couple discovered Incredible Tiny Homes on YouTube and began planning their new residence.They sketched their dream home on paper and, after paying for it, watched it come to life over four months.Their 10×8 home, customized with special windows and lighting, cost approximately $56,000.It’s situated in one of the four communities of Incredible Tiny Homes, known as ‘The Forest’.
Living in ‘The Forest’ community, they pay a modest $225 monthly for their lot, which includes water and sewer services.Additional expenses, like electricity and internet, add about $125 per month.This affordable lifestyle allows them to live near the Smoky Mountains, a dream come true for Twila.
Their tiny home, a 10×8 freedom-style house with a copper metal roof and skirting, reflects their taste.They chose flat log siding and applied polyurethane for a shiny finish and wood protection.The house features a custom 4×4 window in the living area and a mini-split air conditioning unit cleverly placed to maximize space.
Twila and her husband also built a small shed on their lot for additional kitchen storage and a chest freezer.This extra space is essential for her baking hobby, allowing her to store fresh ingredients.They also have a deck, extended to accommodate chairs and a fire pit, and a 6×6 storage shed designed to match their home.
The couple’s outdoor space includes an outdoor kitchen with a grill, gas grill, and smoker, perfect for cooking Texas briskets.Embracing the tiny home lifestyle, they enjoy spending time outdoors, reconnecting with nature and the basics of life.
Inside the tiny home, the living area doubles as an entertainment and business center.A mini Cube fireplace, suitable for tiny spaces, provides warmth and ambiance.The kitchen, equipped with a stove and oven, is spacious enough for both to cook without bumping into each other.Twila’s passion for baking is evident in her well-utilized kitchen.
The bathroom features a 36-inch shower, a regular flushing toilet, and a tankless water heater for instant and endless hot water.The home also includes a stackable washer and dryer, with a vented dryer for efficient clothes drying.The stairs leading to the loft are designed to move, providing easy access to large appliances.
The loft is their bedroom, with enough headroom to sit up comfortably.While Twila wishes they had added a second dormer for more light and space, she’s content with their cozy sleeping area.Living in a tiny home has simplified their lives, reducing maintenance and allowing them to enjoy each day to the fullest.Tour Twila’s tiny slice of heaven in the video below!Please SHARE this with your friends and family.