He chose to live smaller but not cheaper, so he invested in a high-end off-grid tiny home built for comfort

This high-end tiny house marks Eric’s bold decision at 51 to walk away from a 13-year condo life and build something smaller, more intentional, and deeply personal.

For more than a decade, Eric lived in a condo. It was stable. It was familiar. But over time, it no longer felt right.

“I lived in my condo for 13 years, but I got home and I kind of felt like I needed something else. I wanted to try something different.”

Instead of waiting for the “perfect” plan, he made a bold move.

“I literally sold my condo and didn’t know what I was going to do. I joke about it going, ‘This is the dumb stuff men do when we’re not married, right?’ But I have a passion to do something different. I’m a tourist; I mean, I’ll just jump off the cliff and say, ‘Okay, let’s do it,’ and figure it out from there.”

That leap led him to purchase land in 2021. He drove his van onto the property with his dog, Dixie, and lived there for a year and a half. But eventually, van life began to feel limiting.

“I was getting a bit antsy.”

That’s when he started researching tiny homes—and soon began building his own high-end tiny house designed for long-term comfort.

From van life to a custom high-end tiny house

Eric chose Tru Form Tiny as his builder. The process took approximately nine months from start to finish.

This wasn’t just about downsizing. It was about building a custom tiny home that reflected his values — quality, craftsmanship, and intention.

“As for the cost of the tiny home, it was a little over 170. And you also got to keep in mind, you know, the Victron system and the custom build. I mean, you can go insane and really spend some money on these things, but it’s a quality build.”

The total cost of the high-end tiny house came to a little over $170,000. That included a Victron solar system, premium materials, and full customization.

“You’re actually talking to him and you’re picking colors, you’re picking tile and patterns, wood, and different accents. So, let me know if you think it’s worth it or not. I think it is, especially if you’re going to live in a small space. I felt like I would rather live in a custom tiny house than a thousand ft modular home.”

For Eric, the investment made sense. If he was going to live small, it had to feel right.

Exterior design of the high-end tiny house

Because the high-end tiny house sits on a trailer platform, it stands elevated off the ground. To connect it to the land, Eric built a deck that ties everything together.

The outdoor area includes a propane fire pit, a comfortable couch, and barn doors that block the strong 5:00 p.m. sun.

The exterior combines fire-resistant composite siding with natural wood accents. He paid extra for the wood detailing — and says it was worth it.

The tinted windows extend slightly outward, bringing in light while keeping privacy. Every detail feels intentional.

Off-grid systems inside the high-end tiny house

One of the most important features of this off-grid tiny house is its independent power and water systems.

The home runs on approximately 2,000 watts of solar power from connected solar panels, with monitoring by a Victron system. On a typical day, Eric generates around 900 watts of power.

“With the air conditioner on, when I leave in the morning at—I put it at 64°—when I get home, I still have 95% of my battery. It’s beautiful. Great system. Love it. Have no complaints.”

The house also includes a 50-gallon water tank, designed for one person. For hot water, there is an on-demand water heater hidden behind cabinetry.

Living off-grid requires awareness, but the system works smoothly for him.

Kitchen and storage in the high-end tiny house

The kitchen in this high-end tiny house is compact yet fully functional.

Large windows bring in natural light. A deep sink makes washing dishes easy, and a drying rack allows him to air-dry them before storing.

The sealed wood countertops pair with a green tile backsplash for warmth and color.

The kitchen includes a three-burner propane stove with a small oven. Two 5-gallon propane tanks typically last about six months. Storage drawers below hold pots, pans, spices, and cooking tools.

The DC refrigerator runs directly off the solar system.

“Refrigerator works great. Doesn’t take much power. Um, very, very happy. And it also has, which I didn’t have in the van, a freezer. I love having a freezer. That is essential.”

The refrigerator and freezer hold about one to two weeks of food — enough for simple living without constant trips to town.

A 3-foot bathroom that maximizes space

Despite measuring just three feet wide, the bathroom includes everything needed.

It has a compact sink, a composting toilet with a separator system, and a glass-enclosed shower.

The composting toilet separates liquid and solid waste, and he uses vinegar and baking soda to control odor.

The glass shower enclosure helps hold heat, though he wipes it down after use to prevent moisture buildup in the small space.

Even at a small size, the design feels complete.

The Loft: A cozy escape in a high-end tiny house

The loft bedroom is one of Eric’s favorite places inside his high-end tiny house.

“This is one of my favorite spots.”

The shiplap walls, windows, and skylight make the loft feel bigger than expected. At night, he can open the rooftop vent to let out the heat and look at the stars.

True Form Tiny also built a custom storage table in the loft where he keeps laundry and paperwork. The space feels calm and private — a place to rest and recharge.

Living space, mountain views, and outdoor freedom

Downstairs, the living area includes built-in drawers for clothes, a small couch, and a live-edge wooden table for meals. A rail along the stairs helps him move safely, especially with arthritis.

Eric lives in Aguanga, about 30 minutes from Temecula, at an elevation of 3,000 feet overlooking Palomar Mountain.

“When I wake up in the morning and just walk up to that mountain and just look at that, man, I just say, ‘Man, God is beautiful and God is good.’”

Beyond the house itself, he created outdoor living spaces, including a pergola, rooftop tent deck, and a 10-foot shipping container gym painted by Empire Arts.

He also built an off-grid A-frame guesthouse with a cushioned bed, LED lighting, under-bed storage, and space for a generator-powered air conditioner if needed.

Reflections on life and freedom in Eric’s high-end tiny house

Eric has now lived in his high-end tiny house for nearly three years.

“I’ve been living in the tiny house for it’ll be 3 years in July. It’s just been an amazing experience that I would have never been able to experience living in a condo because I got out of my comfort zone. But you have to kind of be willing to take that move sometimes. And I’m glad I did it. I’m very, very blessed to have this experience and very happy.”

For him, this high-end tiny house is not about square footage. It is about courage, quality, and building a life that reflects personal values.

By stepping out of his comfort zone, he found something far bigger than space — he found freedom.

Step inside Eric’s high-end tiny house and watch him share every detail of his inspiring journey.
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