When her husband passed away, Dorothy was trying to find ways to save on her finances when she saw an affordable housing solution in the form of tiny homes on YouTube.
Dorothy grew up in Germany near the French border. She was around 20 when she met her late husband, stationed in Germany in the Air Force.
“Social Security wasn’t enough, and I didn’t want to work part-time. I deserved to retire, so I made plans to live solely on my Social Security income,” Dorothy said.
Dorothy found the concept of living among like-minded individuals appealing.
Transitioning from Nashville, her home of over 26 years, to this tiny house village felt just right.
“I already formed my mind when I was watching the videos when I hadn’t even been here yet visiting. I thought like, ‘my God, this is a readymade community; there are like-minded people like me, this is perfect,'” she said.
Incredible Tiny Homes and Incredible Tiny Properties helped her get a tiny house custom-made for her.
Moreover, she only had to pay $200 a month for the land it sits on, and it fits well within her budget.
Water and sewer costs $25 monthly, a fixed rate like what everyone else pays.
Electricity varies, but during the recent summer, her air conditioner ran all the time at 70°F, and she never paid more than $70.
The model home for her affordable housing solution, the Charleston, measures 10 feet wide and 30 feet long.
The trailer is 8 feet wide and 30 feet long, but they added one foot on each side to make it 10 feet wide.
It comes with dormers, which Dorothy arranged to have a living room underneath instead of a bedroom loft.
The maintenance-free LP siding is made from intensely pressed wood and comes with a 30 to 35-year warranty.
Additionally, the roof is made of metal and has a 30-year warranty, although it typically lasts much longer than that.
“The idea was little to no maintenance, and I got exactly that with this home,” Dorothy said.
Living near others in the tiny house village offers its perks, with instant friends just a stone’s throw away.
Dorothy affectionately named her tiny home “Shamrock.” “I have no issues hosting friends, as there’s always enough space for everyone,” she said.
Meanwhile, Dorothy had limited space between the door and the wall, so she had a custom-built shelf made to fit there.
It now holds everything, including shoes, and serves as a spot for decoration when guests arrive. She finds this setup perfect.
Additionally, she brought a chest from England, built in 1800, which she cherishes.
Another item she loves is the mini-split, the only one in the house sufficient to heat the entire space.
Entering the kitchen, you’ll find it snug but efficient.
Dorothy has a pantry, cooktop, and farm sink, which she initially questioned but now values for its spaciousness and practicality.
Her kitchen counter is equipped with soft-close drawers, a feature she appreciates for its convenience.
The bathroom is bigger than usual because Dorothy asked for no stairs to the loft, where she won’t sleep.
This gained her 2 feet of width. Removing the stairs also allowed for a window, which is unique.
Dorothy also got her desired 48-inch walk-in shower, something she really wanted.
She uses shades to keep the bathroom cool when the sun is shining. She creates a contraption to block the sun and heat when it’s hot.
She also opted for a regular toilet instead of a composting one since she plans to stay there for life.
Dorothy chose a tankless water heater for unlimited hot water, which runs on propane without any issues.
In the bedroom, cozy yet accommodating, there’s enough space for a queen-size bed and ample storage.
Dorothy said that her tiny house was her forever home.
Reflecting on life before going tiny, she’s amazed at how much easier cleaning is now.
Despite initial skepticism from friends, she never regretted choosing her tiny home, an affordable housing solution.
“It’s a new chapter in my life…. and I absolutely love it!”
Explore Dorothy’s tiny home, an affordable housing solution, by watching the video below:
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