Embracing the Tiny-House Movement: How One Woman's Vacation Led to a Life of Downsizing

From a young age, Cherilynne Hill had a deep connection to the simple pleasures in life. During her summers in Canadice, New York, visiting her grandparents, she discovered the world of tiny living. Her grandfather and stepfather had transformed an old school bus into a skoolie, and Hill holds fond memories of playing and sleeping in it.

Forty years later, Hill reflects on how staying in tiny houses makes her feel rested and relaxed, allowing her to fully appreciate the space she has and needs without chaos and clutter. Her first tiny-house vacation as an adult was in a tiny treehouse in Puerto Rico in 2014, and since then, she has enjoyed various tiny lodgings. As of October 2023, Airbnb has reported over 5,000 tiny-house listings in the United States.

She said she wanted to see how minimalistic she could go, and the treehouse in Culebra, Puerto Rico, was exactly that. It had a bed, small kitchenette, and an outdoor shower. "I could have stayed in a fancy condo or apartment, but I wanted something unique."

Hill discovered "Tiny House Nation" on TV a few years ago and became fascinated with the tiny living lifestyle. She enjoyed seeing how people were able to get creative with small spaces and it sparked her interest in the lifestyle.

In the beginning of 2021, Hill was living in a 2,300-square-foot townhouse in Raleigh, North Carolina. Feeling the need to simplify her life, she decided to downsize and explore tiny home living. She stayed at a tiny-home development near Asheville, North Carolina, with plans to potentially move there.

Hill's grandpa and stepdad (pictured) converted an old school bus into a skoolie that she used to play and sleep in as a kid.

Courtesy Cherilynne Hill

The purchase in the development shed didn't work out, but Hill eventually found her ideal home at the Simple Life tiny-house community in Flat Rock, approximately 25 miles south of Asheville. In spring 2021, she purchased a 1-year-old, 400-square-foot, 2-bedroom, 1 ½-bath tiny home for $123,000. These lawyers from Los Angeles renovated a 16th-century Tuscan farmhouse into a luxurious villa. Here's their story.

Moving from a spacious townhouse to a space less than 20% of its size was a difficult transition for Hill. However, as she began the packing process, she made a conscious effort to hold each item in her hands, reflect on its value, and question whether she truly wanted or needed it. Letting go of a large number of possessions turned out to be a liberating experience for her. (It's worth noting that, like many owners of tiny houses, Hill does rent a small storage unit for items she couldn't part with.)

Hill, a cardiac sonographer, secured a position in the nearby Hendersonville. Commuting on picturesque country roads with a backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains reaffirmed her confidence in her decision.

Hill stayed on Franny's Farm outside of Asheville several years ago. It's home to a number of tiny-house rentals.

Cherilynne Hill

Tiny doses of R&R

Over the past nine years, Hill has vacationed in several other small or tiny lodgings, including North Carolina, Hawaii and Portugal.

The vacation inspired Hill to embrace a simpler, more intentional lifestyle. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, she contemplated launching a glamping business. In pursuit of her research, she resided in a cozy tiny home in North Carolina, crafted from a 192-square-foot shipping container. This charming abode boasted a welcoming front porch and various amenities, including a queen-size bed, flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, a petite kitchen, and a luxurious bathroom.

Hill rented a tiny house in Mills River, North Carolina, for her birthday in 2021.

Cherilynne Hill

Tiny home costs

Tiny homes generally range from 100 to 400 square feet in size. Quicken Loans defines homes up to 500 square feet as "tiny."

There are two main types of tiny homes: those on wheels or trailers (also known as towables and usually under 200 square feet) and park model tiny homes, which are larger than towables, transported to a specific location, and placed on foundations. This is the type of home Hill purchased.

Rocket Mortgage states that the average price range for a tiny home ordered directly from a builder is $30,000 to $60,000. However, costs can vary depending on the builder and the region. In addition to the cost of the house, the buyer may also need to pay for a trailer with wheels to transport the home.

•      Installation of septic system and energy source.

•      Land to put the house on.

Hill's purchase of a park model tiny house through the tiny home development can result in a significant variation in price, particularly if the house is delivered to a plot in a community with utilities already connected. The total cost is determined by factors such as location, house upgrades, and the inclusion of extras like porches or additional bedrooms by the developer.

In November 2023, new one-bedroom homes at Hill's development start at approximately $160,000, excluding the cost of land. Homeowners are responsible for paying property tax on the house and monthly lease payments for the land. One potential way to save money is to buy a resale house instead of a new one, a choice that Hill made.

Purchasing property in a development comes with additional expenses, such as monthly fees for leasing the land, amenities, and some utilities. These fees can amount to several hundred dollars a month.

A rainbow arches over Hill and her tiny home in North Carolina. The tiny-house lifestyle cuts down on clutterand yard work.

Cherilynne Hill

Firsthand advice

The most difficult aspect of living in her tiny house, Hill says, is not being able to entertain and host dinner parties.

Her 400-square-foot house, usually designed with one bedroom and one bath, stands out for having two bedrooms and an additional half bath. As a result, the living room, dining area, and kitchen are smaller than in other homes of the same size.

Since purchasing the house, Hill got married and now shares the space with her spouse and their dog. "For the first Christmas in a long time, I didn't have a full-size tree, and that was hard," Hill says.

In 2022, she and her wife relocated to Florida for work and are currently renting out their tiny house. They are excited to move back into it in 2024.

According to Hill, one of the major benefits of living in a tiny house is the ease of cleaning. It requires less time and effort to maintain, allowing her more time for other activities.

And the list of things that Hill loves about her new way of life is long, including:

•      Paying less for most utilities.

•      Doing little to no yardwork.

•      Living with like-minded people who are comfortable in a small space with fewer possessions.

•      Having the security of her gated and tight-knit community.

•      Participating in a variety of social events and community amenities.

Hills community features an array of amenities, such as an outdoor pool, dog park, firepit, and a small fitness center. Among her preferred community activities are the Friendsgiving gathering at Thanksgiving, events during Pride Week, and the community garden that distributes the produce to residents.

constructed a shed on her small property to serve as both a jewelry-making space and potential guest quarters. To maintain her privacy, the street number on her home has been intentionally blurred.

If you're thinking about buying a tiny home, Hill's main advice is to remember that downsizing and simplifying can significantly improve your quality of life.

Before making any decisions, she emphasizes the importance of taking a vacation in several small or tiny homes, whether for a weekend, week, or month. Experiencing a tiny home firsthand is crucial before committing to a purchase. If vacationing in a tiny home leaves you feeling uncomfortable, cramped, or dissatisfied, she suggests that transitioning to full-time living in a tiny house may not be suitable for you.

Before buying a tiny house for your vacation, it's important to consider what is most important to you, whether it's material possessions, experiences, or relationships. If finding peace and serenity at the end of the day is more important to you than having a big bed and closet, then living in a tiny house full-time may be the right choice for you.

In late 2021, Shelly Shepard began exploring the Hills Flat Rock community in search of an "escape hatch" that would pave the way for early retirement. She invested in a resale tiny home in the area, which she currently rents out, and envisions selling her "regular" house in Charlotte to fully embrace the tiny living lifestyle. She admits that she still has a ways to go in simplifying and decluttering her life.