Where We Lived

As we've been thinking about where we want to live next. Buy, rent, or drive- I've been thinking about the different places we've been. We've had some awesome opportunities to live in some cool places. Many have been very tiny. We like living small. I love the opportunity to travel and see new parts of the world and meet new people and experience different cultures.

Right after we were married we spent a month in this tiny hotel room while we worked in Sweden.

Then for a few months it was one hostel to the next...
And then after 3 months of being married, we had our first place on Cherry Street in Denver. Completely furnished off of free stuff from Craigslist- we had an air mattress bed.

After only a month in Denver living in Denver we moved to Winter Park. We stayed in a little back end of a condo for 6 months.

Then we bought our van and headed all across the US, visiting my family in the midwest, and then Sam's out in Washington and then back to Colorado. We lived in our van down by the river for 3 months in Buena Vista.


Then we moved to a tiny apartment in this big old house in Eau Claire Wisconsin. We lived there about a year.

First the roof caved in in the closet, then we saw the mold, and then after I got shocked from the old wiring in the bathroom we knew we had to go. We stayed with friends for a month, I think? And then we stayed with Sam's boss out at this gorgeous place with acres of gardens.

Then we moved out to Washington to be innkeepers at this lodge. We were there for a year.
Then we moved to Spokane. We were in this apartment for a year. The first normal apartment ever.
Then we were in Berkeley California for 2 months.

Then we started housesitting at this beautiful home on the north side. We've been here about a year. We'll be here for 13 more days. I need to pack it up!
And next....

Who knows. We've been praying, we'll see. I'm going crazy. I think I'm having this nesting urge, with nowhere to go. I think we might move in with Sam's grandma until we figure things out. We were so close to buying this cute house and then it all fell through when we had the inspection. We were sad and disappointed, but now we're reevaluating things and trying to decide what we really should be doing. Stay tuned. Prayers are appreciated.

Camping Goes Glam

Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

All photos of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort-check it out!

Glamping, it's what the rich do instead of camping.  Here is a summer edition of the alternative housing idea.  I think if we ever get land it would be fun to set up some glam tents.  The classy canvas ones, and slide a real bed in there for our guests.  I have no idea how much some of these set ups cost.  I figure if you do it yourself it might not be so bad.  Did anyone ever see the Gilmore Girls episode when they camp and dress up all fancy at their secret society?  This is the type of camping I'm talking about.  Wouldn't it be a fun vacation?   Country living had a great article this month.  I might do another post rounding up more pictures, but after I found Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, I knew it had to be a post in and of itself!  

I just stumbled upon it.  This looks like a manly place, yet sophisticated enough to make anyone feel at home.  They fly you in and it's all inclusive-You can go whale watching, kayaking, take cooking classes, horseback riding, get a massage, and have some whiskey at the end of a long day.  I don't think the price is that bad really, considering everything is included.  Check out the website, you won't be disappointed. (Obviously, I got a little link happy, I linked about 8 times!)  It looks so blissful.  I like adventure on trips, and usually it's cheaper to plan it all yourself, but this seems like the way to go.  The tough stuff (the planning and arranging) is all done and you can just go for it.  (Still not in my budget, but I can dream.  And if I did have the money this is the type of place I would spend it on- oh I really need to update my passport!)

Tiny Tumbleweed

images  from Telstar Logistics

 

This week I'm going to talk about Jay Shafer's company Tumbleweed Tiny House Company.

I am all about simple cheap alternatives, but they must look nice.  I know, I'm a snob!  But come on, if I am going to live in a little 89 foot square house, it should look nice, shouldn't it?The design aesthetic is the biggest reason why I'm a fan of his.

I know this whole alternative housing thing isn't for everyone.  Come on- everyone is talking about how bad the economy is, therefore thinking creatively is a good thing.  If you don't want this as a primary house, think of getting one as a vacation getaway spot or maybe an art studio or workshop.  

In order for a tiny living space to work, ideally I think it would be located in a cool place in nature.  When the mountains are all around, or a lake nearby, living in a tiny space is ideal because you will want to spend most of your time outside anyway.  Another way this would work would be to crash in someone's backyard.  It would be a cool trade off.  You could help your neighbor out with projects, and they could help you out by giving you a little piece of the backyard to camp on.  One of these little houses is a great way to be able to spend time in the community, the living expenses would be pretty low.

The Deets:

If space is going to be sacrificed, the design must be fabulous.

Jay designs these tiny houses that range from 60-900 square feet.  You can buy the house plans for about $1000.  

  

He is touring and teaching workshops all over the country.  You can learn how to build one for $250-$500 for a one or two day workshop.  It will probably cost about $20,000 to make.

You could also buy the house outright already built for $50,000.

Another draw to this idea is that you don't need to buy land.  The idea is to move the house around.

Some of his houses can be put on a trailer, so you can haul your house with you.  I did a post earlier about Dee Williams.  You might want to check it out again.  She does a nice little video tour and tells a little bit about why she decided to choose to live in a tiny trailer.

What is a Yurt Anyway?

photos from Pacific Yurt Company

I'm going to start a little weekly post here about interesting alternative housing ideas.  Mark my words, Sam and I are looking for a more permanent dwelling place, but we don't want to have a mortgage.  We're exploring some creative ideas.  I want to share the journey with you.

A yurt is a portable felt-covered, wood lattice framed dwelling structure used originally by nomads in Mongolia.  

The modern ones are very nice.  They generally are classified under the tent category, but they are much stronger and weathertight.

Why a yurt you ask?

Well if the pictures alone haven't sold you, here are more of the bennies:

-They are cheap (a 12 foot one starts at $4,000 and you can get a 30 foot one for $10,000)

-Two people can set up a yurt in two days. 

-They look pretty

-It is portable.  You can easily disassemble and reset it up somewhere else

-You get a feeling of being in nature, it blends well with the landscape

FAQ

Do they last very long?

Yes, if you take good care of it, the yurt will probably last your lifetime.  The frame will last your lifetime, and the outside will need some maintenance.  The cover has a 15 year guarantee.

-Do you really stay warm?

Yes, people have lived in the coldest regions.  You can heat the whole thing with a little, cozy wood stove.  The companies that sell them use the same insulation that NASA developed.  If astronauts in outerspace can stay warm I guarantee you will be toasty in Minnesota as well.

-Would I have to take a leek in the backyard?

Of course not!  Plumbing can easily be brought up through the floor.  Some people have set up a separate little room for a bathroom, or you can put up some interior partition walls for privacy, or a cute curtain.

What about electricity?

Yes, the outlets are usually on the floor.

Where do I get a yurt?

So glad you asked.  There are several reputable companies who have been making beautiful yurts for years. 

 I recommend Pacific Yurt Company

or the Colorado Yurt Company

You can learn much more from looking at these websites.

Seriously, why do people live in double wides when you can live in one of these- at the same, if not lower cost?  Yes, I have put some fancy pictures up to show you just how nice they can be.  The ones pictured probably cost a little more money, but definitely not six figures.  Maybe you have been in one to warm up on a cross country ski trip, or maybe you have seen one outside of a ski resort.  I'm just curious, have you guys heard of a yurt, whaddya think?