Is your one or two-story home starting to feel too big? Are you dreaming of a simpler lifestyle with less maintenance and more freedom? You’re not alone!
If you have reached the golden decade of 60, you are now considered a “senior.” Ouch…that can really hurt! But, there are many benefits to entering the golden years to include the joys of retirement, Social Security and Medicare! But beyond these obvious benefits, it may be the perfect time to consider downsizing. And, you may not need to move farther than your own backyard!
The popularity of transitioning to tiny house living, usually less than 500 square feet, really gained traction in the late 2010’s, and is now a reality country wide. Tiny house communities are springing up faster than you might believe. A great way to test drive this living concept is to stay in a tiny house on your next mainland vacation. A quick Google search will provide you with literally thousands of exciting options ranging from cabins to converted containers, homes on wheels to hobbit dwellings, vinyl to hard-wall yurts, and casual to all the bells and whistles, in just about every state!
Hawaii is a bit slower to jump on this bandwagon, yet living tiny has actually been an option for decades based on the popularity of our ohana’s. These secondary dwellings, often, but not always, located on larger parcels, provide short and long term rental potential, as well as the perfect place for our young adults and older kupuna to reside close to relatives.
And with the recent changes in our legislation, building a tiny home on your property could now be the answer for aging in place!
Here are just a hand-full of advantages for people over 60 going “Tiny”:
- Lower maintenance requirements – less cleaning, repairs, and upkeep
- Reduced costs for utilities, property taxes, and general living expenses
- Potential for single-level living, which eliminates stairs
- Opportunity to downsize and simplify life in retirement
- Can be placed on family property to stay close to loved ones while maintaining independence
- Often more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient
- Lower carbon footprint and reduced environmental impact
It’s important to consider your options when downsizing and looking into tiny house living. What will work best for you?
Key considerations for seniors:
- Accessibility is crucial – wider doorways, grab bars, and wheelchair-friendly design may be needed
- Storage space needs careful planning, especially for medical equipment
- Location matters – proximity to healthcare facilities and services
- Safety features like good lighting and non-slip surfaces are essential
- Some communities have zoning restrictions on tiny homes
The Big Island offers a number of tiny house builders. Here are some great options:
Father & Son’s Paradise Homes, LLC (Foldable homes)
Abe Rivera, Jr.
808.320.0193
[email protected]
Paradise Tiny Homes
Dan and Ellie Madsen
808.747.6028
[email protected]
www.paradisetinyhomes.com
Yurts of Hawaii
Melissa Fletcher
808.985.9715
[email protected]
www.yurtsofhawaii.com
Chris Mateo (Tinies on wheels)
808.640.2070
[email protected]
To learn more about tiny house living consider subscribing to: TinyHouseBlog.com. You can sign up to receive their monthly posts, as well as their on-line magazine. You’ll be amazed at the information available!
Another great way to experience a plethora of tiny house designs is to attend a tiny house expo. Here are just a few exciting options already scheduled for 2025:
~San Diego, CA: Tiny Fest California on March 8 and 9
www.tinyfest.events
~Las Vegas: Tiny Home Expo & Trade Show on May 27
~Sacramento: Tiny House Expo & Conference on August 15 – 17 (In conjunction with the Tri-County Home & Garden Show)
www.tri-countyhomegardenshow.com/tiny-houses-and-builders
