Building a Tiny House: Achieving Home Ownership at 56

As a freelance travel journalist for a quarter-century, I believed renting would always be my fate in Australia. The arrival of COVID-19 altered this path, prompting me to dream up and construct my own tiny house.

At age 56, I finally moved into a tiny house that I could call my own. This marked a turning point in my life, and the joy I've felt since is unparalleled.

A New Chapter in Tiny Living

I never imagined a tiny house would be my future dwelling. I accepted the nomadic lifestyle that came with my travel writing career, living out of a backpack for 25 years while based in Sydney.

The escalation of a housing crisis made renting untenable with my erratic freelance earnings. At 48, single, and desiring my own space, finding an affordable studio apartment proved elusive.

My search for lower rents led me to northern New South Wales, but even there I was priced out. It became clear that downsizing my life to a tiny house was the way forward.

The Appeal of Mobile Tiny Houses

In my early 50s, the yearning for a personal home became strong. I envisioned a compact, eco-friendly haven similar to a cabin. Gaining skills in a natural building course introduced me to constructing with straw-bale and recycled materials.

A major hurdle was the absence of land to build upon. Then came the discovery of tiny houses on wheels, checking all the boxes for affordability and sustainable living.

Particularly appealing was the idea of erecting a tiny house with my own hands, unrestricted by building codes as seen in Australia. Despite lacking construction experience, I was determined to make it work.

Embarking on a Construction Adventure

The pandemic halted my travels, granting me the gift of time. With financial support from government subsidies, the dream of building my tiny house seemed within reach.

I dove into learning, attending a workshop on constructing tiny homes, researching space-efficient design, and acquiring a trailer for the project.

Gathering Support for the Build

I recruited help, primarily from my then-partner Max, a retired scientist proficient in woodworking. He not only had the necessary tools but also provided a location: his house's driveway.

By September 2020, construction began, from the flooring to the timber framework. We installed windows, cladding, then the roof. Max's friend, a retired builder, assisted early on to ensure structural soundness.

Though building the house was captivating, it brought stress as our relationship unraveled with the project's progress. Despite its end, we continued to collaborate.

Completing My Tiny Abode

By May 2021, at 56, the tiny house was ready. Admittedly small and mobile at 23 feet by 8 feet, it offered an unprecedented sense of stability and ease.

The lifestyle remains somewhat precarious, with regulatory frameworks not fully accommodating this housing model, often necessitating rented parking arrangements.

The Transformation with Tiny Living

Despite uncertainties, everyday pleasures abound, like dining while observing local birds or writing with treetop views, relaxing on the deck, and stargazing from my snug loft.

Living in a tiny house has been liberating. Relocating from Max's to a friend's land, my rent now costs a fraction of local apartment costs. I'm free of debt, can enjoy long walks, volunteer, and focus more on writing.

While tiny living isn't universal, my house is the refuge aligning perfectly with my needs. I can't envision residing elsewhere.