Is this the answer to affordable retirement?

The Tiny Home Movement

After the economic crash of 2008, the Tiny Home movement picked up speed. Those who wanted to maintain home ownership were looking for an affordable alternative.

Have you ever considered downsizing?

My husband and I did a trial retirement in 2015. We downsized our furnishings to only a few cherished items.

My contractor husband divested himself of a good deal of his tools. The remaining items we placed in a storage locker in NW Ontario, where we were living at the time.

We purchased a 37 foot Fifth Wheel and parked it in a seasonal park facing Lake Wabigoon that was open May-ish to October.

This was a challenge since we could only be out of Canada for 180 days for health coverage reasons, the park still had snow in it when we arrived (and water lines were iffy due to freezing).

Winter months we headed to our mobile home park in Yuma, AZ where we owned a double-wide trailer. Living expenses were considerably less at the time so we were not concerned about the U.S./Canadian exchange.

Although the plan did not work out for Bill and I, both of us ended up going back to work, we continue to be interested in looking for an alternative and affordable plan for downsizing and semi-retirement.

Allyson~One Woman’s Affordable Retirement

We found Allyson on Youtube this past week in our search for Tiny Home Living in Canada. We found her story very engaging and piqued our interest in Tiny Home Ownership.

Allyson 64, with plans to retire in the next year, was looking for an affordable living alternative after her divorce and decided to build her tiny home.

She and her dog Tucker now live in their tiny house, she calls Daisy.

She lives in Victoria and rents the land her Tiny House sits on from her landlord. Her rent includes utilities.

In preparation for her build, she took a women’s woodworking class! Allyson has recorded some of her experiences on her Instagram Page.

Are you interested?

The Tiny Home story in Ontario and British Columbia

At the Affordable Housing Conference held in 2019, the definition of a tiny house was as follows: “A ground-oriented permanent dwelling that is detached, movable and non-motorized, small in size (less than 500 square feet) and uses a compact design”.

• Tiny homes are legal in some regions of B.C. There are specific parks/spaces where you can park your tiny home.
• Building codes do not specifically address tiny homes.
• However, a tiny house on a trailer must be less than 8’6″ wide and no higher than 13’6″ and less than 500 square feet.
• If it exceeds this size it will require a permit for towing.
• It is stipulated that all homes must comply with the rules set out in the code for safety, fire, health, accessibility, and structural soundness.
• Mobile tiny homes are regulated by the Manufactured Home Regulation and must comply with standards in CAN/CSA Z240-MH.
• Above all local municipal bylaws will determine whether the structure is permanent or not and determine its legality.
• Tiny houses on wheels are considered RVs not a permanent residence.
• They cannot remain in one spot for more than a year.
• Let’s talk price! The price range for a tiny home in Canada will vary. Size, where it is constructed, and the build schedule all factor into the price.
• “If you want to buy a new tiny home in Canada, mid-range homes cost between $150,000 and $190,000. Tiny home options start at around $80,000 and can reach $200,000 and go even higher.” Source

Tiny Homes In Ontario

• You must have a municipal building permit
• A tiny home can have a foundation and even a basement.
• Built to code and square footage over 188 feet.
• A living/sleeping area, a bathroom with a shower or bath, a cooking area with running water.

And briefly:

• Houses on wheels are traditionally called “RVs” so traditionally they belong in mobile home parks and campgrounds.
• Most municipalities still consider these homes on wheels to have the same rules so park them in mobile home parks and campgrounds.
• Even if you own the land, it has to be zoned for that use, so you wont’ get a parking permit unless your Municipality allows it.

Take the Wheels off!

• As long as you satisfy all the requirements of a building permit you can build a tiny home on your lot. It likely won’t have wheels.
• You can build a tiny home in your backyard as a second dwelling. You need a permit of course and you must follow the building code and bylaws.
• The Ontario government has asked all municipalities to include a provision for these units in their plans. Why? It’s a great way to provide housing for family, for aging parents or for students. And you can rent it out!
• Some Ontario builders are now having their entire production inspected and certified eliminating the need for additional inspections.
• They can deliver a partially-built home (without wheels).

Keep the Wheels on!

• For those of us who still want that mobility factor tiny house communities are popping up all over Canada.
• You would be living with like-minded people, probably a shared service situation with a common garden, laundry, meeting space and storage space.
• You may be able to borrow or rent land on someone’s farm perhaps without an official permit in a rural setting and/or on a large property.
• In municipalities with cottage land, some bylaws may permit people to put RVs on their properties and perhaps you can park a tiny home on wheels as a seasonal dwelling.

Why consider at Tiny Home?

We find the whole concept appealing. We found the experience of downsizing to be liberating. Now we live in a much smaller home in SW Ontario, less than 1000 square feet, and we wouldn’t consider moving to anything larger.

Who knows? Maybe there is a Tiny House in our future?

What’s not to love?

• This lifestyle offers flexibility and mobility.
• Lower Utility bills.
• Eco-friendly nature.
• Belong to a community of like-minded individuals.

The whole concept is bold!

Be Bold, be authentically you!

~ Donna