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From Full-Time Travel to Settling Down in Her Tiny House


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Ashlee is a school teacher in Western Australia who traveled the country in her THOW built by Tiny Homes Perth for a whole year! After completing her travels, she settled on a family farm, got back to teaching, and continued to live tiny in her amazing house on wheels.

We got a chance to interview Ashlee (@girlinatinyhouse) about her tiny lifestyle. While she misses her wardrobe space from time to time, she’s thankful for the financial freedom that a tiny home has brought her.

Enjoy the photo tour of her THOW below, and make sure to stick around for the Q&A!

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She Used Her THOW to Travel Around Australia!

Stunning pasture views outside her tiny house.

View of her kitchen and storage ladder to upstairs.

She has two burners and an oven.

And here’s her hidden washer/dryer unit!

Here’s space for her comfortable couch.

The large glass doors let in tons of light.

A pocket door closes off her bathroom.

She has a large, deep sink for doing dishes.

Upstairs in her tropical loft bedroom.

She has great head room and window light.

Her bathroom with a composting toilet and shower stall.

Q&A with Ashlee on Going Tiny

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How many people (and animals) are living in your tiny house?

Just me

Where do you live? How long have you lived tiny?

I’m currently living in Capel in Western Australia, on a family farm. I’ve been here since February. I’ve been living in my tiny house since December 2018.

What do you do for work? Or do you travel full-time?

I’m a teacher. During 2019, I took a year off Full time work and Worked in schools around WA casually. I travelled with my tiny house from the South West to The Kimberley in the North West, living in Broome for 5 months.

Why did you decide to go tiny?

I went tiny because I wanted the flexibility on my year off to be able to travel WA but still maintain my own space. Financially it also allowed me to travel overseas because tiny house living expenses are much less.

What are you hoping to get out of living tiny?

Living tiny has given me the opportunity to do more with my life. During 2019, it allowed me to do so much travel. 2020 has seen me go back to full time work but I’m still very happily living in my tiny house. It’s financially beneficial plus it gives me so much for time to do other things. Cleaning time is minimal, home maintenance is minimal and I have everything I need.

How did you first learn about tiny house life?

I came across the concept when browsing online. As soon as I saw the idea, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do.

How did you build your tiny house or buy it?

I had a builder in Perth build the house for me. I didn’t have the skills or resources to do it myself so it was the only way I was going to make it happen. Simon from Tiny Homes Perth was amazing to work with and his work is the highest of quality.

Are you comfortable sharing how much your tiny home cost?

All up my house was about $75000, including furniture and appliances.

What are bills/utilites like compared to before?

I use a $30 gas bottle every 6 weeks. I pay a weekly ‘rent’ to ensure my power and water costs are covered.

How did you find a place to park and live in your tiny house?

I have been very lucky to have had a number of family farms to park on. When I lived in Broome, I advertised on a Facebook Community page, asking for a place to park. I was contacted by over 20 people offering places for my home to park. I couldn’t believe how easy it was.

Before going tiny, what was life like?

My life was pretty quiet but similar to that of most people. I lived in the city and felt stressed, overworked. I needed a change in my life and some time to reset and recalibrate. My time off from work definitely helped with this. But the tiny house allowed it to happen.

Is there anything from your old life that you miss?

Maybe my wardrobe space… but that is about all.

What benefits are you experiencing after going tiny?

Massive financial benefits. Also, I don’t miss any of the things in my life that I let go of.

What about some challenges?

I had a few challenges initially with the compost toilet – there was just a lot to learn about the management of it. I also had to learn to tow the house on my own. That was a challenge I’m very proud to have overcome. I love that I can do it all independently now.

What makes your tiny home special?

My home is special because it’s small enough to tow on my own. I had it custom built under the tow weight of my car. It’s really easy to transport and I’ve towed it over 6000km around WA.

What is your favorite part of your tiny home?

I love my kitchen. I can Cook everything I’ve cooked in a full size kitchen and has everything I need. I spend a lot of time in there.

What helpful advice would you give to others interested in going tiny?

Really think about why you’re doing it. If it’s to allow more travel (like me) then you have a lot to consider with the size of the home. If it’s to simplify your life, you may want to make your home a little bigger. If it’s to live more sustainably then factor in the costs of solar and how you will still meet your basic needs.

Work out exactly what you need to store in your home, make sure you consider where everything will be stored before you begin your plans. If you have a lot of clothes or sporting equipment, you need to factor that in.

VIDEO: Incredible Tiny House You Can Travel With

Highlights:

  • Built by Tiny Homes Perth
  • Cost $75,000 with furniture
  • Loft bedroom
  • Comfortable living room area
  • Full kitchen
  • Bathroom with composting toilet
  • Shower stall
  • She traveled in it for a year
  • She’s now settled down on a family farm
  • She’s a full-time teacher

Learn More:

Related Stories:

Our big thanks to Ashlee for sharing! 🙏

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

{ 8 comments… add one }
  • Marsha Cowan
    August 23, 2020, 8:32 am

    Looks so comfortable and cozy! Love the brightness and the views. Lovely decoration and well organized. Great job!

  • Suzee B
    October 2, 2020, 10:03 am

    One of the nicest, well organized THOWs I’ve seen! Love how she fit in the washer/dryer! The kitchen is awesome! She has great taste!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      October 2, 2020, 3:43 pm

      Right? That’s a must-have for me.

  • Pete Wilson
    October 2, 2020, 11:11 am

    I love her simple plywood counter top; color is super, also like her use of baskets in the bedroom, easy to use and looks great. Nice job!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      October 2, 2020, 3:41 pm

      I agree!

  • Sheila
    October 23, 2020, 1:00 pm

    This is nice. Looks like home in side. I love the couch as they are not made like that. Outside strikes the eye.

  • Kathy
    July 19, 2021, 9:34 pm

    Thanks for the great tour of your cute cute house. I love your kitchen – it has everything you need to cook for 1 or 2 and I am getting to the point where I realize I simply do not need the size kitchen they advertise in those $80-90,000 “tiny” homes. And I don’t need a bedroom sized bathroom either. I am not one to spend a long time in one. Yours, again, was just right. I do have to ask, it appears there is a door of some type in the wall to the right of the sink. Is that for the water heater and electric panel and so on? Too bad, that would be the spot for more of the closet space you need. Last but not least, I love the design of the exterior of your house.Its modern and gives the interior a spacious feeling. love the 2 tome grey too! Congratulations!!

    • Natalie C. McKee
      July 20, 2021, 1:25 pm

      Yes I always feel like for me, I could have an itty-bitty bathroom! But I know it’s not for everyone.

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