Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
I’m excited to share this story with you on how one of our readers recently made a big change in her life by downsizing from a 1200 sq. ft. home into a 300 sq. ft. tiny bungalow with a loft.
And she’s here to share her story with you today so I took the chance to ask her a few questions I thought you might want to ask that might help you on your journey towards living simply.
In many cases, people own their own land and build tiny on their own property mortgage-free which is a great way to do it but it’s not the only way to start living a simpler life.
Please don’t miss other exciting tiny homes – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter!
Downsizing: from 1200 SF to 300 SF
More Freedom? I think so… (but you be the judge)
THT: Thanks so much for sharing. I love your Bungalow! So can you tell me a little more about it? Did you build it?
No, I didn’t build it. My landlords built it when they built their main house. My front door roof connects with their back door roof.
THT: Do you know how long it took to build and how much it cost?
I’ll have to ask my landlord. He’s currently using reclaimed concrete sidewalk to build a patio that will extend from my front door to their back door. He’s about 1/4 of the way done.
THT: What was your main motivation/reason for going tiny?
My main motivation to move into this little bungalow was to walk my talk. I decided, about a year ago, to sell my house (in a nearby town) and move to Carbondale, where I spent most of my time teaching and socializing.
I wanted to reduce my level of consumption, which meant moving into a small space, and give away and sell, at a drastic discount, much of my belongings.
I gave away most of my family heirlooms to my sister, who’s moving from Alaska to Asheville, NC. I am also committed to reducing my consumption of energy, and living in a small space helps me use less electricity.
The bungalow has radiant floor heating, and the water comes from a ditch on our property. All my water comes from the water rights my landlord owns.
THT: And- how has it improved your life so far?
My life has been improved from living in my little bungalow by allowing me to un-clutter my life by eliminating unnecessary belongings, live in the town I love, enjoy watching deer eat our grass, shrubs, and berries without being intimidated by city lights or noise, and I’m able to spend more time enjoying friends and activities in my community because I have little to keep clean or maintain.
THT: Are you happier? How?
I’m happier because I’m walking my talk. I am able to represent who I am, not only in what I say, but how I live my life. Living in a tiny home gives me the opportunity to practice my integrity (I am my word, and my word is who I am) Thanks for contacting me!
***
Mary thank you so much for sharing some of your life with us. You’re a true inspiration.
***
My Thoughts on Mary’s Downsizing Journey
I love this story because it’s unique. In this case, she’s renting her tiny bungalow instead of what most people do when they decide to buy land, build, etc..
So she didn’t have to pay a lump sum of money for land nor take the time and energy to build it.
It sounds like she simply pays an affordable rent every month and doesn’t have to worry about owning her land, doing repairs, and all of that.
Sounds like she has a pretty great thing going and I’m happy for her. How about you?
Share your own Simple Living Story with us…
If you have your own downsizing story to share with us we’d love that! You can contact me directly right here.
Stay in Touch with our Free Tiny House Living Newsletter
If you enjoyed this story you’ll love our free daily tiny house newsletter!
You can also join our Small House Newsletter!
Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!
More Like This: Tiny Houses | Woman Builds her own DIY | THOW
See The Latest: Go Back Home to See Our Latest Tiny Houses
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- Tokoeka PurePod: A Glass Cabin in a Kiwi Sanctuary on Stewart Island - November 5, 2026
- Inshriach Loghouse: A Hand-Hewn Scots Pine Cabin Above the River Spey - November 5, 2026
- Hamma Hamma Cabin: A 1930s CCC Guard Station on an Olympic Peninsula River - November 5, 2026
Join the Conversation
37 comments