Let me tell you about Danny W and his super cool tiny house in Colorado.
Imagine a house that’s about the size of a large bedroom – that’s how big Danny’s house is (160 square feet). He decided to move there after dealing with some really stressful house-renting problems.
Living in such a small space has actually made Danny’s life much better! He doesn’t need to spend as much money, and he feels much happier and more relaxed. His tiny house has everything he needs: a comfy spot to hang out, a kitchen where he can cook his meals, and a cool bedroom up in a loft (kind of like a bunk bed, but for grown-ups!).
Before moving into his tiny house, Danny used to live in a van and travel around. Now, in his tiny house, he loves that he doesn’t need lots of stuff to be happy. He gets to spend more time enjoying nature and focusing on things that really make him happy. It’s like having a treehouse, but as your actual home!
Danny’s story shows us that sometimes, having less stuff and a smaller space can actually give you more freedom and make you happier. Pretty neat, right?
Watch the Tiny House Expedition Video below.
Takeaways:
- Danny has been living in his tiny home in Durango, Colorado since August 1st. The home is 160 square feet and costs $725 per month for rent, which includes all utilities.
- The tiny home is located in Animus Vista Tiny Home Park, and Danny also owns a van that serves as a migratory home.
- Danny found the tiny house after learning about it from a woman 30 minutes south of Durango, and purchased it from a seller within 48 hours.
- His living space is compact, with a multifunctional living room, kitchen, and a space for yoga, eating, and relaxation.
- The kitchen has a small but functional layout, with a double sink, sliding cabinets, and a convection oven. Danny plans to eventually install a built-in oven.
- Danny’s closet is minimalist, with only a small rack for his clothes and some pullout cubbies for storage.
- The bathroom includes a small vanity and a shower, and Danny also keeps a guitar in the bathroom for lack of a better space.
- The loft bedroom is warm and cozy, with a queen-sized bed and space for reading. Danny finds the loft ideal for sleeping, though it can be inconvenient for middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.
- he transition to tiny living was motivated by a combination of personal experiences, including dissatisfaction with traditional housing in Durango and a desire for financial freedom.
- Danny’s lifestyle is centered around outdoor activities, including exercise, hot springs visits, and socializing, which are made easier by the central location of his tiny home in Durango.
- The tiny house movement has allowed Danny to experience financial freedom, lower stress, and greater mental clarity by simplifying his life and living with fewer possessions.
Questions and Answers
What motivated Danny to move into a tiny house?
Danny was motivated to move into a tiny house after experiencing frustration with the overpriced housing market in Durango and the challenges of traditional housing. He sought a more affordable, stable, and flexible living arrangement.
How does Danny feel about his living space in terms of functionality and comfort?
Danny feels that his tiny house, despite its small size, is functional and comfortable. He appreciates the space for its simplicity and the freedom it provides, especially given its affordability and the reduction in financial strain.
What is the size of Danny’s tiny house and how does he make use of the space?
Danny’s tiny house is 160 square feet with a layout that combines the living room and kitchen into one space. He utilizes every part of the house creatively, from the couch doubling as a bed to using the floor for eating and yoga.
How does Danny manage his clothes and storage in the tiny house?
Danny has a minimal amount of clothing, which fits in a small closet and pullout cubbies. He also uses creative storage for shoes and daily gear, organizing everything efficiently in his small space.
How does Danny utilize the kitchen space in his tiny house?
The kitchen, though compact, offers a double sink, sliding cabinets, and a convection oven. Danny has enough space for food prep and storage, and he has adapted to the size by keeping his kitchen essentials minimal.
What challenges does Danny face in terms of space and functionality in his tiny house?
While the space is small, Danny doesn’t feel limited by it. He has made adjustments to manage the lack of a built-in oven and the small bathroom, but overall, he finds the house to be quite functional and efficient.
How does Danny handle personal hygiene and bathroom needs in such a small space?
The bathroom is small but functional, with a shower, toilet, and a small vanity. Danny also stores some personal items like his travel kit in the bathroom for easy access, and he uses the hot springs nearby for a soak after work.
What are Danny’s thoughts on financial freedom and living in a tiny house?
Danny sees living in a tiny house as a way to achieve financial freedom. His rent is much lower than traditional housing, and he no longer feels the financial strain of paying for a large home. The reduced expenses have positively impacted his mental health and overall well-being.
How has Danny’s ADHD influenced his decision to live in a smaller, simplified space?
Living in a smaller space helps Danny manage his ADHD more effectively. The reduced clutter and simpler layout allow him to focus better, reduce stress, and free up mental bandwidth for activities like exercise and socializing.
What does Danny appreciate most about living in Animus Vista?
Danny loves the location of Animus Vista, with its proximity to nature, including mountains, rivers, and nature preserves. He also values the community of like-minded individuals and the supportive, mindful environment created by the owners, Alex and Molly.
Conclusion
In a remarkable example of downsizing and intentional living, Danny’s 160-square-foot tiny home in Durango, Colorado represents a thoughtful balance between comfort and minimalism. At $725 monthly including utilities, his home in the Animus Vista Tiny Home Park features a well-designed layout that maximizes every inch of space – from a multifunctional living area to a compact kitchen with clever storage solutions, and a cozy loft bedroom.
The transition from traditional housing to tiny living wasn’t just about saving money; it marked a profound shift in Danny’s lifestyle, allowing him to prioritize outdoor activities and social connections while maintaining the flexibility of occasional van life adventures. His quick decision to purchase the home within 48 hours of discovery proved serendipitous, as it has provided him with the mental clarity, financial freedom, and simplified lifestyle he was seeking.
Despite some minor challenges like middle-of-the-night trips down from the loft bedroom or finding space for his guitar in the bathroom, Danny’s experience demonstrates how embracing tiny living can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life centered around what truly matters.
Too bad he can’t just OWN the lot and just pay some property taxes. That is why we need what I am calling The Housing Freedom Restoration Proclamation (president) or Act (congress). It simply says, as long as a home is not a threat to anyone’s health or safety, then any restriction against that home is a misapplication of the police power and is therefore null and void. This would allow people to live in any size home on any size lot anywhere in the US. This is simply freedom and the golden rule. It is your life, your money, your house, your choice and nobody else’s business. If enough people demanded their housing freedom to be restored then this could help the entire country. Just imagine the possibilities.