Well it has been 11 years since I first cut some holes in a shipping container in Costa Rica, trying to make a tiny portable house. Lots of mistakes, blood, sweat and tears.
Forty container modifications projects later, I live in the newest updated tiny home container I have made.
It’s a 40ft HQ with ceiling fans, fully ceramic bathroom and shower, large kitchen with a breakfast bar, living room and bedroom. I added a porch.
This steel box is hot, loud and small. But I love it.
My rent is almost zero and my electricity and water are $40 per mth.
So “Life is Good”.
It’s loud because I am located on the side of a road plus my giant steel sliding door moves in the wind. Something needs to be done about that.
It’s only hot at midday, then it cools down at night. Even though I live in the mountains of Costa Rica, the temperatures fluctuate significantly.
I decided not to insulate the container and just cover it with a roof. This helped along with the high RV reflective paint.
The problem is where the sun hits my container. This increases the internal wall heat significantly and makes it very uncomfortable inside, very quickly.
I have one of those heat guns that checks the temperature when you shoot a beam of light on a surface.
Since the day I moved into my container home I have enjoyed the downsizing significantly. It made me focus on what stuff I really needed. Plus, I really do not buy anything anymore. No bread makers, exercise equipment or anything that would take up space. No way! It’s no fun climbing over that big purchase that you accidently made, or even worse, that Christmas presents you received and have no space for it.
Downsizing is a good feeling and keeps your footstep light on this planet.
I’m not sure how long I will live in the container; I travel a lot, so for now, it’s perfect.
Plus it’s for sale!
Which is great, since I make container homes in Costa Rica.
The author, James Lee has lived in San Ramon Costa Rica for 18 years.
He is a Chiropractor and Container Home Builder. He has modified over 40 projects in the past 11 years. His workshop and model homes are Located in San Ramon de Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Costa Rica (506) 8-307-8666
USA (512) 650-0231