From Dream to Reality: Eva's Cozy Tiny House Tour + Parking Advice

Summary

Ava, a 33-year-old financial well-being coach, shares her inspiring journey of embracing tiny home living. After overcoming fears related to parking and legality, she found peace in her 350 sq. ft. home, parked on a serene 60-acre property in Washington. Living with her two dogs, Ava appreciates the freedom, coziness, and efficiency of tiny living. She explains how the space is perfectly tailored for her needs, including clever storage solutions and a functional kitchen. Ava also highlights the personal satisfaction of owning a home that's truly hers and the joy of living in nature, making it feel like a vacation every day.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ava had a long journey before committing to living in a tiny home, citing parking and legal concerns as major hurdles.
• 😀 Living in a tiny home feels like living in a vacation house, with Ava feeling awe every day about her decision.
• 😀 Ava’s tiny home, 'Raven’s Heaven', is a 350 sq. ft. Dublin model, built by Tiny Ida Homes, and has been her home for two years.
• 😀 Ava parks her tiny home on a private 60-acre property in Western Washington, which is fully fenced for her dogs to enjoy.
• 😀 Finding the right parking spot for her tiny home was a challenge, but Ava found her current location through Facebook Marketplace.
• 😀 The tiny home has a cozy living area with an electric fireplace, a comfortable memory foam couch with storage, and a foldable desk for working from home.
• 😀 Ava values the dual staircase design in her home, as it provides more room for storage and is easier for her two large dogs to navigate.
• 😀 She emphasizes the importance of maintaining her tiny home’s space by using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation to avoid mold.
• 😀 Ava works as a financial well-being coach for Operation Hope, helping underserved communities with financial literacy and support.
• 😀 Her kitchen, while small, is functional with plenty of storage, a three-burner stove, and a full-size sink, though she wishes for a dishwasher.
• 😀 Ava’s bathroom, though compact, has all the essentials she needs, including a vessel sink, bathtub, composting toilet, and washer/dryer combo.
• 😀 Despite the smaller space, Ava's loft bedroom is spacious enough for a queen-size bed, a nightstand, and a desk for creative work like photography.
• 😀 Living in a tiny home allows Ava to embrace a slower, peaceful lifestyle in the woods, offering freedom and a sense of ownership she didn’t have in an apartment.

Q & A

What was Ava's main concern when considering living in a tiny home?

Ava's main concern was the parking situation. She struggled with the legality of parking a tiny home and the fear of being kicked out, which led to her waiting for 9 years before making the decision to purchase one.

How did Ava feel after moving into her tiny home?

Ava describes waking up every day still in awe of living in her tiny home. She feels like she’s living her dream and compares her home to a vacation house, enjoying the peacefulness and freedom it brings.

How did Ava find the parking spot for her tiny home?

Ava found her parking spot through Facebook Marketplace. She posted about her need for a spot and received a private offer from a lady who turned out to be a great match for her living situation.

What is the size of Ava's tiny home, and how long has she been living in it?

Ava's tiny home is 28 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet tall, with a living space of 240 square feet (excluding the lofts). She has been living in it for 2 years and plans to stay much longer.

What challenges does Ava face living with two dogs in a tiny home?

Living with two dogs in a tiny space can be challenging due to the large amount of dog hair. Ava mentions needing to vacuum frequently, but it’s not a problem for her as she loves her dogs and the space doesn’t bother her.

What is Ava's favorite feature of her tiny home’s living room?

Ava loves her cozy living room, which has a beautiful couch with storage underneath, though she admits she doesn't use the storage. She also appreciates the electric fireplace that adds warmth and ambiance to the space.

What makes Ava's tiny home unique in terms of its staircase design?

Ava's tiny home has dual staircases, a feature that she loves. This design not only provides extra storage space but also makes it easier for her dogs to move around, avoiding the need for her to carry them up and down.

What is Ava's profession, and how does it align with her values?

Ava is a financial well-being coach for an organization called Operation Hope. She is passionate about providing financial literacy and education to underserved communities, especially helping young adults build good financial habits.

What is Ava's approach to managing moisture and preventing mold in her tiny home?

Ava is very proactive about managing moisture in her tiny home. She uses dehumidifiers in her bathroom and living room, and has placed stoppers in the cabinets to ensure airflow and reduce the risk of mold from cold and humid conditions.

What was a key factor in Ava's decision to live in a tiny home rather than an apartment?

Ava values the freedom and ownership that comes with living in her tiny home. Unlike an apartment, where she would have to follow landlord rules, her tiny home is hers to customize and make her own, which provides peace of mind and autonomy.