Challenges & Benefits of Tiny House Living - Couple Shares Experience
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 เม.ย. 2017
- Nicky and Judy decided that a tiny house on wheels would be the ideal solution for the next stage in their lives: retirement. The low cost of living a minimalist lifestyle in 175 square feet allows Nicky to work less (Judy is already retired), and it allows them to enjoy living in their dream home, but with the option of moving to a new location if they so desire.
The couple's tiny house, which they call "Tiny" for short, was built by Matt from Howling Dog Construction in Nova Scotia, Canada.
howlingdogconstruction.ca/
Some of the unique features of this tiny home include 17 windows to provide ample natural light for crafting, the winch-powered dog elevator which allows their aging Corgi to sleep in the loft with them, and the impressive amount of storage they managed to build into the house while maintaining a spacious and airy interior.
The interior design is a lovely combination of modern meets cabin with just the right amount of natural wood to make it feel cozy, but not so much that you feel like you're in a dark gloomy cabin.
The exterior of the tiny house measures 25 feet long, by 8.5 feet wide, x 13 feet tall.
Some of the challenges the couple have run into include zoning by-laws (they were eventually able to register the tiny house as a mobile home but had to be connected to a septic tank for grey water), house insurance (during transportation and towing, and regular house insurance), and moisture and humidity levels that caused small amounts of mould to grow in areas like the wheel wells of the trailer.
They do have an HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) system that exchanges the air, but they still need to open their windows every day during the winter to reduce the buildup of humidity from their breath.
Nicky and Judy blog about their alternative lifestyle at Learning To Reawaken: learningtoreawaken.wordpress....
Thanks for watching!
Mat & Danielle
PS a very special thank you to our backbone supporters: The Burgess Family
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Blog: www.exploringalternatives.ca
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COMMENTS
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We want our channel and our comments section to be an inclusive space where everyone feels welcome to watch and to contribute. For this reason, comments that are inappropriate or hateful will be reported and/or deleted.
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VIDEO CREDITS
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Music & Song Credits:
All music in this video was composed, performed, and recorded by Mat of Exploring Alternatives.
Editing Credits:
Mat and Danielle of Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credits:
Mat of Exploring Alternatives - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
It is inspiring to see people acutely talk about real life struggles like, insurance and the conscious need to be legal in order to live a more peaceful life in their tiny home.
This is the nicest tiny house I have seen. Not just a rectangle, but full of interest and personality. The interior is beautiful, a reflecting of your interests and life - as homes should be. Thank you for sharing your story and for inviting us to see your gorgeous home.
"Tiny" is gorgeous! I'm in awe of those 17 windows.
Nice space. I love what they did for their dog. Brilliant solution.
Me too cool place and love be what they did for their doggie 👍
I love the longer format. When it's not just a house tour but a reflection on what alternative living really means. Thank you for producing such helpful and beautiful content :)
I loved the length of the video. I kept checking to make sure there was plenty left. The best film on tiny houses I have seen. Loved the couple and the Corgi.
Love them, their passion to educate, and how well designed their home is. Thank you for opening up your home to us
I love and respect you for taking such good care of your dog, he's elevator is fantastic!
You have made your home so beautiful, Thank you both so much for sharing.lots of love and best wishes from Carole , in London, England ♡♡♡
Thanks for the very positive vibes Carole, I'm sure they will appreciate your comment :)
You really have got the right priorities in life. Your house is beautiful, and I find it really touching how caring you both are for your dog. I too live in the UK, and love the idea of your little house, so practical and comfortable.
@@patricialavender2902 I find that in the UK there aren't so many good designers and builders for Tiny houses and this maybe because the legalities are so uncertain. It seems that you cannot live in areas that would be acceptable in areas (not all areas) of the US and Canada.
Ladies, I absolutely love your tiny home. It looks so cozy and reflects the care you took to create such a beautiful space, and living wholeheartedly.
I love everything about this. And aww, these ladies are just too sweet; love their way of communicating and the obvious respect they have for one another. Seriously, home AND relationship goals right here.
I love this couple, I could listen to them all day. Their house is beautiful as well.
Rixanne H q
They are calming, aren’t they?
I really appreciate their honesty about the realities of tiny house living. Great video!
hey, regarding the humidity solution in Germany - yes that's true. I live in Germany and our architect told us to do exactly that. You also have to keep the heating on at a low temperature all the time, in the winter especially. The idea is that as a result of keeping the home warm, the walls are warmer so the moisture is more likely to go into the air rather than stay as damp on the walls. By opening the windows the warm air leaves the home and takes the moisture with it. You air three-four times a day for five mins. Then close the windows again so the home can warm up.
Also woodburning, it helps drying out the air.
Norway here..
I can see it on the plants, how much I have been using the fire instead of electricity to heat up.
They just need more watering..
I always found this past odd, about keeping always a certain temperature, even if you aren't at home. First of all, in my view, a well designs / insulated house should be able to remain not warmed up, without developing mould problem. And second of all, I wonder how much it costs to keep a house at a certain temperature for winter months...
Long story short - we should be building houses with good insulation design in mind. I'm thinking about double insulation, double walls, for example. Where there's an inside wall and an outside wall, and no thermal bridges between them. (And if that's not enough (I think it would be enough), a heating system that say heats up the space between the inside and outside walls, in order to keep the inside walls warm, rather than having to keep warm the whole interior of the house)
I remember when these ladies just moved into their tiny house and it was covered on the news - either CBC or Global. As someone who is super interested in eventually living in a tiny house (probably in Ontario), this kind of coverage is what I'm most interested in - how things have worked out after a year or more of living in their THOW.
Thanks Gen, that's great to hear. It's exactly what we were trying to do in this video....give people a more in depth real life tiny home experience :)
Best tiny house interview I have seen in a long time. Although my husband and I don't live in a tiny house...we live in a smaller house...1000 square feet. we got rid of a lot of junk we don't need. Our house sometimes feels too big!
I remember seeing these guys as well. I always wanted to hear more about them. The CBC video didn't really cover it very well and it was clearly just supposed to be a fluff piece. Almost everyone I know that's my age wants to go small or tiny and mobile and it's showing a trend that's emerging. I live in Oakville now, just outside of Toronto, and they're building nothing but massive houses at prices my generation can't afford, yet we're not allow to have a THOW because it's deemed "too small," despite it being what a good portion of the population wants here.
love the dog elevator
omsmada i
Yep, the doggie elevator rocks.
omsmada i was about to say it!
I have an older dog with a bad back and have been trying to work out ways to block her from using the stairs to the loft in my potential future tiny house. (The vet has banned her from using stairs.) This elevator is perfect.
Yes, and love the dog!
Definitely live in a tiny space for at least 6 months prior to building or buying. I've been in a 27ft space for 5 months and I can't wait to get into a 36ft space.
Yeah, and also to figure out how the space needs to fit your life.
So excited to see this video with two people living in tiny house that are closer to our age and life situation
I learned great stuff and loved hearing about all their pros and cons and experiences. The women were very authentic and open in sharing their story. Thanks to you and to them for a great video.
I love your videos. It's high quality and very personable. I feel like the home owners are talking directly with me. Great job!
This video was more philosophy than showing the house and I kinda liked it.
This has been the most educational video i've watched so far, thank you for answering legality questions with your experiences!
I have seen hundreds of tiny houses....but this one is outstanding.......simply beautiful!
So cute! The doggie elevator! I'm glad I'm not the only obsessive dog owner
Welcome to the club! Lol
Finally a tiny house video where the owners discuss in length about living legally, how they found it, etc. Every video needs this! I think most people looking into tiny houses now know that laws change from place to place but it helps to hear what others have done and what worked for them. MORE OF THIS!
Thanks for the feedback Stephanie😀 That is pretty much the number one question and like you said, very few videos on TH-cam address that issue. We always make an effort to ask those questions to give a more realistic idea to anyone thinking of living in a tiny house. Have a great day!
Slightly off topic: The dog is so insanely cute! I am melting
This is AMAZING!! We are looking for some wooded acreage now to build a SMALL cabin.. our design is 600 sq ft, but we are coming from a 3000 sq ft home! We have already sold/donated about 75% of our material possessions.. Your doggy elevator is the best! Much happiness to you, my friends! You have inspired me to keep going with my dream!! Xoxo
Retired Book Nerd have you found anywhere to build yet? 👏👏
These women should be educational speakers regarding tiny living. Like seminars or whatever. I could listen to them for hours for some reason. Knowledgeable, Canadian (Bluenosers like me lol) & just soft calming friendly voices.
Thank you for sharing your lives.
What I really notice is how they've made a series of personal spaces that are both practical and comfortable. I love their house!
This was such a beautiful video to watch. Their home is lovely and they seem to have such a calming air about them. The doggy elevator is genius and I love the setup of their kitchen. I've been thinking/plotting/dreaming about my tiny house for about 6 months now, so hearing the experience of people after they've lived in it a while is invaluable. Thank you!
Tamara Woods my hubby and myself are plotting to build a log cabin on our land further away down our country lane out of sight of our home in the future (for peace and tranquillity), I love getting storage ideas and hearing the truth about the pros and cons here, I think lots of windows is a must. We hope to move there and give our children our home to live in as the property ladder is just impossible in this country. The ones that marry might not want to stay though 😄😄😄
These tiny homes are amazing!
Mrs Tracey Ní Breitheamh-Nesbitt. I wish you good luck in your future build! They really are amazing and afford such opportunities for people who are willing to give it a go. I don't mind a small home. Our apartment is about 390 sq ft at the moment. And these places are built with such much creativity and style.
Yes l think as we get older everyone learns that small is perfect for all necessity in life 😊. Best of luck to you too 👍
Tamara Woods for
Hey, Lady! It's such a small, weird world. 🙂
So you've fallen down the tiny-home rabbit hole as well, eh?
These ladies are absolutely inspiring! Thank you!
Such a beautiful home! That doggie elevator is a brilliant idea for that sweet pooch! I love all your videos - wonderful camera work and always so informative.
I LOVE Canadians (being one myself) - direct, knowledgeable, relaying a depth of information calmly, no frills and wonderful!!! I completely enjoyed this video!
I really enjoyed this video! Very eye opening and some really great real-life points that I haven't heard brought up often before. Love that they forced ahead with living legally, would love to see more of this!
What a lovely couple. I have been looking at a tiny home for years. I currently travel in an RV and am getting closer to going taking the leap. Well done story!
Nicky and Judy, thank you for sharing your journey to this place in your lives. Everything that you discussed in terms of long work hours with severely diminishing returns is applicable to my situation. I definitely will be leaving this 2000 sq. ft home behind in the not too distant future. I appreciate the time and introspection that you both made in choosing to reorder your lives. You have a beautiful home and wonderful solution to your pet's needs.
I love the simple life too.. this is our idea for when we are older.. I'm so happy for these ladies to live in their wonderful tiny home with their fur baby.. a warm and cozy feel, yet so much room! xo
Everything about this house is wonderful because of the attention to detail...the artistry of craftsmanship...from the wonderful exterior design and color to the invitingly comfortable interior. That two such wonderful people (plus the sweet pup) live in it is icing on the cake!
I'm German and I always thought this "Lüften", meaning opening the windows each morning and letting the air exchange, was totally normal and everyone did it :D It seems so obvious for me!
Absolutely one of the most beautiful tiny homes that I have ever seen out of hundreds of videos I have watched.
I am terminally ill and I quit dreaming about a future, literally. For years I also had planned on just moving around the country until I literally felt at home in alternative homes. Your home is my dream. Live it well ladies and savor your lifestyle.
GOD BLESS YOU BOTH. AND CARING FOR HIS ANIMAL🌾
God forbid relationship betwen same sexes, so God cant bless them until they change their orientation.
@@Jacodpst " Judge not, lest ye be judged". Your time would be far better spent making sure that you save your OWN soul instead of passing judgement upon others. That's God's job, NOT yours.
@@jakartaman3365 Im not judging, just warning :)
LADIES! I'M ALL ABOUT THAT DOGGIE-VATOR AND THE FRENCH FRIES!
Wow having the elevator for the older dog is so thoughtful of them. That's so awesome
That was so awesome. Love the puppy elevator. :) Thank you for the video.
You're very welcome! Thanks for watching :)
This build is amazing, But on top of that the couple you interview have such a great story, I'm glad others are sharing their alternative dwellings aswell, Thanks Mat and Danielle!
I feel like tiny houses are great for people who live alone or for temporary living. The couples who are able to do it well as a permanent solution are few so good on them!
But there's a lot we all can learn about with tiny houses so we can have more affordable homes with less maintenance and that way be able to live better, more fulfilling lives. I really like the passive house movement as well
What I love the most about tiny houses is the ability to make every inch perfect FOR YOU! I love the elevator, the butcherblock and cabinets in the kitchen, flower sink basin, the combination of wood and bright white walls. So warm and lovely!!!
A lady who lives tiny(not mobile) in Alaska had a huge problem with mold and Ariel at Fy Nyth also had mold, but when she got her woodstove that dried the air enough to take care of her mold problem.
Our house is big but it is not the cost that's too much- it is the endless amount of upkeep. Just to maintain the yard takes about 4+ hours to mow, trim and weed whack.
Doggy elevator. I'm done...that is just too cute!
Canada has better zoning laws available than the US does. Oregon parts of Washington some of California little bits here and there of other states have tiny house allowances. Most of those include RV parks in other mixed environments. we need more options for people for just tiny or small houses
Do you might know what are the zoning regulations in AB or BC?
Pete Nowikow,
Your blanket statement is not an accurate representation of the entire U.S. There are many states where there is little to no regulation in unincorporated areas. And there are even some incorporated towns that have no zoning at all. Like in Grafton New Hampshire.
Compared to germnay US laws are awesome! There is no big TH movement here (yet) but we hope that laws change it make it easier for all of us who adore smaller living!
Pete Nowikow agree
@@Chipwhitley274 I live in an unincorporated area in south Louisiana. Even though my lot is 180x200 and I have a small house with well and septic, I cannot put a tiny home on the property because "it is illegal to live in travel trailers in this area." Never mind that there are mobile home parks in this parish (county) with loads of travel trailers and people living in them.
Very informative and interesting. I love the minimalist concept but to a point where you don't need to suffer (hauling water jugs)!
The doggie elevator is what true love looks like. Good on them and kudos to the builder for comming up with that solution. /respect.
I love how the dog totally chills out for the elevator ride.
These ladies are so cute and their house, and the dog... and the dog elevator. Just cuteness overload!
This is one of the nicest and aesthetically pleasing tiny houses I have seen.
Hi. I live in a cave house in Andalusia - due to health concerns problems with mould are very important to me. It's a problem here due to the temperature difference between the outside and inside. We tend to get mould in doorway areas in winter. I spoke to one of the locals and her advice was to hang coarse rock salt in a net bag with a drip tray underneath. It works perfectly. They used it when these caves were used to house animals in winter, to keep the hay mould-free. Love your home. (Edit) I totally agree with you comments about house size - I've seen so many retired couples here take on huge cave houses and then find they don't have the time or energy to maintain them (they need regular maintenance) when they get older and then end up renting tiny flats on the coast whereas if they'd only settled for a smaller place initially...
Awwww, the doggy!!! Best feature ever, and the cutest, in a tiny house ^.^
I love the master of the tiny house has his own elevator!!
Two very articulate and thoughtful women. Thanks for sharing your experience and your concerns about sustainability. Not everyone can live in a tiny home, but all of us can make changes in our life or values to encourage sustainability. You two have inspired me to work harder in this area.
What a lovely couple. I love how they emphasis that you should build your house tailored to your needs. Make it something very personal rather than just a place to live in. I'm a teacher myself and want to build a tiny house. Thanks for the inspiration :)
Lovely home and such a nice couple!! Their home is shaped to their needs and wants and it was so nice to see them address the challenges they faced.
Thanks Ladies for your sharing your valuable information. Your home is beautiful and I wish you the best of luck living tiny!
i love tiny. the doggy elevator is great especially for older pets. the setup is perfect. so many storage spaces.
I like the longer format.
Thanks! We weren't sure if it was maybe too long so that's good know :)
I second that sentiment; this was a great, and even informative video without feeling as if it was inefficiently long.
your corgi monster just want to kiss hims /hres
m
I live in London in a one bedroom flat (apartment) humidity is terrible in the bathrooms and I have seen it in other places in the building, ours is confined to the bathroom as it only has a vent as opposed to a window and the windows in the living room are always open as access for the cats who will open them themselves if I don't leave them open.
Previously, living in the country in Scotland which is not really humid I have found that using any gas appliances causes horrendous condensation so in the cabin that I am building at the moment, the only reason I will have any propane or butane is because I make jewellery and I require it for smelting and other hot work (I'm also going to have a two ring hob just for emergencies when the woodstove/cooker isnt already on. Mostly this will be outside on the porch as I really don't want it inside again as a chronic sufferer of bronchitis and asthma, I don't need that inside any of my living spaces. ..I would be really careful with the propane useage as for every hour its on it produces gallons of water and nobody wants or needs that!
Elm TreeABC no problem. I have been in cottages with water practicality streaming down the walls because of propane or butane (there's a guide that you could probably Google that tells you how many litres of water are produced per hour...its scary but having seen it, it's true. I think you basically have to have windows wide open to counteract it and I am not even sure if that works. Thank you for the fan tip. I have just had my bathroom completely renovated and I was kind of waiting for the mould to appear, despite the anti mould paint. You might just have saved me having to repaint way earlier than need be. Good luck with your small house. I'm again a hostage to the Scottish weather but I will get there eventually lol!
Wow! I was so shocked to learn that they're from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia-- my home! Lovely couple, and lovely home. Thanks for the great video!
I would have liked a closer look at your kitchen but your home is so cozy and set up perfectly for yourselves. Really nice. What a lucky dog
I love architecture, especially when it blends function with need. Of all of the videos that I've been watching over the past several months revolving around Tiny Homes and downsizing, this is by far the best! Thank you to your production staff and the family that shared their journey with the process.
I've learned so much from your channel in my preparations for one day having my own tiny house! Thanks for all the content and keep it up! :)
Thanks Marcel, that's really great to hear! Best of luck with your futur tiny house :) :)
I love the longer video too, and also your short ones where you talk about your own experiences with living in a van. Great for a quick dose of minimalism in my day before setting on my own adventure. Hoping to get to Canada and travel around the country in a van just like you guys!
That purple in the bathroom is so beautiful 🥰
Wow! One of the most beautiful tiny homes I've seen.
also love the dog elevator and keeping the conveniences that work. might want to think of a deck.
I'm building a house truck and will definitely make a dogivator...best wishes from England UK
Simon Garlick hahaha a dogivator!! I love it.. good name for it!
The doggie elevator is a GREAT idea! So cool!
OMG I love this video!! The couple is soo cute , the doggy elevator the tiny house and the editing and care in filming was really awesome!!! Great job guys!!!
I have to add, that of the hundreds of Tiny Homes that I've viewed on TH-cam this is the best designed and the most beautiful that I've seen yet.
Kudos to you for kindness to your puppa. 🐕
I have seen a lot of tiny house videos but this is especially amazing! Love the house, love the couple:)
and they talk about a lot that usually isn't talked about like the mold and the insurance
Thanks for the positive feedback. Yeah, we were trying to make a longer video to show a bit more the pros and cons of tiny house life. Thanks for watching :)
Yes, i think for people who want to own it, information such insurance and legal side of it is very helpful.
I totally agree, lovely couple, so thoughtful. And I Love the doggie elevator, perfect solution. I worry a bit about cabin fever during winter months...their advice to try it by renting is wise!
Love the couple too! They are the kind of people I would want to hang out with! Just real and loving.
Coming from an ex-insurance background, and also having built a small cabin/interest in the tiny house sector, I am very grateful to have this perspective on creating a tiny home while also trying to play by the "rules". I really hope more people, and regulatory bodies start implementing solutions and options for people that want to do this- essentially it should be similar to a mobile home, at least I think so. Thanks for making the effort and sharing the process :)
Wonderful video as always! Thanks so much for making such high quality content. As someone who is highly interested in Tiny House living, it's great to hear from people that are doing exactly what I want to do. However, it's even more fantastic to hear the not so great side to small living. It really helps put things into perspective. Thanks again! Cheers.
Thank you ladies for sharing your experience. Your home is absolutely beautiful, love the dog elevator too! 🐕😊 I've been thinking about building a tiny house for over a year now, have read extensively about it and watched many videos, and by far, your video is the most informative. I wish you the best, and many, many great years ahead in your amazing house!
Love this video. It really addresses some of the less talked about issues of tiny home ownership. Thank you for doing this, it is GREAT.
Looks like you have what you need. I love it. Love the small space and the way you presented it. The longer format gave me a chance to see all the great details and gave you a chance to peacefully talk about it. Enjoy your life. Nice.
Many thanks to this lovely couple for sharing their story! I'd love to hear more stories about the good, bad & ugly from experienced "Mini Home" residents. ✌❤️😊
This is the best video you've done thus far. Very interesting and informative.
Planning on a fifth wheel for my daughter an me. You've given me a lot to think about and have offered so many great tips. Thanks for sharing this part of your lives.
Nicky and Judy thank you for your honesty about the life
Probably one of my most favorite videos on tiny house living. Very thorough. Thank you ladies for sharing your home and your story with us. ❤️
I love the elevator for their dog. What a great solution!
I love this couple and like listening to them talk. Plus, the lady in the tie dye shirt reminds me so much of my mom it's uncanny. ☺️
The house looks so cozy and comfortable, and that bathroom sink is neat.
I LOVE the doggie elevator. So sweet!
Really nice. I like the layout of this tiny house.
beautiful home for a wonderful family-- love that doggy elevator
Thank you for this video :) Love the long format, especially when what people have to say is so interesting!
this was a super awesome video. thanks for bringing such joy through your work...
The video was extremely informative. I love the couple. They are intelligent and well spoken. They have a beautiful home and, like many others, I just adored the doggie elevator. I would really like to see more videos like this that answers questions and shows real people living in the space with all their stuff. It's not realistic to only see pristine empty homes.
This is a great house and couple, favorite episode yet. Very calming.
Love this home and the couple. Great video!
Thanks Pamela =)
I love your tiny house. It’s perfect. And you both make sure it’s well taken care of.
the house is lovely, the dog elevator is such a wonderful thing, love it. love it . love it.❤
Good info. Thanks for sharing. One thing about humidity: I have now lived in our condo for 4.5 yrs now. One thing that was new to me was the fact that we had a thermostat for moisture. We had to program it for going on several times a day to keep humidity levels down to prevent mold. We adjust the timing for when we cook or shower, etc. It works wonderfully with no signs of mould anywhere. Condos these days are well sealed, so the fans in the bathrooms is what is timed to eliminate the problem. Maybe you could do that or get a small portable dehumidifier as Suzanne mentioned in her post. Hope you will have a beautiful life in your beautiful tiny home for many, many years.
PS: I live in Vancouver, BC. and am 73 y.o. now and in poor health. I need to be in an accessible area for all things, such as doctors and shopping. So, I cannot see myself in a tiny home. Besides, I have too much 'stuff' that I just couldn't live without yet.
But if I could live in an area such as you do, you wouldn't see me for dust, I would be gone so fast and build my own house. The one I have in mind would be a cob house, but preferably an earth ship. The only thing with a dwellings such as these, one would be saddled with land taxes. I got a lot of thinking still to do. I just need to find the right piece of land....Cheap!!
I am so happy to see women & Canadians on one of these videos. I did not think the tiny home lifestyle was available in Canada because everything I see is from the USA. I am an older woman in a big house that is far too large for me. I won't be able to afford it in retirement so therefore I have kept working. Your video gives me hope.