Best Friends of 30 yrs Create Their Dream ‘Tiny Town’ for Retirement
Imagine dedicating the prime years of your life to your career, facing challenging days, celebrating milestones, and mentoring others. Then, you reach the exciting threshold of retirement. It’s not just the end of a career; it’s the start of a new adventure filled with tranquility.
This is exactly what a group of lifelong friends envisioned as they approached retirement. They wanted to make this new chapter unforgettable, and their brainstorming sessions were brimming with creative ideas.
The Dream of Tiny Town
Their discussions ranged from RV travel to settling on a plot of land. The breakthrough came when they discovered the rising trend of the tiny house movement. Tiny homes offered a blend of simplicity and modernity that perfectly matched their retirement vision.
Turning the Dream into Reality
To bring their vision to life, they enlisted the help of renowned architect Matt Garcia. The first step was finding the ideal location. After a thorough search, they acquired a beautiful 10-acre plot near the Llano River.
With the land secured, the design phase began. Matt’s task was to create five unique tiny houses, each reflecting the personality of its owner, along with a communal space for the community.
Designing the Tiny Homes
Each tiny house, though compact, was designed to be functional and cozy. It featured a queen bed, a loveseat, and a well-equipped bathroom. The communal area included a state-of-the-art kitchen, laundry facilities, a sleek flat-screen TV, and a large table for shared meals and celebrations.
Sustainable Living
Beyond creating a retirement paradise, these friends were committed to environmental sustainability. Their tiny homes were a testament to their dedication to reducing their carbon footprint.
A Blend of Urban and Rural Life
Interestingly, the tiny house lifestyle didn’t mean abandoning city life completely. Many of the couples kept their urban homes, allowing them to enjoy both the serenity of their tiny town and the vibrancy of the city.
Their tiny homes also found a new purpose as Airbnb rentals when not in use, adding an extra dimension to their project.
A New Chapter: ‘Our Exit Strategy’
Their community, named “Our Exit Strategy,” became a symbol of innovative retirement living. The name, proudly displayed at their entrance, reflected their unique approach to post-career life.
Jodi Zipp, a member of the community, summed up their journey beautifully: “Always be honest with your friends. If you can successfully navigate everyone’s ideas for what this can be, this kind of project can be an amazing experience and the perfect way to stay connected.”
What could be more heartwarming than embarking on a new journey surrounded by friends in a place filled with peace, harmony, and joy? Watch the video below to see how these friends turned their dream into reality.