WHO I AM AND WHY I WANT TO LIVE IN A TINY HOME

After becoming a widow in 2011, my priorities became my family. With 5 grown children and 4 grandchildren in 5 different states, my first thought was to buy a van conversion to travel to visit each one for a couple months at a time. But now in only 3 states, and with two sons and my only 4 grandchildren here in FL, I’ve decided a tiny home near them is a better idea.

Why tiny? I found myself living in two main rooms, rather, a great room of the home I shared for 3 years with a friend in New Orleans, for 2 years with my daughter in Philadelphia, and now, in Jacksonville, FL in an apartment. The great room, or kitchen/living/dining-room/office combo is where I hang out. Of course, a bathroom is a necessity as is a bed on which to lay my head @ night. But if I’m not outside for a walk, running errands, or @ one of my son’s homes, you’ll find me in my great room.

I, like so many others, have come to realize that “less is (truly) more.” I not only don’t require much space but the amount of “stuff” I have is inversely proportional to the amount of happiness I experience. It doesn’t take as much money nor time to take care of less “stuff.” So that equates to more time to enjoy myself, my family, friends, rather than having to spend my time to not only earn more money to purchase, provide upkeep, as well as the time to arrange and clean said “stuff!”

 HELP US

This semi-retired Certified Lymphedema Occupational Therapist has researched going tiny for 4 years now. My current dilemma is, however, where to park it in Duval County, here in Jacksonville, FL.  Since THOW’s (tiny homes on wheels) aren’t “legal” in Duval County, and they are too small to qualify in a mobile home park (minimum 900 square feet),  I would need to find an RV park which are few and far between.

Hence, the creation of this website to help locate other tiny home enthusiasts who would be interested in helping me approach the Zoning Board seeking approval like was done in Rockledge, FL recently, as well as in many other counties all over the country. So if tiny homes were to be approved in Duval County, the persuit of forming a pocket park, or a tiny home community may become a reality. I do see this as a possible 5 year project. But like I said, I need others on the “committee.” Anyone interested?

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Lillyn Bennett, LOTR, CLT (904)513-1622