The Tiny House Movement (California)
Tiny houses are big news recently. From articles in daily newspapers like the LA Times, to layouts in shelter magazines like Dwell, everyone is talking about the growing trend of micro houses. What exactly is the Tiny House Movement?
At its most basic, it’s a rejection of the McMansions that were so popular in the 1990s and early 2000s. People are downsizing to simplify their lives, whether that be financially with lower mortgage and utility payments, or time-wise by freeing themselves from the maintenance associated with larger properties.
While the Tiny House Movement has a hipster vibe to it, evidenced by the array of bearded and bespectacled tiny house seekers on the TV show Tiny House Nation, tiny houses actually make a lot more sense for retirees. Logistically, a retired couple would be much more comfortable in a sub-400 square-foot house than a family of four with two rambunctious children. On a more abstract level, retirees often have a more unencumbered mindset, where they are ready to throw off the tethers of their previous life -- the big house, the demands of work and raising children – and just travel, explore, play, and generally enjoy life. Tiny houses allow for that. The Cottages at Golden Village Palms in Hemet, California, are a prime example of how tiny houses are the perfect fit for retirees. At just under 400 square feet, the cottages pack a lot of living space into a compact floorplan, so owners never feel they are sacrificing by downsizing. With full kitchens, living rooms, master suites, full bathrooms, and even patios for outdoor entertaining, the cottages have everything one would expect in a larger home, but all efficiently designed so there is no wasted space. Cottage owners also have access to Golden Village Palms’ unrivaled amenities, including three freeform pools, a fitness center, and a range of sports courts. Golden Village Palms is renowned for its convivial social atmosphere, with quilting clubs, morning boot camp classes, and the ever-popular concert series. With the free time gained by ditching unnecessary square footage, Golden Village Palms’ cottage owners are able to take advantage of the resort’s central location to explore all the best of Southern California. Palm Springs, Los Angeles and San Diego are all within a couple of hours, and the region’s temperate climate is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy golfing, hiking, fishing, boating, and even skiing during the winter months. Of course there is nothing wrong with just taking it easy and enjoying a glass of wine at one of the award-winning wineries in Temecula Valley!