They Downsized in Retirement—and Cut Their Living Expenses Dramatically
When Pam and Jeff retired, they started thinking seriously about what they wanted the next chapter of their lives to look like. They had a large home in Kansas City, but with just the two of them, they no longer needed all that space—or the expenses that came with it.
Their solution was a dramatic downsizing: moving into a 399-square-foot tiny home in a Tiny House Community in Mount Vernon, Texas.
For them, the goal wasn’t simply to own a smaller house. It was to create more financial freedom and more time to enjoy retirement together.
“We decided, you know, we don’t need all of the room that we have in this house. Let’s go into a tiny house, live comfortably, and be debt-free and spend time with each other. There’s nothing better than that.”
Buying a Tiny Home Without Ever Stepping Inside One
Pam and Jeff took an unusually big leap of faith when they decided to go tiny. In fact, they ordered their home while they were on a cruise, emailing back and forth with the salesperson about finishes, options and upgrades.
Even more surprising? They had never stepped foot inside a tiny home—or visited the community where they planned to live.
“People think we’re crazy for the way we did it,” Pam says. But at 399 square feet, they weren’t particularly concerned about living in close quarters.
After selling their Kansas City home, they used the proceeds to pay cash for the tiny house and pay off their remaining debt.
“Now basically we’re debt-free. We couldn’t have done that living in our large house.”
They knew this would likely be the last home they purchased, so they didn’t hold back when choosing upgrades. All said and done, they estimate they spent close to $150,000 on the home.
Finding the Right Tiny Home Community
The house itself was only half of the equation. Pam and Jeff also needed somewhere they genuinely wanted to live.
They were looking for a small town rather than a big city, but still wanted amenities nearby, access to nature and a strong sense of community. The Oaks on 37 checked those boxes.
The property combines an RV resort with a separate, secluded 30-home tiny house community surrounded by oak trees. For Pam and Jeff, amenities including a swimming pool, gym and laundry facility were a bonus, as was the ability to install a fenced yard for their dog, Penny.
Their $699 monthly lot rent includes unlimited water, Wi-Fi and lawn care. Combined with their other changes, the financial difference from their previous life has been significant.
“Our expenses are probably an eighth of what they were in Kansas City.”
Key Features of Pam and Jeff’s Tiny Home
399 square feet with no sleeping loft
Large screened-in porch and outdoor living room
Outdoor wood-burning fireplace and large-screen TV
Full-size electric range and refrigerator
Compact dishwasher
Microwave, air fryer, convection oven and grill combination
Mobile kitchen island on wheels
Soft-close cabinetry and drawers
Full-size powered reclining couch
Multiple mini-split heating and cooling systems
Washer and dryer
Spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower
Full-height ceilings throughout
Main-floor bedroom with a split king adjustable bed
Six large bedroom drawers plus additional overhead storage
Carport, fenced yard and additional storage beneath the home
The Porch Became Their Favorite Room
Although their interior measures just 399 square feet, some of Pam and Jeff’s favorite living space is technically outside the house.
They specifically wanted a large porch and had it screened in, creating an outdoor living room complete with comfortable seating, a television and a wood-burning fireplace.
It’s also where their Kansas City Chiefs fandom is proudly on display.
“This is the biggest part of our home that we love—the outdoor sitting area.”
They estimate they spend about 80 percent of their evenings on the porch. It’s a great example of how outdoor living space can make a tiny home feel considerably larger without adding interior square footage.
A Tiny House That Doesn’t Feel Tiny
Inside, Pam and Jeff chose a rustic farmhouse style with shiplap, warm finishes and plenty of places to display personal decor.
The kitchen has mostly full-size appliances, while a movable island allows the room to adapt as needed. Storage was incorporated throughout the house, including an especially simple trick in the laundry area: when the dryer isn’t being used, Pam stores the laundry supplies inside it.
Skipping a loft also allowed them to devote more space to the bathroom and bedroom. Their bedroom accommodates a split king adjustable bed with room to walk on either side, while the bathroom includes a generously sized walk-in shower with both rainfall and handheld shower heads.
Despite moving from a much larger house, storage hasn’t become the problem they expected. Pam says they haven’t even needed all of the storage available underneath the home.
Trading Square Footage for Financial Freedom
For Pam and Jeff, downsizing wasn’t about seeing how little they could live with. It was about deciding what they wanted more of.
They wanted less debt and fewer household expenses—but more time together, more financial freedom and a home designed around how they actually spend their retirement.
And after making the move, neither seems interested in going back.
“This is the greatest decision that we’ve ever made…Other than marrying each other.”
For anyone considering a similar move, their message is simple.
“Just take the leap. You will never regret being financially free and being able to enjoy life together.”
At 399 square feet, their house may technically qualify as tiny. But after creating a home around the life they actually want to live, Pam and Jeff say it doesn’t feel that way at all.
“Not once have we ever felt cramped. I can’t think of a better decision.”
