Inside tiny home village mother built for her children
Is this the future of Australian housing as kids find they can’t afford to buy a home anywhere?
With the dream of a property becoming impossible for the next generation, one woman has ditched the traditional family home for a radical “tiny” residence that guarantees her four children a roof over their heads.
The move comes as research from Finder.com.au revealed home purchases are becoming increasingly challenging for those without access to parental financial help.
Finder.com.au polling showed 52 per cent of first-home buyers rely on parents – whether it’s money, living at home, or acting as loan guarantor – with some even receiving inheritances.
Another 17 per cent worked a second job to get a deposit together.
US mum Victoria Neidhardt refused to let her children be locked into a mortgage that would take decades to pay off.
“I didn’t want to buy a traditional house. I wanted to build what we wanted,” she told Realtor.
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Tyler and Victoria Neidhardt built three separate tiny houses with a central courtyard on their property. Picture: Instagram/@ournomadlife_
The tiny house the couple shares is 55sq m, while the four children share two tiny homes. Picture: Instagram/@ournomadlife_
After ditching her 280sq m home in New York, Victoria and her husband Tyler purchased 4.4ha of rural land for $US60,000 ($A90,000).
Instead of one big house, they built three separate tiny homes with a central courtyard.
The primary pad which Victoria shares with her partner is 55sq m and contains the kitchen and living area.
Her four children, aged between 15 and 20, share the other two tiny homes.
Each kid-centric house features two separate bedrooms, a common room, and a bathroom.
Victoria Neidhart and her husband built these tiny homes for themselves and her four children. Picture: Supplied
The setup copped significant backlash online from critics who claimed she wasn’t “keeping an eye” on her teens. Victoria said the critics were wrong.
The teenagers’ homes are located just 3 metres from her own front door.
“We are between all three of the homes all the time,” she said. “Or we are all in the main house, all together.”
Victoria had previously converted two school buses into homes, where they lived while constructing the tiny homes.
Victoria had previously converted two school buses into homes, where they lived while constructing the tiny homes. Picture: Facebook/Our Nomad Life
The three houses were initially constructed for $US85,000. Picture: Instagram/@ournomadlife_
Victoria said the homes were built to be transportable. Picture: Instagram/@ournomadlife_
The “village” cost just $US85,000 ($A127,000) to construct. Since then, the couple has invested a further $US25,000 ($A37,000) in upgrades like wood stoves and solar systems.
For a total investment of roughly $US110,000 ($A165,000), Victoria has provided a permanent housing solution for her entire family.
While traditional houses offer no flexibility, these pods are designed to be moved.
“My kids are getting older and won’t be living at home that much longer,” Victoria said.
The ultimate goal is to provide affordable housing to the kids when they start out on their own.
Victoria Neidhart and her husband built these tiny homes for themselves and her four children. Picture: Supplied
They can stay on the property to save money, or if they decide to move, their houses can be relocated to a new block and be instantly liveable off-grid.
The family plans to build two more tiny homes this year so every child has their own private dwelling.
Victoria and Tyler have since turned their workaround into a full-time business called Blackbird.
Work keeps the pair busy, given that more and more people are facing that familiar question, making similar decisions to exit the traditional way of life and set off on the unknown path.
Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and was republished with permission.
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