The joys of living in a tiny home
Nerrida, proudly born in 1948, has principally worked in education and the building industry. Despite this, at 50 she completed a Masters in Horticulture. Currently she is dealing with an unexpected lifestyle change caused by divorce after a 43 year marriage.
I've just started to unpack after six weeks in London and Provence. Suitcase open on my bed and new scarf from Arles still on my neck. A favourite vintage scarf adorns my wall, clipped onto coat hangers.
I have a mirrored wardrobe with drawers and just enough room to stand next to my bed. My room is tinier than the cabin on the barge I enjoyed on the Rhone and quarter the size of the room with futon on the floor of my son's London home. But at least it's my own room. A box on the top shelf holds my collection of over 100 silk scarves. It's a luxury I still have space to collect. This is the story of downsizing big time.
More than four years ago I moved into a flat I bought off-the-plan in 2009. It was supposed to be an investment but fortunately the property was completed just as my 43-year marriage came to an abrupt end in 2012.
My home is one of 15 on my floor, there are 30 levels and 500 apartments. About 10 per cent is owner occupied. It is 13 paces long and 6 paces wide, with a balcony adding 20 per cent onto the internal space.
I have come to love where I live, but I would move to a 2-bedroom flat in this building if the court ever rule on my divorce property settlement. A four-year legal process is taking up a big chunk of my planned retirement years. I would like to create a support group for retirees in limbo, as divorce at this age comes with a substantial drop in standard of living and clear lateral thinking is needed.
But I have a checklist of what my needs are, and this wee little home ticks those boxes.
I have a son sleeping on the fold-out couch next to my bedroom. He's wonderful company and watches my calorie intake. Light floods in from full height windows and my bedroom has an opaque glass wall so it's never dark. One reverse cycle is all the climate control I need, and is rarely needed.
There is only one shower, basin and toilet to clean. If it's urgent, there are spares in the gym and pool area. My only table is on the balcony. A fold-out-table and two chairs are used as needed. The kitchen, four paces long against one wall, is next to the "European laundry" a further pace along that wall. Kitchen and laundry basins are huge. Dishwasher, gas hotplates, oven and lots of drawers built in above and below. Big W and Woolworths are downstairs and supply my other needs.
I thank Ikea for all the remaining shelves on that wall. They hold kitchen appliances, telly, linen, fish, shoes and son's wardrobe.
I have a secure car space and a storage cage for seasonal wardrobes, books, bikes. There is even a friendly concierge to attend to the occasional visitor damage, disruption or lost key.
Living like this could be very hard if the property was far from urban facilities. It's the location that makes my life so enjoyable every day. I am close to a busy train station, two tram lines, attractive Yarra walks, a good library, busy shopping strips, a cinema complex next door and a unique shopping mall downstairs in my own building. Rubbish goes down a chute, my friends come to swim in a huge indoor pool with spa and saunas, and my doctor, chemist, hairdresser, nail salon, newsagent, supermarket, baker and fruiterer are all downstairs and accessed by my private internal lift. This lift also takes me to my favourite restaurant and coffee shop with free newspapers, Chinese cafe and other food outlets.
In summer my guests enjoy barbecues and tennis, and the cost of maintaining all this is shared by 500 other apartment owners, so it's great value.
I no longer worry about stairs, cleaning takes just minutes, and I feel safe. I am now used to a bubbly international atmosphere in the lifts and public open spaces and love that other occupants are young, smart and friendly. It's a mystery to me why some people choose retirement homes when towers like mine offer so much more. But each to his own.
It makes me sad that "middle suburbia" fight developments like mine. I say: "Come on in – the water's just fine.”
If you have a story to share please get in touch at melody@oversixty.com.au
Related links:
3 questions to ask before coming out of retirement
Tips for a happy and healthy retirement on a budget
Why I moved from Spain to Australia