In search of an “exit strategy” from their busy city lives, a group of four couples created a community of custom-built tiny vacation homes to fulfill their grand retirement dreams. This environmentally conscious micro-housing retreat was tailored for each couple, providing a retreat within a community of close friends.
Approaching retirement, four Texan couples, bonded by over two decades of friendship, sought a serene escape from their Austin homes to reconnect with nature. Upon discovering a stretch of land near the Llano River, an idyllic nature haven just an hour from Austin, they recognized its potential, despite needing some improvements.
“At first glance, it wasn’t very inviting,” shared Fred Zipp, a former editor at the Austin-American Statesman, and his wife Jodi. The Zipps are part of the quartet involved in this eco-friendly project, aiming to minimize their collective carbon footprints.
“This place is like magic, but it’s dry,” said Zipp, mentioning wild buffalo herds roaming the rough land. “We’re trying to save water for the native trees and grass, which are luckily very beautiful.”
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At first, the friends planned on building one big house together. But then they heard about tiny houses becoming popular and thought smaller, separate houses with one shared building would be better.
Once architect Matt Garcia from San Antonio drew up plans, everything fell into place. Sticking to a $40,000 budget per home, Garcia, inspired by tiny houses, designed four small cabins. Each cabin has a bed, a small kitchen, and a bathroom, making their dream project a reality.
“We just wanted a spot where we could spend a lot of time together – eating, drinking, and chilling – but also have some privacy when someone needed a break from the group,” explained Jodi Zipp.
Going the extra mile, the roofs of the buildings gather rainwater for later use, following the landowner’s rules for water conservation. To beat the Texas heat, the tiny houses are insulated with spray foam and have big roof overhangs to keep the indoor space cool during the scorching days.
“The houses should look warm, not necessarily be warm,” explained Garcia. He balanced the cold metal exterior with a cozy design inside, featuring grained plywood.
“We wanted something warm to contrast the coolness of the metal outside,” Garcia said. The floors are poured concrete, maintaining a natural-looking gray. “It’s a high-design finish that doesn’t cost a lot.”
The open plan layout adds to the interior warmth, with large windows bringing in natural light and offering unobstructed views of the river.
Additionally, Garcia designed a 1,500-square-foot communal cabin, serving as a fantastic gathering space with a guest bedroom, living area, and a spacious kitchen for cooking, dining, and group activities. To top it off, there’s even a pool!
“If anything good came out of the recession, it was people hitting reset and realizing they don’t need so much space and stuff to be happy,” Garcia shared. “I love it, and I feel proud to be working with clients who have had that realization – that less is more.”
While the eight best friends aren’t quite ready for full-time retirement, their tiny community, fittingly named “Llano Exit Strategy” or “Bestie Row,” serves as a wonderful getaway. When not using the cabins, they generate extra income by renting the space to vacationers curious about tiny house living.
“It’s like a scene from a Disney movie out here. We encounter hares, bobcats, deer, and various birds. The more time we spend here, the more we discover,” they shared.
The online community had plenty to discuss after the story about “Bestie’s Row” was shared on Facebook.
One commenter expresses, “Fantastic idea! We always thought it’d be great if friends built close and supported each other as they age, even sharing the same caregivers.” Another adds, “What a powerful way to forge lasting connections! I’m sure they’re all just beautiful.”
While some commend the couple’s dedication to their friendships, others voice concerns about potential risks. “There goes the friendship,” one says, and another predicts, “They will stop being friends in 3 months flat.”
Building private tiny homes in a community with your best friends sounds like an awesome idea! Would you consider creating a micro-community to spend more time with your best friends? Share this story and let’s get the conversation going!