Buying a tiny home for retirement is an excellent way to shave expenses. The Family Handyman looks at 15 tiny homes for the retiree who wants a single-level tiny home or wants a sleeping area on the main/lower level.
The 10 Best Tiny Homes to Buy After Retirement
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![Little Bird Deluxe Model Creates Rustic Elegance](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dfh17sep036_02.jpg)
Little Bird Deluxe Model Creates Rustic Elegance
The "Little Bird" tiny home design from Zyl Vardos, Inc. has a unique, curved dormer roofline that creates a beautiful entry with double French doors. The larger curved steps made with cedar provide more space for people with problems walking and the stainless steel shower makes shower cleanup a snap.
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![Don Vardo from Portland Alternative Designs Is Great for Weekend Getaways](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dee-vardo-by-tammy.jpg)
Don Vardo from Portland Alternative Designs Is Great for Weekend Getaways
Most tiny home designs allow for more living space by putting the sleeping area in a loft that requires you to climb a ladder. And these ladders are often steep and narrow, making them dangerous for some retirees. Portland Alternative Designs, PAD for short, has the Don Vardo tiny home model. It is great for the retiree couple who only want something for weekend getaways. And it's built on a standard utility trailer frame so even many mid- or full-size cars can tow it. The main drawback is that it's so small that there's no kitchen and the shower is actually the back porch.
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![Traveler XL Is Designed for the Retiree Nomad](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dfh17sep036_04.jpg)
Traveler XL Is Designed for the Retiree Nomad
The Traveler XL tiny home from Escape Homes at 35 feet, including the hitch, is ideal for the retiree that plans to travel with their tiny home. And electric brakes, Hopkins break away system and load leveling jacks are all standard. Also extra safety options include grab bars and an electric cooktop.
Photo: Courtesy of Escape Homes
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![Minim House Does More with Less](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/minim-07_dsc1681.jpg)
Minim House Does More with Less
Although only 264 square feet (one of the smallest tiny homes on this list) the Minim House design maximizes the smaller space to feel like the larger models listed here. And there's an area with a 5-foot sofa with a top that reveals extra storage space. Adjacent to this is a platform that can hide a rollaway queen bed underneath and house a full-size bed on the platform. Minim House also has an off-grid option that can collect up to 290 gallons of water using the gutters on the roof.
Photo: Courtesy of Minim Homes
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![V House Lets You Customize to Your Heart's Desire](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dfh17sep036_08.jpg)
V House Lets You Customize to Your Heart's Desire
Most tiny homes give you a little leeway when it comes to customizing your tiny home. And the V House from Nelson Tiny Houses is so-named because of the variety and versatility your customization options represent. Their Little V model has a base price of $45,000. And Nelson says buyers can estimate the cost of their V House by adding approximately $200 per square foot to that.
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![The Tiny Studio Is 'Tiny Expandable'](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/tiny-studio-tiny-house-exterior-1.jpg)
The Tiny Studio Is 'Tiny Expandable'
The Tiny Studio from Tiny Home Builders has an interior width of 7.3 feet. But thanks to some ingenious storage designs, it feels bigger. The kitchen and dining area on one end sits on a platform that hides a roll-out bed that can double as seating when partially pulled out. The stairs leading up to the platform also pull out to reveal extra storage. There's also a 3 by 7 foot, 3 inch storage area above the bathroom of the same size. Tiny Home Builders specifically designed this model so it's as much at home behind your truck as it is permanently parked.
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![Alpha Has a Unique Swing-Down Patio/Porch](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/alpha-tiny-home-1.jpg)
Alpha Has a Unique Swing-Down Patio/Porch
The Alpha from New Frontier Tiny Homes places the living and sleeping areas at either end of the unit. And with both areas being two steps above the center entry area. This center area is dominated on one side by a window wall with sliding glass doors and a porch/patio that lowers out like a drawbridge. There's also a unique platform that triples as a bed base, dining table, and large storage compartment.
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![Wind River Monocle Tiny Home Has Two Sleeping Areas](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dfh17sep036_12.jpg)
Wind River Monocle Tiny Home Has Two Sleeping Areas
Climbing up a narrow ladder to get to bed can be problematic and dangerous for retirees. However, kids love them. Wind River's Monocle has both. Grandma and grandpa can sleep on the bed on the main level and the grandkids can climb the ladder and sleep in the loft. There's also a full-size soaking tub to relax in.
Photo: Courtesy of Wind River
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![Mini Motive Offers Fifth-Wheel Security While Towing](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dfh17sep036_13.jpg)
Mini Motive Offers Fifth-Wheel Security While Towing
The Mini Motive tiny home is one of only a few tiny homes that are equipped with a fifth-wheel trailer system instead of the less secure ball and socket hitch design. It's a modern single-level design that eliminates ladders.
Photo: Courtesy of Mini Motive
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![Elder Cottages Offers Many Options for the Elderly](https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/dsc00384a.jpg)
Elder Cottages Offers Many Options for the Elderly
As their name implies, Elder Cottages specializes in tiny home cottages for the elderly. And all doors offer wheelchair access, elevated toilets, and reinforced bathroom walls for grab bars are just some of the standard features of Elder Cottage tiny home models that are aimed at keeping retirees safe.