Best Friends Build Their Own Tiny Town To Grow Old Together
Four couples that have been best friends for 20 years wanted a better way to live closer to each other and closer to the environment, so they pooled their money and decided to build a small town just for themselves! Their settlement, called the ‘Llano Exit Strategy,’ features four tiny houses facing the Llano river outside of Austin, Texas.
The tiny homes, each of which cost roughly $40,000, were designed by architect Matt Garcia to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. They feature slanted roofs with water barrels that can hold up to 5,000 gallons of rainwater, reflective walls to keep out the unwanted Texas desert heat in the summer, and special insulated windows. The interiors are made of plywood, which keeps costs down and gives the homes a warm and spacious feel.
The group of friends spends time there as often as they can, and they make their retirement plans on this property.
More info: gardenandgun.com | mattgarcia.com | Facebook | Twitter (h/t: huffpost)
These four couples have been best friends for 20 years, so they decided to make a tiny town just for themselves
They pooled their money and build a small and sustainable place where they could grow old together
Each of these homes cost only $40,000
Every 400-sq-ft cabin at the ‘Llano Exit Strategy’ has a queen-sized bed, a couch, a bathroom and a porch
The interiors are covered in plywood – “It’s a high-design finish that doesn’t cost a lot of money,” said architect Matt Garcia
Their roofs collect rainwater into water barrels that can hold up to 5,000 gallons
“This is a magical place, but it’s arid. We’re doing what we can to reserve as much water as possible for the native trees and grasses,” said resident Fred Zipp
The corrugated steel exteriors reflect sunlight, helping to keep the inside cool in the summer
“It’s like a Disney movie out here. We have hare, bobcat, deer, and all kinds of birds. As we spend more and more time here, we find more and more,” said resident Jodi Zipp
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Awesome idea, but $40,000? They are simply fancy sheds. Should be much less expensive, unless this is also counting well and septic and land
Bought a very nice shipping container six years ago with added side door and two vent panels freshly painted. Cost, $2100 9x9x40ft. Two would have made a nice small home.
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They have a 1,500 sq ft community building with kitchen, meeting space and accommodations for guests.
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Oh hells no! Is that a tiny kitchen at the end of the bathroom? Wife cooks while hubby's s******g on the toilet. The smell! The toilet mist!
I saw that & can only hope there's a pocket door or *something* separating the areas when needed!
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I'm not sure about this the kitchen and the bathroom are together.....but.....if it works for them than that's great
What an awsome ideal. .All they need is solar panels and or a wind turbine. .Start a garden and get some chickens..If the river has fish the
I agree - they need sustainable energy. And BIG yes to garden/chickens. It IS possible to garden there, but you need to know what to plant
Load More Replies...
Wow! Awesome! Wish there were more communities as such outside of the Austin Area for single individuals such as Me!!👍
I guess if you don't mind feeling "closed in", it would be okay. Where do they cook? Shower? Photos always makes places like these look bigger, so I can only imagine just how small they are in real life. I don't think I could do it.
$40K and no kitchen? Low end pylwood is not a high end finish, maybe a nice Birch Veneer Ply would have been better. I like the idea of Tiny communities, but the price tag for what they get here is high and no private spaces at all....that is gonna get old.
I love the idea that people are getting together, purchasing land and creating tiny communes. We have become so dependent upon corporate stores and computers that we have lost the art of being friends and neighbors. The Lucky Penny commune is another favorite of mine. I hope this becomes the wave of the future. It would help solve the problem of where to park our THOWs and it creates a layer of protection when you live in a small commune with friends who are aware you are there and can call for help needs be. I think 40K is a little steep for these tiny houses; especially if it doesn't include the land and septic, but obviously they could afford it and now they have something special for themselves.
I think it's great It's creative, fun, and each unit is like a nice hotel suite. They're free from maintaining tons of c**p in retirement.
How does two couples and a hot guy equal four couples? There must be some shed-hopping going on.
So you can sit on the toilet while peeling potatoes? I've never been good at multi-tasking so that part of the design won't work for me...
I love it! The idea that is. I noticed in one of the pics that your bed and living together. Would seperate that. But awesome idea overall.
This is a such a great idea- bestfriends living next to each other! I just hope they have WiFi! :D
This is the communal eating, cooking, guest house and entertainment area. http://gardenandgun....egy-Texas-3.jpg
I think they have to rethink where you take a shower- http://gardenandgun....egy-Texas-8.jpg
This is the communal cooking area, recreation area, and guest house. http://gardenandgun....egy-Texas-3.jpg
$40K and no kitchens? Plywood is not a high end finiish, perhaps if it was a Birch Veneer high end ply...maybe. I have seen a lot of Tiny houses and prices tags vary greatly. For what they are getting here, it seems a high price, but I love the idea of Tiny communities.
Not for me to remote, houses to close together. I do need privacy sometimes and don't think this would provide that.
not for me to remote and the houses to close together. I need privacy sometimes.
they look good but i would be worried if they wernt insulated , the roof doesnt appear to be , and living in an arid place you would need bi
How does two couples and a hot guy equal four couples? Must be some shed-hopping going on...
I think there is a community kitchen on the property. I wasn't concerned about a place to eat but a place to cook prepare food.
Load More Replies... No kitchen? They do tend to be the most costly, but I would think you're going to want one.
I dont think WA state would even let you. Their zoning up here reflects a lot of that same socialist c**p that CA has.
When living in there it must be a mess all the time , ware do they all get together no tv no kids !!
the food and the toilet are in the same room? it's like a kitchen-bathroom! that's really unsanitary!
Bored Panda! - Android Apps on Google Play http://bit.ly/1H6DWWT
Am I the only one who is confused that there were only FIVE people in the group being described as "These 4 couples"?
Um, kitchen? Pantry? Food stores? Methinks it needs more planning.....
All that room for bed and couch ,but just a little corner for a hot plate and tiny fridge? I need a larger space for cooking.
40k for these homes is very reasonable. We have something similar on Green Bridge Farm. Www.greenbridgefarm.com
40k for these " sheds" is very reasonable. I would love to see one of these on Green Bridge Farm. Www.greenbridgefarm.com.
insane amount of money for 400 sq ft ... too bad that they couldn't have done it more reasonably and saved some money for their old age
wonderful concept! altho the home alone of this basic size and style would cost more like $20k max
Love it. However, no mention of cooking facilities. Grilling isn't fun in the rain or snow. :)
I would like a spacious kitchen with a big table. As they are longtime friends they would like cooking and eating more than once a week, not
Other then the bathroom/kitchen area I could live there but it may get a little close for 2 after a while.
I want a village with all my friends too but i think i'll need about 4 villages to have all the people I like....
Really neat, was just thinking why not paint the plywood? and no privacy blinds or curtains on the windows?
Idea is pretty awesome, but I think a bigger space is going to be needed soon & also I wonder where will they eat?
My Uncle Charlie got a fantastic yellow Lexus LS 460 Sedan just by working online with a macbook air... see post. www.extra-salary24.com
Awesome idea, but $40,000? They are simply fancy sheds. Should be much less expensive, unless this is also counting well and septic and land
Bought a very nice shipping container six years ago with added side door and two vent panels freshly painted. Cost, $2100 9x9x40ft. Two would have made a nice small home.
Load More Replies... They have a 1,500 sq ft community building with kitchen, meeting space and accommodations for guests.
Load More Replies... Oh hells no! Is that a tiny kitchen at the end of the bathroom? Wife cooks while hubby's s******g on the toilet. The smell! The toilet mist!
I saw that & can only hope there's a pocket door or *something* separating the areas when needed!
Load More Replies... I'm not sure about this the kitchen and the bathroom are together.....but.....if it works for them than that's great
What an awsome ideal. .All they need is solar panels and or a wind turbine. .Start a garden and get some chickens..If the river has fish the
I agree - they need sustainable energy. And BIG yes to garden/chickens. It IS possible to garden there, but you need to know what to plant
Load More Replies... Wow! Awesome! Wish there were more communities as such outside of the Austin Area for single individuals such as Me!!👍
I guess if you don't mind feeling "closed in", it would be okay. Where do they cook? Shower? Photos always makes places like these look bigger, so I can only imagine just how small they are in real life. I don't think I could do it.
$40K and no kitchen? Low end pylwood is not a high end finish, maybe a nice Birch Veneer Ply would have been better. I like the idea of Tiny communities, but the price tag for what they get here is high and no private spaces at all....that is gonna get old.
I love the idea that people are getting together, purchasing land and creating tiny communes. We have become so dependent upon corporate stores and computers that we have lost the art of being friends and neighbors. The Lucky Penny commune is another favorite of mine. I hope this becomes the wave of the future. It would help solve the problem of where to park our THOWs and it creates a layer of protection when you live in a small commune with friends who are aware you are there and can call for help needs be. I think 40K is a little steep for these tiny houses; especially if it doesn't include the land and septic, but obviously they could afford it and now they have something special for themselves.
I think it's great It's creative, fun, and each unit is like a nice hotel suite. They're free from maintaining tons of c**p in retirement.
How does two couples and a hot guy equal four couples? There must be some shed-hopping going on.
So you can sit on the toilet while peeling potatoes? I've never been good at multi-tasking so that part of the design won't work for me...
I love it! The idea that is. I noticed in one of the pics that your bed and living together. Would seperate that. But awesome idea overall.
This is a such a great idea- bestfriends living next to each other! I just hope they have WiFi! :D
This is the communal eating, cooking, guest house and entertainment area. http://gardenandgun....egy-Texas-3.jpg
I think they have to rethink where you take a shower- http://gardenandgun....egy-Texas-8.jpg
This is the communal cooking area, recreation area, and guest house. http://gardenandgun....egy-Texas-3.jpg
$40K and no kitchens? Plywood is not a high end finiish, perhaps if it was a Birch Veneer high end ply...maybe. I have seen a lot of Tiny houses and prices tags vary greatly. For what they are getting here, it seems a high price, but I love the idea of Tiny communities.
Not for me to remote, houses to close together. I do need privacy sometimes and don't think this would provide that.
not for me to remote and the houses to close together. I need privacy sometimes.
they look good but i would be worried if they wernt insulated , the roof doesnt appear to be , and living in an arid place you would need bi
How does two couples and a hot guy equal four couples? Must be some shed-hopping going on...
I think there is a community kitchen on the property. I wasn't concerned about a place to eat but a place to cook prepare food.
Load More Replies... No kitchen? They do tend to be the most costly, but I would think you're going to want one.
I dont think WA state would even let you. Their zoning up here reflects a lot of that same socialist c**p that CA has.
When living in there it must be a mess all the time , ware do they all get together no tv no kids !!
the food and the toilet are in the same room? it's like a kitchen-bathroom! that's really unsanitary!
Bored Panda! - Android Apps on Google Play http://bit.ly/1H6DWWT
Am I the only one who is confused that there were only FIVE people in the group being described as "These 4 couples"?
Um, kitchen? Pantry? Food stores? Methinks it needs more planning.....
All that room for bed and couch ,but just a little corner for a hot plate and tiny fridge? I need a larger space for cooking.
40k for these homes is very reasonable. We have something similar on Green Bridge Farm. Www.greenbridgefarm.com
40k for these " sheds" is very reasonable. I would love to see one of these on Green Bridge Farm. Www.greenbridgefarm.com.
insane amount of money for 400 sq ft ... too bad that they couldn't have done it more reasonably and saved some money for their old age
wonderful concept! altho the home alone of this basic size and style would cost more like $20k max
Love it. However, no mention of cooking facilities. Grilling isn't fun in the rain or snow. :)
I would like a spacious kitchen with a big table. As they are longtime friends they would like cooking and eating more than once a week, not
Other then the bathroom/kitchen area I could live there but it may get a little close for 2 after a while.
I want a village with all my friends too but i think i'll need about 4 villages to have all the people I like....
Really neat, was just thinking why not paint the plywood? and no privacy blinds or curtains on the windows?
Idea is pretty awesome, but I think a bigger space is going to be needed soon & also I wonder where will they eat?
My Uncle Charlie got a fantastic yellow Lexus LS 460 Sedan just by working online with a macbook air... see post. www.extra-salary24.com
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