Movin' On Up!

I've been sidetracked a bit over the last few weeks by the more typical and mundane aspects of making our transition from corporate life to ranch living.  Organizing.  Packing.  Real Estate Negotiations.  Home Inspections.  Yada, yada, yada...

But, there's one thing about our move that is anything but typical.  As Americans most of us subscribe to the theory that "bigger is better" and we progress throughout our lives accumulating nicer stuff and bigger homes to enjoy that stuff in.  When I think back on the tiny bedroom I shared junior year of college with Kate and Laurie, where we literally had to build a custom loft in order to fit all three beds in the room; how did we do it?!  Then my first post-college apartment with three roommates, my next with two roommates, before I finally I got my own apartment!  Followed quickly by buying a townhouse, then upgrading to a luxury condo, before Andy and I bought this beautiful 2,000 sq ft Tudor Home built in 1940.  Hardwood throughout, granite counter tops, even a koi pond.  It's perfect.  The obvious next step would have been to wait until we had a few kids, then upgraded to 3,000+ sq ft home with some bonus rooms and a pool to keep everyone entertained.  But, we veered off this track.

Onto one that won't support the mindless consumption we were falling into.  Since we're going to be starting a business we're going to need all our cash to invest in that.  And, the monthly expenses that we currently tolerate (because we can afford them) won't be doable in our new reality.  So, the buck stops here!

We're not moving into a bigger house.  And prepare yourself, because this is kind of hilarious.  We're moving into a 1,000 sq ft mobile home.  Yeah.  It's a lot like the ones you see in those trailer parks you drive by, but probably newer and nicer.  They don't do wood paneling on the inside anymore - it's just drywall.  And for the record, granite counter tops were an option, but we declined.  Went for the laminate (but with the rounded edge.  Clutch.)  For those of you who are curious you can check out the floor plan (see below).  We opted for the master bath, and also added on a front porch coming off the end with the kitchen.  It may not look like much on paper, but wait until you see photos of the views.  I know I've been slow to start sharing photos of the ranch, but stay tuned.  We'll be there in a month, and we'll all get our fill!

Home Sweet Home - all 1,000 sq ft of it...

One of the biggest things I'm preparing for is that there is literally no extra storage space.  There are closets in the bedrooms, and a pantry, but no hall closet - no 400 sq ft basement like the one we have filled with stuff in our current house.  Which means, my work is cut out for me.  Craigslist and thrift stores are my friends, and we're going to have to learn to live with much less.  Funny enough I'm excited for the challenge.  Andy's the king of frugal living, so this challenge was made for him!

If you have a chance, share any tips/tricks that you've found help you live lighter.  Do more with less.  Or, any organization/storage ideas that might be lifechangers for us!

And, please don't start collecting "trailer trash" jokes to use on us.  Actually, I take that back - we'll probably get a kick out of them.