Once upon a time, I had a website that I called "The Wordsmith's Page." It showcased my books and my editing service. In time, it came to serve as an outlet for my articles and even a few photographs. The picture, above, was the banner photograph.
If I were to categorize my shorter works, I would have to say they can be said to be related to the Cottagecore interior design style. It is a style that harkens back to the days of yore, when we imagine life was much simpler than it is today. It is a picnic on a red checkered tablecloth. It is rooms filled with vintage furniture, lots of books, and lots of clutter. It is popping corn over an open fire. In short, it is a style and a lifestyle that make one feel warm and cozy.
Except that I tended to put a problem-solving twist on my articles. They were about finding affordable ways for seniors to live. These days, I would need to amend my articles to include others who find themselves downsized out of the workplace. They exist in much larger numbers than we might think, and they find themselves having to live in their cars, remodeled SUVs, campervans, and even travel trailers that sometimes are older than they are.
It may seem wonderfully romantic to turn a cargo van into a home or to build a tiny house and take off down the highway. Sadly, many problems go along with it, especially high gasoline prices, personal safety, and the never-ending question of where one can park legally. It seems that not all jurisdictions are happy to receive these nomads.
Nor are jurisdictions happy to receive tiny houses, which are too heavy to be towed by affordable vehicles. They are also quite expensive to obtain, with costs averaging between $30,000 and $60,000 for a mere 100 to 400 square feet. That works out to between $150 and $300 per square foot. Factor in the cost of the towing vehicle, taxes, and insurance, and we can see why fewer people are able to afford the tiny house option.
As can be expected, since Quartzsite, Arizona, isn't the ideal campground beyond the winter months, our nomads are exploring other options. So will we. We will see that, again, many jurisdictions are not accepting these options, no matter how well designed and decorated they may be.
More later.
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SIDEBAR
Beware of old mobile housing options. A couple lost their 1970s campervan when a gasoline leak caused a blaze that reduced their home to rubble in a matter of minutes. The generally accepted advice is to buy the newest that you possibly can afford.
Watch it on YouTube: Our Campervan Is Destroyed | Scariest Day Of Van Life - YouTube
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