My partner and I had always dreamed of having our own small space on wheels so we could live simply and have a flexible lifestyle.
So, in 2019, we began building our very own tiny home on a 32-foot trailer. After many months (and YouTube tutorials), it was complete.
For a while, we lived in it while parked on his parents’ property in New Jersey. By 2021, we’d decided to move our 350-square-foot build across the country to California, where we’d found a great tiny-home community in a national forest about an hour outside San Diego.
Although I’d been nervous about moving our home for the first time, it worked out — and our new community was wonderful. We loved taking advantage of our easy access to beautiful trails and mountain views and befriended our neighbors, too.
However, after years of secluded mountain living, we wanted a change of scenery and to be closer to a grocery store — the nearest one was more than 20 miles away, about a 35-minute drive.
We also wanted to be near more activities and be able to casually take pottery classes nearby or join a local soccer league.
So, we set our sights on Bend, Oregon. We had friends in the area and loved the idea of living in the Pacific Northwest, in a city with better access to what we wanted.
We spent a few months preparing for the move
After researching reliable moving companies, we estimated it would cost at least $3,000 to relocate our house. So, for months leading up to our move, we put as much money as possible into our savings account.
We also began looking for land in Bend that we could rent to place our house on. Eventually, we found a spot online by connecting with homeowners in the area who were interested in hosting us.
With land in place, we hired someone to drive our home to Oregon while my partner and I drove down separately with our dog.
Next, we needed to pack. On the bright side, no moving truck is needed when you’re moving your actual home. Instead, we filled our house.
We packed everything from our shelves and cabinets into boxes, using clothes to wrap plates, pans, and other breakables. Then those boxes were stacked and packed tightly in our living room.
To be extra cautious, we also secured our fridge and washer/dryer to the walls with bungee cords.
Moving day wasn’t perfect, but it went smoothly enough
On the day of the move, we dealt with minor car troubles and our first driver canceling, though another was sent in their place.
By then, we’d already decided to start our long drive, with our dog in tow.
Luckily, our friends in the community were able to meet the new driver and facilitate the move. The biggest relief came when they sent us videos of our house being hooked up and safely towed away.
Although the beginning of the moving day didn’t go as smoothly as intended, the rest of it did.
Sixteen hours of driving later, we met the driver and our house at the new property.
Once we arrived, we weren’t done. We leveled the trailer and added bottle jacks to help stabilize and support its weight. Next, we connected our plumbing and electricity.
Then we began the unpacking process. We started with our outdoor furniture, turf, and bikes — all of which we’d transported in the house.
Somehow, none of our belongings or furniture broke.
Although we won’t stay here forever, it’s great for now
The first few nights at a new spot are always my favorite. There’s nothing like looking up at the stars in a new view, but through the same familiar window.
When we first got to Oregon, we even saw the northern lights. New experiences like that are what make all the move preparation, anxiety, and change worth it.
So far, our new spot has been great, and the people we rent it from are incredible. It’s been convenient living just 10 minutes from a grocery store and 15 minutes from the center of town.
We have our own yard and a larger area for our dog to play — and we even ended up rescuing another pup. We’ve also built a small shed to use as an office, art studio, and gaming area.
We’re enjoying living here for now, but we would move our home again when we’re ready for a change. With a house on wheels, it’s nice to always have the option.
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