Hello from sunny, expensive California!

[Colleen]

Hi everyone!
My name is Colleen, and I'm the mama to an 11-year-old and a 9-month-old. We have downsized since Baby Boy came, moving from 975+ square feet to about 660 square feet, and I still have more to get rid of. We were going to move into a tiny house, but that blew up, metaphorically, in an epic fashion.

I'm a writer, and I've been blogging about slowing down and simplifying because I believe so many of us are too proud of how busy we are, and we're missing out on getting to do the things we love. I speak from experience, and it's so ingrained that every day I struggle to remind myself that it's more important to be present in my children's lives and to do what brings me joy (writing) than it is to cross things off my to-do list.

It's exciting to me to have found this forum since there aren't too many like-minded people that I come across in my daily life here in Silicon Valley. This is close to the top of the list of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., and so we're making an effort to live frugally so we can make ends meet.

I'm looking forward to learning, getting tips from those farther along this journey, and if I can help others, that would be especially awesome. Thanks!

[Float On]

Welcome! I'm looking forward to reading more about your journey. Most people when they add children think they need to add space. I remember my mother-in-law saying "well...it's a starter home" when we bought a 1000 sq ft house after we married. The only thing we did was finish the big 500 sq ft attic into a 4th bedroom and big music room. We raised two kids in that house. I turned a downstairs small bedroom into a laundry room (tired of banging my head under the stairs with every load). Never did add on to the dining or make our master bath bigger. The boys are pretty much gone but I'm so glad they got to spend their growing up years in the same house.

[catherine]

Welcome, Colleen! So excited to hear more about your path to minimizing and downsizing, even as your family is upsizing!

[razz]

:welcome: from Canada!

[awakenedsoul]

Hi Colleen,

Welcome. I'm also living in a small house in California. Mine is a 567 square foot 1940's cottage. Like you, I'm also a blogger. It must be a challenge to have four people living in that sized home. Do you have a large yard? I've got two big dogs, but it helps that one likes to be outside most of the time.

I look forward to reading your posts. I've found it helpful to buy what's on sale at the grocery store. I try not to spend more than $1.00 a lb. on produce. I also take the bus and bicycle a lot of the time. How is the public transportation where you live?

[SteveinMN]

Welcome, Colleen!

I'm interested to read more about your ongoing efforts in simplicity. Your particular locale must present some unique challenges, what with the cost of housing and what I would expect is a cultural predisposition to having the latest and greatest everything at your disposal (Galaxy 7? That is so 2016! ;)). Do you write for the tech companies there?

[Teacher Terry]

Welcome! I too will be interested in how you make it work for 4 people in that small of a space. Since the weather is so nice where you live I would imagine you spend a significant amount of time outside so I am sure that really helps. when we retired and the kids were gone we downsized to 1400 sq ft and a lot of people thought we were crazy to live in such a small house:))

[Colleen]

I grew up in a very small house --750 square feet for a family of five -- so maybe I was conditioned at an early age to be content in a small house. It's great that your boys got to grow up in one cozy house. I'm a nomad at heart, but I understand the value of stability for kids, so I'm trying to provide that for my children.

[Teacher Terry]

Growing up we were a family of 5 in 1200 sq ft. But we lived in WI where you are stuck inside a great deal which I think makes a difference. We raised our 3 kids in a 1600 sq ft house. The neighbor kids were over a lot so it was nice to have the room.

[IshbelRobertson]

Welcome! I am a member on the 'other' side of the pond.

[Colleen]

Thanks everyone for the welcome! I'm still learning how to use this forum -- my reply to Float On posted under Teacher Terry. Hm.

[Colleen]

Awakenedsoul, I would love a 1940's cottage! It sounds so romantic. We actually have three people living in the apartment -- my fiancé lives in a town 2 hours away, and we'll have to keep up this arrangement for the next few years. It's not ideal, but we're making the best of it. So, periodically, there are 4 people in my house. We also have one black lab and an ornery cat. The apartment complex we're in just expanded our patio, so it's not large for a yard, but it's big for a patio. The combination of no yard + big dog means we get out for a lot of walks.

I like the idea of not spending more than $1/lb on produce. We're going to try to grow more food on our patio, and my parents have a garden and share their bounty. Public transportation is fine -- not great, but not horrible. Unfortunately, we moved farther away from my work after the tiny house didn't work out, so now I'm stuck driving, though it's only a 15-20 minute commute. Public transportation would take over an hour. :( As someone who worked for the local transit agency, it makes me sad that I can't use transit or bike more, but I opted for cheaper rent, so that was the trade-off.

[Colleen]

Hi SteveinMN!

I haven't done any tech business writing, since most of the tech is over my head. I do more writing for government agencies and occasionally for magazines or trade publications.

You're right, there is a predilection for the newest, latest tech toy, and the valley is full of early adopters. It kind of benefits me, though, because other people can be my testers. I can see what they like and don't like before I decide if I want to make an investment, and that way, I don't feel like it's such a risk. :D

[Yppej]

When I was first married we lived in a guest house, like Kato Kaelin. The "kitchen" was a minifridge and microwave and we washed dishes in the bathroom sink. We only moved because we relocated out of state. If you are happy that is all that matters.

[Colleen]

Yppej, that sounds small! The one thing I need is a way to cook and bake. It's how I'm trying to keep costs down, and with a baby, it's easier than going out. Our apartment kitchen is tiny, and we just have a breakfast bar, no table, but it works for us. Like you said, we're happy here and that's what matters.

[awakenedsoul]

Hi Colleen,
It sounds great. I used to have a black Lab, too. I loved him. They are such sweet dogs. That's an excellent commute for that area. I grew up in San Mateo. You are also close to Russian River, which is beautiful! I was just there visiting a childhood friend.
How nice that your parents will share their produce. I bet you will be able to grow a lot on your patio, especially herbs. Congratulations on finding an affordable rent. I would love to move to Healdsburg, but it's very expensive. It's such a charming town.

[philokalia]

Hi, Colleen, welcome! I used to live in Santa Cruz and we left in 2001 because it was so expensive then. I know it's only gotten crazier since.

You're very smart to live frugally so you can stay there. The whole Bay area is wonderful. I wish you much luck!

[Geila]

Hi Colleen! Fellow Silicon Valley dweller here. Our climate certainly helps make small space living more enjoyable. There is so much to do that's free and available year-round. And living simply is awesome of course. If you haven't read the book Your Money Or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin, I highly recommend it. It made a HUGE impact on my life and it made retiring in the Bay Area very doable.

Looking forward to hearing about your simple living adventures! :welcome:

[Colleen]

Thanks Philokalia! Do you miss the beach? I think that would be the hardest thing for me.

[Colleen]

Hi Geila,
I haven't read that book, but I've heard of it and was considering adding it to my list. Thanks for the recommendation! I'll see if our library has it.

Congrats on being able to retire here. I don't know if I'll be able to do that, but semi-retirement at least is a goal of mine. I want to keep writing as long as I can.