A New York mom who spent five years living in a converted school bus with her children has now built a tiny home setup on 11 acres near Corning, New York, according to Realtor.com. Victoria Neidhardt sold her home before the COVID-19 pandemic and converted a school bus into an off-grid home on wheels. What she thought might be a one-year adventure became a five-year stretch of traveling and living small.
Eventually, Neidhardt and her children were ready to put down roots again in New York’s Finger Lakes region. She and her husband, Tyler Neidhardt, bought 11 acres near Corning for $60,000. Instead of buying a traditional house, they built three tiny homes around a central courtyard.
The setup includes a 600-square-foot home for Victoria and Tyler and two 400-square-foot homes for her four children to share. Each of the children’s homes has two bedrooms, a shared common area, and a bathroom. At the time the homes were built, the children were 13, 14, 15, and 18.
The initial construction cost $85,000, Realtor.com reported. Since then, the couple has invested another $25,000 in upgrades, including sliding glass doors, built-in closets, and a loft bunk bed. The family has also dealt with the practical side of tiny living through two winters, including generator problems and frozen water supply issues.
How the Neidhardt Family Built Its Tiny Home Setup
Before building on the land, Victoria had already converted two school buses into homes before. That meant she already had experience with off-grid living before committing to a permanent tiny home arrangement. In fact, the family continued living in the bus while Victoria and Tyler started construction on the property, which did end up saving them some cash.
The couple wanted rural land with enough room for several structures. They were also looking for at least five acres of land. They ended up with 11 acres for $60,000 before getting their project underway. Within a year, they had built the three tiny homes with a shared outdoor space for their family.
Why the Family Chose Separate Tiny Homes
The arrangement gives the children significantly more independence while keeping the family close together. The two children’s homes are only about 10 feet from Victoria and Tyler’s home. Victoria explained that the entire family moves between all three homes, and typically spend time together at the main house as well.
The long-term idea is also tied to affordable housing for the children as they get older. Each tiny home is self-contained and solar-powered, which means the homes could be moved and used somewhere else. The couple also plans to build two more tiny homes so each child can eventually have their own space.