I'm a New Yorker who stayed in a tiny house for the first time. The cozy experience made me want to give up city life forever.

Erin McDowellJun 4, 2024, 01:33 IST

After staying in a tiny house in North Carolina for the first time, this New Yorker thought it was comfortable enough for an extended stay.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I'm a New Yorker who stayed in a tiny house for the first time during a trip to North Carolina.
The house was located in rural Efland, North Carolina, and was a perfect retreat from city life.

I traveled from New York to North Carolina to try out the local food scene and explore some real estate.

During the trip, I decided to stay in a tiny house for the first time to see if it was something I'd do again.

I have become quite accustomed to the comforts of city life. However, I grew up on a farm in England and then another in Connecticut, so I was interested to see whether the more rustic lifestyle could tempt me to leave New York, where rent prices are becoming increasingly untenable.

According to one recent report, the average rental price for a one-bedroom in New York City is a staggering $3,775 a month. Suddenly, living in a rural tiny house is sounding a lot more appealing.

Here's what it was like.

I arrived at the tiny house in Efland, North Carolina, on a hot summer afternoon.

The chicken coop.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

One of the owners of the tiny house was gardening when I arrived.

The garden at the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When I arrived, the tiny house looked even more quaint in person.

The outside of the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was a bench with colorful cushions outside the tiny house.

The outside of the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After using the code to get into the tiny house, I took some time to look around.

Inside the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I spotted a daybed covered with colorful blankets and pillows.

The daybed.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Before coming to the tiny house, I worried about how comfortable I would be in such a rural setting. However, touches throughout made me feel right at home.

A shelf with fake candles and a reed diffuser.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The most stunning part about the tiny house, I thought, was the view.

The table and stools inside the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The tiny house had a full-size kitchen and everything you needed to make a meal.

The kitchen.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Just like with the rest of the house, handmade elements really added to the experience.

The kitchen.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The owners also left me some farm-fresh eggs from their own chickens.

Fresh eggs left in the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was no dishwasher in the tiny house, but there was a large farm sink.

The kitchen sink.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

On a bookshelf, a welcome book listed the house rules and gave some recommendations for things to do in the area.

A bookshelf with the welcome book.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

String lights were hung throughout the space, giving the house a warm, inviting glow.

The spiral staircase leading up to the loft.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

A wooden desk overlooked the front of the property.

The office area of the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bathroom was the smallest space in the house.

A tile mosaic on the floor of the bathroom.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was a small bathroom sink that worked perfectly for one person.

The bathroom.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

One of the most interesting parts of staying in the tiny house was the shower.

The galvanized bathtub.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After settling into the house, I decided to take a spin around the property right outside.

Chickens walking outside the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There were two red Adirondack chairs facing the woods and the nearby creek.

Chairs set up outside the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

A short walk away from the house, there was a babbling creek and a hammock.

A hammock hung up near the creek.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When dinnertime rolled around, I decided to take a drive into the nearest town to get some takeout.

A street in downtown Hillsborough, North Carolina.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After parking my car in a large lot, I walked down the street to pick up my dinner.

A street in downtown Hillsborough, North Carolina.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When I returned to the tiny house, food in hand, I set up a movie on my laptop and ate at the table.

My laptop displaying a movie and a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After eating dinner and changing into my pajamas, I settled into bed for the night.

A sign notifying guests to turn the lights off before going to bed.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

After climbing up the spiral staircase to the lofted bedroom, I made sure to watch my head on the low ceiling.

A sign in the lofted bedroom telling guests to watch their heads.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bedroom is pretty high up, with some branches acting as a barrier between the lofted area and the downstairs.

The view from the lofted bedroom.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bedroom was super cozy and comfortable.

The bed.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

When I woke up on my last morning there, I was sad to be leaving.

The path leading out of the tiny house.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I spent over $700 for a business-class upgrade on JetBlue. The lie-flat seats weren't even the best part.

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