A lot of parents dream of hitting the road in an RV with their kids, but not many families would choose to live that way full time. Well, that’s not the case with today’s featured Tiny House story! Meet are the Longneckers, a family of SIX that have been living full time in an RV for the last 5 years! They started out by downsizing into a fifth wheel trailer, but after a few years on the road, they realized it was too big. Parking their giant trailer was difficult, and they weren’t able to go off-the-beaten track as much as they would have liked. So they downsized once again! This time into a renovated vintage airstream.
TAKE A TOUR OF THIS FAMILY’S INCREDIBLE RENOVATED VINTAGE AIRSTREAM :
COST TO PURCHASE & RENOVATE AN AIRSTREAM
- The Longneckers were able to find a vintage airstream for just $13,000. That’s a steal when you consider the new airstream of the same size could retail for up to $96,000!
- Renovation costs were somewhere around $35,000
- So the total cost is estimated to be $48,000
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FEATURES OF THIS RENOVATED VINTAGE AIRSTREAM:
- Large kitchen
- Solar Power – 400 amp hour batteries
- Bathroom with shower & nature’s head compost toilet
- Desk/Office area so that Jonathan can work on the road
BUT…. WHERE DO THEY ALL SLEEP?
With very limited space in their renovated vintage airstream (only 220 square feet) the Longneckers had to get creative with their interior design. The four children share a sleeping space, with two parallel bunk beds in the middle of the trailer. The parents sleep at the end of the trailer, and every night they have to make their bed by folding down the dining table and re-arranging the couch cushions into a mattress. This process might seem like a pain to some, but sometimes creature comforts have to be sacrificed if you want to live tiny.
WHY LIVE IN AN AIRSTREAM WITH YOUR FAMILY?
The Longneckers have had some amazing experiences over the last five years. They hike and camp in some of the United States’s most beautiful locations, and they home school on the road. As a family, they are closer than most. The kids have formed strong bonds with each other. Everyone is happy, living together on the road, and isn’t that what we all want for our family?
WOULD YOU LIVE IN A TINY HOUSE OR AIRSTREAM WITH YOUR KIDS?
20 families had previously rejected an ‘unusual’ girl before a single man adopted her
The story of this cute family of two started when little Alba, who was just 13 days old back then, was rejected by 20 adoptive families.
The decision made by all these people not to embrace the special little girl turned lucky for the 41-year-old Italian Luca Trapanese.
When he filled in the adoption papers, Luca didn’t really believe the social services would allow him to become the legal father of Alba as in the country where he is from it is not common for single, homosexual man to be granted custody.
But, as all those families didn’t want to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, and Luca was more than happy to have such child in his life, he took Alba in and became her legal daddy.
The moment he welcomed sweet Alba into his life, he became the happiest person on Earth. Speaking of his daughter and his case, he said it was very special because it “destroys stereotypes about fatherhood, religion and family.”
The journey of these father and daughter started back in 2017 and they are stealing the hearts of many ever since.
Luka has a heart of gold. He has been part of many social service programs throughout the years and volunteered at various organizations who help people with special needs find their place in the society. Among the rest, he was part of the foundation “A Ruota Libera” which provided assistance for children with Down Syndrome.
This was one of the reasons why Luca wanted to adopt a child with Down Syndrom despite not having a partner.
20 families had previously rejected an ‘unusual’ girl before a single man adopted her
The story of this cute family of two started when little Alba, who was just 13 days old back then, was rejected by 20 adoptive families.
The decision made by all these people not to embrace the special little girl turned lucky for the 41-year-old Italian Luca Trapanese.
When he filled in the adoption papers, Luca didn’t really believe the social services would allow him to become the legal father of Alba as in the country where he is from it is not common for single, homosexual man to be granted custody.
But, as all those families didn’t want to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, and Luca was more than happy to have such child in his life, he took Alba in and became her legal daddy.
The moment he welcomed sweet Alba into his life, he became the happiest person on Earth. Speaking of his daughter and his case, he said it was very special because it “destroys stereotypes about fatherhood, religion and family.”
The journey of these father and daughter started back in 2017 and they are stealing the hearts of many ever since.
Luka has a heart of gold. He has been part of many social service programs throughout the years and volunteered at various organizations who help people with special needs find their place in the society. Among the rest, he was part of the foundation “A Ruota Libera” which provided assistance for children with Down Syndrome.
This was one of the reasons why Luca wanted to adopt a child with Down Syndrom despite not having a partner.
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Finalizing the adoption was a difficult process as adoption agencies prefer “traditional” families over the non-conventional ones.
“For me, a disabled child is not a second choice solution, but a conscious choice with respect to my vocation and my abilities,” Luca said.
Alba is a happy child with a vibrant personality. She loves being around people and enjoys playing and dancing.
We are so glad that the perception of people with Down Syndrome is changing and they are considered valuable part of the society.
As for Luca and Alba, we wish them all the best that life can bring!
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