A COUPLE who ditched their two-bedroom home to move into a ‘modpod’ say “it’s like a morgue” – but saves them hoards of money.
Gillian and Wayne Millward have swapped out their traditional family house of 13 years for a simplistic one-bed bungalow in Coventry.
6
6
The happy pair only moved into the eco-friendly property a couple of weeks ago but believe “it is the perfect” new home.
It has a kitchen, lounge – which is capable of squeezing in a dining table – a bathroom and one bedroom.
There’s no space for a washer or dryer, forcing the couple to use a portable electric clothes dryer.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, only a shower has been fitted and Gillian admitted she “misses” having a tub too.
But above the bungalow, which is designed to stand for 60 years, there’s a loft which contains plenty of storage space.
Gillian told the Mail Online: “We wanted to downsize and it is the perfect place for us. Our old home was too big for us.
“The only problem is it’s so quiet, it’s like a morgue.”
She explained while Wayne enjoys the tranquility of the area, Gillian still longs for the buzz of neighbours and an active street.
Most read in Property
The couple also claim to have battled some settling-in snags – such as switches above doorways out of reach.
“Bearing in mind these homes are designed for older people, who may not be that tall, the switches are in a ridiculous place,” Gillian added.
However, the 61-year-old did boast of many benefits to living in the “morgue” like prefab home.
“One good thing is we don’t have any spare room to put up any visitors. We can tell them there’s no room at the pod,” she joked.
And, the £500-a-month property is a lot cheaper to run than their previously rented house.
“Rent is the same but bills are down from £120 a month to £80, so that’s a good saving,” Gillian explained.
“It’s all run on electricity with solar panels, and there’s a charging point outside in our drive for an electric car although we haven’t got one as yet.”
The pods, 24 of which are in the area, have been built by the Modpods International factory in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Executive director of development at Citizen Nick Byrne said: “There are many benefits to modular homes including high energy efficiency and, as they are built in a factory, they can be constructed in all weathers.
“When they are craned on to the site they are hooked up to the services and the house is ready to use.”
The new pods are targeted at those over the age of 55 looking to downsize in their retirement.
It comes as thousands of people across the UK are turning to alternative housing choices in a bid to save money.
Energy bills and the cost of living have seen many Brits make the bold move to abandon their traditional way of life.
They include one woman in the heart of London who pays no rent – thanks to living on a boat.
Shannon Lane discovered the idea when she struggled to find a landlord who would accept her pooch Gilbert.
The surrealist artist only pays £200 instalments to pay back the loan cost for buying her narrowboat.
Meanwhile, another man said he saves up to £3,000 per month by living on the water.
James Posner, 44, a commercial property sector surveyor, has hailed his new lifestyle as “London’s best kept secret” amid the cost of living crisis.
Plus, a couple who were fed up with the rat race of their “mundane” lives decided to join the increasingly popular van life community.
Dave and Emily felt disillusioned with the monotonous routine of waking up early, stressing about work, and skyrocketing bills.
And, another man who made the bold jump into van life said he loves the freedom of going off-grid – and escaping the cost of living crisis.
Read more on The Sun
Paul, aka, The Off Grid Nomad, was fed up being left with just £100 to play with at the end of every month amid soaring energy costs.
The proud “lorry life” community member now travels across the British countryside in his ex-military converted truck.
6
6
6
6
