Most people buy a finished house when they’re ready to purchase property, but one Austin couple had a different idea. Tired of city life, Lexi Newkirk and her husband decided to relocate elsewhere in Texas. Instead of buying a move-in-ready home, they purchased 12.5 acres of land and committed to a bold vision. Knowing they couldn’t live in a tent forever, the couple chose an unconventional route by buying two shipping containers and beginning the process of turning them into their new home.
It was a slow and complex process, but the couple was ready to take on the challenge. Lexi’s husband, Diego, led the construction efforts, which lasted over a year. Their new home is not very large as it contains only one bedroom and a bathroom. They also had to handle everything themselves, including plumbing, electrical work, and installing a septic tank. While their home was under construction, the Austin couple lived in a renovated RV they purchased for $4,000 on Facebook. After months of hard work, the container house was finally finished in early March.
The new home has two floors, with the first floor containing the kitchen and living room. The second floor features the bedroom, a master bathroom, and a small office. The Austin couple also installed a large window in the upper shipping container, allowing them to enjoy the sunrise and sunset right from their bed.
This likely won’t be the end of their building journey, as Lexi and Diego hope to create a full homestead. Their next goal is to save enough money to build a barndominium that will house their chickens and two cows.
The Austin couple had no desire to live in apartments, with Lexi describing them as “homes stacked right on top of each other.” She also didn’t like how all of them looked so similar. After completing their shipping container home project, Lexi hopes that their journey can inspire others to take on similar ventures.
Thanks to their unique project, the couple’s TikTok channel has gained a massive following, with many users eagerly awaiting the finished look of their shipping container home. Now that it’s complete, followers have applauded the couple for their hard work. “Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack,” one user jokingly commented.
Unfortunately, not everyone was as positive, with some expressing doubts about the durability of shipping container homes. Many believed these homes wouldn’t last as long as traditional buildings. However, others defended the Austin couple, emphasizing that with proper care, the house would endure.
“Yeah, they paid about the same amount for a NICE house, but this one was designed from the ground up, with every single detail personalized exactly to what they wanted. You can’t buy that in a pre-made house,” one user commented.
