Jessica Rost moves into handmade hobbit tent for low-cost living

Jessica Rost, a 55-year-old artist, transitioned to a nomadic lifestyle in 2019, initially living in a converted Ford Transit van. In 2021, she began creating bender tents, which are dome-shaped shelters made from woven branches or metal, and decided to build one for herself. By 2022, she was residing in a seven-metre by five-metre bender tent in the Cheshire countryside, equipped with modern amenities like a gas cooker, wireless internet, and a bath on wheels. To maintain a low-cost living, Jessica keeps her monthly expenses around £300 by growing her own food and foraging. She embraces the natural ecosystem around her tent, sharing her space with various creatures, including spiders and toads, which she views as part of her lifestyle. Jessica has expressed a preference for this unconventional living arrangement, stating that traditional homes make her feel claustrophobic after a short time. Despite her enjoyment of the bender tent, Jessica plans to temporarily relocate to a house in Lancaster during the winter months to stay with her partner. However, she has indicated that she does not foresee returning to a permanent house in the future, as she feels more at home in her tent. Jessica's journey reflects a growing trend of individuals seeking alternative living arrangements that prioritize sustainability and personal freedom, despite facing societal prejudice against nomadic lifestyles.