After nearly two decades of championing financial independence and intentional living from his Colorado base, the prominent early retirement blogger known as Mr. Money Mustache is packing his mountain bike and heading south for the winter. Marking a major transition as his son finishes high school, the influential personal finance pioneer is relocating for four months to Culdesac Tempe, a newly developed, car-free community in Arizona that has captured his attention for its innovative urban design.
The move, scheduled for December 1, represents a deliberate effort to invent a new routine away from the familiar comforts and construction projects that have defined his life in Colorado. For the author, who originally retired from the tech industry in 2005 primarily to dedicate his time to fatherhood, the evolution of his family life has created an opening to cash in what he describes as "Freedom Chips" for a new kind of adventure.
Reflecting on his journey into early retirement, the blogger noted that freedom has consistently remained its most rewarding aspect. Eighteen years ago, his primary motivation was ensuring he could be a fully present father during his son’s upbringing, an intuition that proved correct as he navigated the demanding responsibilities of parenting alongside the flexibility of retired life. Now, with his son having completed high school and preparing to split his time between Arizona and Colorado to remain close to both parents, the timing was right for a significant seasonal change.
The destination for this winter experiment is Culdesac Tempe, a community designed entirely around walkability, biking, and transit rather than personal automobiles. Having previously expressed vocal admiration for car-free urban planning, the blogger plans to test the neighborhood’s infrastructure firsthand. His arrival will begin with a road trip across the mountains in his Tesla Model Y, accompanied by his son and carrying a selection of essential tools, gadgets, and his primary mountain bike.
While the vehicle will serve simply as an electric moving truck for the journey, its role will change dramatically upon arrival. Once settled into a spacious two-bedroom apartment within the development, the car will be parked offsite, allowing him to adopt a fully car-free daily routine. He points out that the community’s strategic location directly along the light rail, combined with onsite bike, scooter, and car-sharing facilities, makes eliminating daily automobile use remarkably straightforward.
Beyond the immediate appeal of escaping the harsh Colorado winter for a warm, sunny climate, the move serves a broader philosophical purpose. The author views the relocation as a deliberate exercise in strategic hardship and positive experimentation, themes he has frequently explored through his reading and writing. Citing principles discussed in works like psychiatrist Dr. Anna Lembke’s Dopamine Nation, he suggests that human brains establish a baseline for happiness based on the most challenging activities they undertake. By intentionally introducing difficulty, novelty, and change into daily life, individuals can prevent complacency, maintain motivation, and keep experiences vibrant rather than sliding into comfortable stagnation.
This philosophy of continuous experimentation mirrors a major life decision he made 24 years ago when he immigrated to the United States alone at age 24, a bold move that fundamentally shaped his trajectory for the better. By plunging himself into a new community that aligns with his core values, he hopes to encourage others to question the status quo, step outside their comfort zones, and embrace deliberate changes—whether through relocation, career adjustments, or new physical challenges.
The winter experiment also offers practical financial and logistical dimensions. Back in Colorado, his multi-level home features a main-floor living space alongside a separate walkout lower-level apartment typically used to host visiting friends. During his absence, he plans to rent out one of these sections to a trusted acquaintance, implementing a classic Mustachian strategy of generating income while traveling, while keeping the remaining space available for his occasional return visits over the winter months.
As for what lies beyond the four-month Arizona lease, no definitive plans have been made. The end of March will see him return to his Colorado home base, but the experience is expected to inform his perspective as he enters a new chapter of life. Observers and followers interested in tracking the experiment can follow updates through a dedicated tracker page established on the Mr. Money Mustache website, as the author prepares to trade snowy mountain trails for the desert bike paths of Tempe.