It’s ex-tree me! 35-year-old reveals he quit his job at a California supermarket to move into a sustainable TREE HOUSE in the middle of the Hawaiian jungle – where he lives for just $25 A MONTH
- Robert Breton worked as a supermarket cashier in Northern California
- He decided to live a more remote lifestyle before buying land in Hawaii
- The area, plus materials, cost him $29,850 – he now lives a sustainable lifestyle
A 35-year-old man gave up his supermarket job to live in a treehouse in the middle of the Hawaiian jungle.
Robert Breton was working as a cashier in Northern California when he decided it was time to live a more remote lifestyle.
In 2011, he began traveling across the United States to find the perfect place to settle down before buying a quarter acre of land in Hawaii.
The land, plus building materials, cost him $29,850 and he now lives a sustainable lifestyle with the goal of “conserving nature.”
Robert Breton, 35, was working as a cashier in Northern California when he decided it was time to live a more remote lifestyle
It took Robert two years to erect the 200 square foot house, which is raised 40 feet off the ground, in the Hawaiian jungle
The 35-year-old didn’t have to apply for planning permission as it is in an ‘unregulated agricultural area’
It took Robert two years to erect the 200 square foot house which is elevated 40 feet off the ground.
It did not have to apply for a building permit because it is in an “unregulated agricultural zone”.
The unconventional structure has a living room, a bedroom and a complete bathroom with shower, toilet and hot water.
Robert also owns a greenhouse where he grows the majority of his food, including sweet potatoes, kale and micro-vegetables.
But he will occasionally buy grains, quinoa and other supplements from the local town which is more than an hour’s walk away.
Robert recently took to TikTok to document his lifestyle and gained over 843,000 followers on the video-sharing platform with content “encouraging others to get back to basics and appreciate beautiful nature”.
His content, along with the New Earth Organic supplement company, is how he makes a living.
Speaking about his new lifestyle, Robert said: “It’s definitely livable, beautiful and functional – I collect rainwater from the roof to drink and it drains into the kitchen and bathroom.
The unconventional structure has a living room, a bedroom and a complete bathroom with shower, toilet and hot water
The land, along with the building materials, cost him $29,850 and he now lives a sustainable lifestyle with the aim of “preserving nature”.
Robert recently took to TikTok to document his lifestyle (interior pictured) and “encourage others to get back to basics and appreciate beautiful nature”
“I also have solar panels for electricity, I use them for my cooking and wi-fi to do TikToks – I really don’t miss anything from my old life.”
His monthly cost is therefore minimal – and he only spends around $25 a month to ensure he has internet access.
Robert said he adapted quickly, adding: ‘I can’t get pizza delivered to me, or have someone pick up my rubbish, or have my mail delivered to my house – it was a bit weird at first.
“But I think it made me realize that we all need to be more aware of our waste – I compost everything I can and try to have little waste.
“I think it’s a responsibility for all of us as individuals to be aware of our waste, the water you have to bring yourself and the food we grow.
He now believes he will stay and continue to “live a sustainable life” in the future.
