Renowned personal finance blogger and early retirement pioneer Pete Adeney—better known to millions as Mr. Money Mustache—is preparing for a major life pivot. After spending nearly two decades rooted in Colorado, raising his son, and managing local community building projects, Adeney is packing up his mountain bike and heading south for the winter.
Beginning December 1, Adeney and his son will embark on a road trip across the mountains in an electric Model Y, trading the approaching Colorado snow for the warm, sunlit climate of Tempe, Arizona. The destination is Culdesac Tempe, a high-profile, car-free urban community that Adeney has frequently praised in his writings. The move marks a significant milestone as he transitions into a new phase of life following the completion of his son’s high school education.
Reflecting on his journey, Adeney noted that the primary driver behind his early retirement in 2005 was freedom—specifically, the ability to dedicate his prime hours to fatherhood. Fearing that a demanding career in the tech industry would leave little room for raising children, he took the leap into financial independence. Eighteen years later, that gamble has paid off. With his son now finished with high school and preparing to split his time between Arizona and Colorado, Adeney is ready to cash in some of his accumulated freedom to test a new lifestyle.
The move to Culdesac Tempe is designed to be more than just a seasonal escape from the cold. Adeney has rented a spacious two-bedroom apartment for a four-month stay, during which he intends to challenge himself by stepping away from his familiar routines and established community infrastructure in Colorado. By immersing himself in a neighborhood built entirely around walking, biking, and transit, he hopes to intentionally disrupt his daily habits and foster personal growth.
The decision aligns with a philosophy Adeney has long championed: the value of incorporating strategic hardship and deliberate change into one’s life. Citing the work of psychiatrist and author Dr. Anna Lembke in the book Dopamine Nation, Adeney emphasizes that human brains establish a baseline for happiness based on the most difficult tasks they undertake. According to this perspective, eliminating all friction and hardship can lead to stagnation, whereas embracing manageable challenges makes everyday life more vibrant and rewarding.
Logistically, the transition involves a few adjustments. While Adeney is bringing his car as an electric moving truck to transport supplies and a mountain bike, the vehicle will be parked offsite once they arrive. For the duration of the winter, he plans to embrace a fully car-free lifestyle, relying on Tempe’s light rail, walking paths, on-site bike and scooter networks, and local car-sharing options. This mirrors the low-car ethos he practices at home, where motor vehicles are reserved strictly for heavy hauling or long-distance interstate travel.
Back in Colorado, Adeney’s primary residence—a split-level home featuring a main-floor living space and a separate walkout basement apartment—will also undergo a temporary transition. While the property typically accommodates visiting friends, Adeney hopes to lease out one of the sections to a trusted acquaintance for the winter. This arrangement will keep an eye on the property while serving as a practical exercise in generating income during a seasonal relocation.
The broader motivation behind the experiment extends beyond personal enjoyment. Adeney has made no secret of his desire for Culdesac Tempe to succeed, hoping that its model of American car-free urban development will serve as a blueprint for future city planning nationwide. By participating directly in the community, he aims to demonstrate the viability of alternative urban living spaces and encourage others to question the status quo.
For Adeney, the four-month experiment represents a return to the spirit of bold decision-making that defined his younger years, reminiscent of his solo move to the United States at age 24. Whether through physical challenges, new social circles, or a completely restructured daily routine, the winter in Arizona is intended to inject fresh meaning into his daily life.
As March approaches and the four-month lease draws to a close, Adeney has no rigid long-term plans beyond returning to his Colorado base. However, with new chapters opening up—including ongoing involvement in mountain property developments—the winter in Tempe may well lay the groundwork for future adventures. Updates on the experiment and daily observations from the community are being documented on a dedicated tracker page on the Mr. Money Mustache website.
