In Cumby, Texas, about an hour from Dallas, sits a retirement community with a difference. The Bird’s Nest is a gated village of tiny homes where the guiding principle is simple: no men allowed. And for the 11 women who call it home, that rule has brought nothing but peace, laughter and a lot less drama.
Founded in 2022 by 70-year-old Robyn Yerian, a divorced mother of two, The Bird’s Nest was born from necessity and vision.
Yerian realised that her pension alone would not stretch far enough for retirement, so she purchased five acres of affordable land and transformed it into a haven for women seeking financial independence, companionship and, as the residents put it, “a little utopia.”
Each of the women pays around $450 a month to rent a 10-by-30-foot concrete pad with utilities included. They bring their own tiny homes, decorate with flower gardens, and often share meals in the communal outdoor kitchen. The atmosphere is described as part retirement village, part college dorm, minus the exams and plus a happy hour cocktail or two.
The residents, whose ages range from their thirties to their late seventies, all share a commitment to looking out for one another. They drive each other to appointments, check in when someone is under the weather, and even play pet-sitters. Between them, nine dogs add an extra layer of companionship, though the days of keeping ducks, geese and a slightly temperamental turkey named Turk are firmly in the past.
What makes The Bird’s Nest special is its refusal to replicate the rigid rules of other retirement communities. There is no strict hierarchy, just an understanding that kindness and consideration go a long way. Yerian says the lifestyle is affordable too: “You can live comfortably on a modest income, have fun, and know someone’s always got your back.”
Though it was not initially conceived as a women-only retreat, Yerian quickly noticed just how many women, divorced, widowed, or simply preferring their own company, were searching for a safe and supportive place to live. Today, the waiting list is hundreds long, proving that the idea of retirement without men has struck a chord.
Light-hearted as it may sound, the Bird’s Nest has a serious side. By banding together, the women reduce isolation, share costs, and give one another a support network that helps them stay healthier and happier for longer. Or, as one resident summed it up perfectly: “No men and no drama.”
The Bird’s Nest may be tiny in size, but in spirit it is a mighty example of how women can carve out joyful, independent lives with good friends, a few dogs, and not a bloke in sight.
