The move marks a major milestone for the prominent financial blogger, whose journey into early retirement began back in 2005. At the time, Adeney’s primary catalyst for stepping away from a demanding career in tech was the desire to secure the freedom to devote his best hours to fatherhood. Looking back, eighteen years after making that pivotal choice, he notes that the gamble paid off spectacularly. His son, affectionately referenced as "Little MM," has officially completed high school, bringing an end to the intensive, full-time parenting phase that defined much of Adeney’s adult life.
With that foundational chapter drawing to a close, Adeney is cashing in a portion of what he calls his "Freedom Chips" to embrace a radical lifestyle change. Rather than settling into a traditional suburban routine during the colder months, he is taking up residence in Culdesac Tempe—a neighborhood he has frequently praised for its innovative approach to modern urban planning. Designed entirely around walking, biking, and transit rather than private automobiles, the Arizona community represents the exact sort of urban development Adeney believes American cities should emulate.
On the first of December, Adeney and his son plan to load a mountain bike onto an electric Tesla Model Y, packed with essential clothing, tools, and gadgets, and embark on a road trip across the mountains just ahead of the incoming Colorado winter. While Adeney intends to stay for the duration of the four-month period in a spacious two-bedroom apartment, Little MM will split his time between Arizona and Colorado to maintain a balanced schedule with both parents.
Embracing Discomfort and Strategic Hardship
Beyond the appeal of escaping the snow and enjoying a warmer climate, Adeney views the relocation as an intentional exercise in reinvention. For years, his daily life in Colorado has been anchored by familiar routines, deep community ties, and active involvement in local construction and building projects. Moving to a brand-new environment forces him to construct a completely novel daily routine away from those easy comforts.
This deliberate disruption aligns closely with Adeney’s long-standing philosophy regarding personal growth and psychological well-being. Referencing concepts from Dr. Anna Lembke’s book Dopamine Nation, Adeney emphasizes the value of what he terms "strategic hardship." According to this framework, human brains establish a baseline for satisfaction based on the most demanding activities an individual undertakes. When people systematically eliminate all friction and challenge from their daily existence—leaning entirely into modern comforts, convenience foods, and entertainment—even life’s basic pleasures begin to feel muted.
By stepping outside his comfort zone, moving to an unfamiliar city, and embracing a completely car-free daily logistics model, Adeney aims to set his psychological "treadmill" to a slightly steeper, healthier incline. He hopes his experiment will serve as a quiet reminder to his readers to question the status quo, resist complacency, and introduce purposeful challenges into their own lives—whether through career pivots, physical endurance goals, or expanding their social circles.
Navigating a Car-Free Lifestyle in Tempe
While the Tesla Model Y will serve as an electric moving truck to transport two people and four months’ worth of supplies across state lines, its utility will end once the duo arrives in Arizona. Upon settling into Culdesac Tempe, the vehicle will be parked offsite in a secure location, allowing Adeney to fully immerse himself in the community’s car-free infrastructure.
For routine errands, local transit, and recreation, Adeney plans to rely on the neighborhood’s extensive bike paths, pedestrian walkways, and immediate proximity to the local light rail system. The community also features dedicated onsite options for bike, scooter, and vehicle sharing, minimizing the need for private automobile ownership within the neighborhood boundaries.
As for his property back in Colorado, Adeney has formulated a classic Mustachian plan to maintain financial efficiency while away. His primary residence consists of a main-floor living space coupled with a lower-level apartment featuring a separate entrance. While the entire home typically accommodates a steady stream of visiting friends, Adeney intends to rent out one of the sections to a trusted acquaintance for the winter. This arrangement ensures the property is well-maintained while also leaving a dedicated space for his own occasional return trips to Colorado over the coming months.
Looking Ahead Beyond March
As his four-month lease in Arizona approaches its conclusion at the end of March, Adeney maintains an open-ended outlook. He plans to return to his Colorado home base as spring arrives, but the winter experiment in Tempe is expected to catalyze a broader series of lifestyle shifts. Alongside ongoing involvement in two mountain property development projects, Adeney has hinted at the long-term possibility of establishing a dedicated mountain retreat of his own.
For now, the immediate focus remains squarely on the desert road trip, the upcoming transition to a walkable community, and the launch of a new seasonal routine alongside his son. Regular updates and ongoing reflections regarding the Culdesac experiment are being tracked directly through his digital platform as he prepares to transition from online commentator to active Arizona resident.
