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Unless you’re living under a rock, chances are you’ve heard about going tiny. Maybe you’ve watched a show on tiny houses or read about the newest tiny house communities that are being built near you. Many people are choosing to go tiny. The reasons are endless, but we definitely see a few distinct reasons such as living more minimally, saving money, being able to travel, getting rid of your mortgage and more.
Tiny house communities are a newer thing in the tiny house movement. When tiny houses were first being built, many cities made them illegal to live in. Now a lot of cities are changing their laws and allowing people to live in tiny homes. Because of this change, many tiny house communities are popping up all over the US and even in other countries.
Many people are now interested in living in tiny house communities because of the amenities, but also because of the community and friendships that living in these tiny house communities provides. Let’s talk about exactly what you can expect to find in these tiny house communities.
What Is a Tiny House Community?
A tiny house community is an area that is set-aside specifically for people to come and park their tiny houses and live together in a tight knit community. Most tiny house communities are set up with a common outside area, several small pieces of land to park tiny houses, and depending on the community, they may offer amenities, or everyone may pitch in to make the outside area a nice retreat for everyone to share.
Many tiny house communities offer things that you normally wouldn’t find in a regular housing community. Living, or even just staying a few days in a tiny house community will take you back to a simpler time. People, who live in these communities work as a team to get stuff done, help each other with projects and even lend you a hand cooking. People who choose to live in these communities become very close and close relationships are bound to happen.
Is There a Need for Tiny House Communities?
People all over the world are changing their ideas on what they really need to make a “home”. Many people are choosing to downsize and live minimally. People also want to live in a way that is more eco-friendly. Tiny house communities allow people to live in a way that saves money, get’s rid of your mortgage and lets you live the eco friendly life you’ve always dreamed of.
Tiny house communities also help another need, especially in the US. Homelessness is a growing problem due to rising rent costs all over the US. People who have a full-time job are finding it hard to afford even a studio apartment. Families are living paycheck to paycheck just to keep a roof over their children’s heads.
These communities are definitely needed. They provide an option for people who can’t afford a full size home and might otherwise be homeless. They help the homeless because micro homes are inexpensive to build and cheaper than keeping a homeless person in a hotel room. Tiny homes bring some much-needed relief to the housing crisis.
Tiny home communities also provide a way for the special needs and aging community to be able to stay in their own home. A tiny home is easier to keep up, and having neighbors all around you to help night and day is sometimes the answer to a person being able to stay out of a nursing or group home.
How Can You Find a Tiny House Community?
Tiny house communities are all over the United States, and can even be found in other countries. There are certain websites related to tiny homes that can give you a lot of information. Finding these communities is as easy as turning on your laptop or even your phone. You can find community listings online at many tiny house websites and blogs written by people who live and work in tiny homes all over the world.
Interesting Facts about Tiny House Communities
A tiny home is considered any dwelling that is livable and is less than 500 square feet. Tiny house communities can be made up of just a few homes or a whole neighborhood of homes. The communities can be in the middle of a large city, or way out in the wilderness. Some are communities of artists, and some are communities of farmers. There are even communities for people who prefer to live eco-friendly or “off the grid”. There are also communities for the disabled, retirees, and the homeless.
1. There Are at Least 50 Tiny Home Communities In the USA
There are currently 24 states with tiny home communities in the USA and that count goes up all the time. Here are some of the communities that are available in the United States.
Arizona
- Lux Tiny Community
- Ponderosa RV Resort
Arkansas
- Kings River Hitchin Post
California
- Lemoncove Village RV Park
- Delta Bay
- Palm Canyon Mobile Club
Colorado
- Peak View Park
- Escalante Village
Kentucky
- Several RV Parks in Kentucky
- Several Mobile Home Parks in Kentucky
North Carolina
- AconyBell
- High Cove
- Highland Lake Cove
- Earthhaven
- School of Living Arts
- Coral Sands Point
- The Village at Flat Rock
South Carolina
- Creek Walk Community
- Lake Walk Community
Florida
- Orlando Lake Front
- Gracious Tiny House Park
- Circle Pond Tiny Community
Georgia
- Eco Cottages At East Point
- Little River Escape
Minnesota
- Brainerd, MN: Zoning Allows for Smaller Homes
Missouri
- Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage
- Cross Timbers Community
New Mexico
- Burro Mountain Homestead
Iowa
- SoFair Farms Eco-Village
Oregon
- Simply Home Community
- Tiny House Hotel
- Tiny Digs Hotel
- Tiny Tranquility
- Mt. Hood Village
Ohio
- Wheat Hill
- Cedar Springs Tiny Village
Pennsylvania
- Tiny Estates
West Virginia
- EMF Safe RV and Tiny Home Rentals
Wisconsin
- Escape Villages
- Occupy Madison
Washington
- Quixote Communities
Vermont
- Headwaters Garden
Tennessee
- Richmond Orchard
- Incredible Community
- Tiny Home Estates
- Long Springs Tiny Homes
Texas
- Community First! Village
- Vintage Grace Community
- The Cottages
- Silver Sky Ranch
New York
- Second Wind Cottages
- Amazing Acres
2. Organizations Are Creating Tiny Home Communities for the Homeless
There are a few organizations out there such as the Quixote Communities in Washington and the Second Wind Cottages in New York who work with people who are homeless or very low income. These organizations provide these people something that a shelter can’t. A tiny home provides privacy, a place to store belongings, and a safe place to sleep at night.
Being in a tiny home instead of on the streets or in a shelter also allows for the person to be in a community, to have access to fresh food, a shower, clean toilets and to education and classes that wouldn’t normally be available if they were on the streets. These organizations are becoming more popular as a way to fight the war against homelessness and families living in poverty.
3.It Is Important to Get Along with Your Tiny Home Neighbors
When you live in a tiny community, you will see your neighbors much more than if you lived in a big home. This may sound like a no brainer, but if you don’t get along with your neighbors, your community will fall apart. There have been a few communities where the people living in them didn’t get along and as a result, the tiny home community failed.
If you love meeting new people and don’t mind helping your neighbors or vice versa, you should do fine. However, if you’re the type who likes privacy and being alone, you own plot of land somewhere might be more beneficial. Many communities have weekly or monthly meetings, volunteer work, and potlucks that everyone takes part in.
4. Tiny Home Communities Have Rules for Residents
Most of the tiny home communities have rules that help run the land. For instance, they may require you to help with general maintenance, gardening, community potlucks, and so on. There may be rules for quiet hours and what activities are or aren’t allowed. Pets are generally allowed in tiny home communities, but may not be allowed in rental or vacation stays.
5. Most Tiny Houses Have Wheels
Many people build or purchase a tiny home on wheels because it allows you to travel. If traveling is something you’re interested in then having a tiny home on wheels just makes sense. You can travel the US and never need a hotel room. Tiny Houses can also be built on a foundation if you’re looking for a more permanent solution. Tiny homes on foundations also have the benefit of being able to be built larger.
6. A Tiny Home Community Can Exist in a Backyard of a Larger House
Depending on the area you live in, it’s possible to park your tiny home in someone’s backyard. Some areas, such as in Oregon, have up to 3 tiny homes on a lot with a regular sized home. These micro-communities often share the outdoor spaces and sometimes the restroom and laundry facilities.
It’s important to note that certain areas have very strict zoning laws stating where a tiny home can be parked. Do your research before parking!
7. Tiny Home Dwellers Take Advantage of the Outdoors
Since most tiny homes are less than 500 square feet, the outdoors becomes part of your living space. Most tiny homes can be found with a large deck or patio area outside that serves as a second living area. This area also serves as a kitchen to some people, especially in the summer when cooking can make a small space very warm.
A lot of tiny home dwellers find that spending more time outdoors is very beneficial to them. Most people enjoy getting out into nature and exploring more.
8. In Some Tiny Communities, Residents Share Chores
Some communities divide up outdoor chores, such as cleaning and maintenance of outdoor areas. Some communities also have shared garden spaces where everyone helps to grow fruits and vegetables. Some communities require each family to volunteer so much time a month, while others don’t require and just rely on volunteers.
9. There Are Tiny Home Communities for Seniors
There are several communities of tiny homes that are set up as retirement communities. Some of these tiny homes are built differently than your average tiny home. Tiny homes for senior citizens are built as a single level home with no loft. Some retirement tiny communities are complete with services such as medical services, transportation and such. Tiny homes for retirement allow seniors to stay in their own homes instead of having to move to a nursing home.
A tiny home can offer a senior citizen the independence they need and also the support and community they so often lose.
10. It May Be a Good Idea to Stay in a Tiny Community before Moving In
If you are considering building or moving into a tiny home, do your research first. Go on some tiny home tours or to some open houses. Deciding what style and area is best for you will take time. Another great thing to do before committing is to rent a few nights in a tiny house and see if you like it. Tiny living isn’t for everyone!
Tiny living is a lot of work, requires a lot of upkeep and a lot of downsizing and constant decluttering. Tiny living may look fun but remember that it’s still a home and will require regular maintenance and upkeep. By renting first or even touring at events, you can decide on what may or may not work for you before starting your own process of owning your own tiny home.
Some people decide after staying in a tiny home for a few days that what they thought was a great idea is really not working for them. You may decide that you don’t want to climb a ladder every night for the rest of your life, but that stairs up to a loft would be ok. Staying in several tiny homes in several locations is a great way to see what works and what doesn’t for your preferences.
Conclusion
Finding your community is getting easier and easier with each passing day. Tiny home ownership is on the rise and will continue to rise. Purchasing that perfect tiny home or building it from the ground up and finding the perfect community may take some time. With research and knowledge, you can find your own piece of tiny paradise.
