I am looking for feedback and/or
experience from anyone with experience with living in a small tiny house community. I am posting here, because I am not really seeking an
intentional community or tribe, so much as a building a small place for 4 to 6 people wanting to do the tiny house thing. If you have put together a small property for tiny homes, or have lived in a small community, what worked? What did not? If you are interested in something like this, what would you want in property?
Here is my situation: I am currently trying to talk myself out of buying a little over an acre of ground, zoned R4 multifamily, in a second tier Midwestern
city of 500-750K population. It is in a transition zone between dense urban/light industrial/semi suburbian. I could build or host at least 4 trailers with the option of buying a house and lot next door. The house would make a good 'community house', re-modeled with a large kitchen and dining area, entertainment room and institutional bath/showers. The extra lot I think would allow expansion of up to 8 unts and still leave a lot of open space for gardens and animals. If I went down this road, there is also several acres adjacent that may be open to lease for larger crop land/market gardens.
Without too much personal detail, I have other things I am focused on currently; and don't need a place to stay. (Although, I have been drawn to the tiny house lifestyle for the past 15 years.) The issue is this
project has been staring me in the face for the past year or two; and I can't seem to completely put it out of my mind. So am seeking input to ground myself on what a community setting would really be like. I am introvert by nature and deal with
enough people in my professional day to satisfy any need for socialization. But I know there are others whom welcome small group interaction and would love to be "alone together" on a small acreage. For those whom have had experience, or even those whom desire; what does that look like to you?
Here are the advantages of the project: Close to a major city. Jobs of every pay grade are within a 2 mile radius. Major medical facilities are within a mile or so. Although within a city limits, it is semi rural with permits for animals not hard to obtain (
chickens rabbits, maybe a stealth
dairy goat.) Electricity and Sewer infrastructure in place. Zone for multi unit housing. Regular neighborhood wildlife include
deer, wild turkey, rabbits, etc...
Disadvantages: Urban. no large livestock. Winters are 'Midwestern'. Growing a garden between November to April is a no go. A
greenhouse would be required.
So while this is all speculation at this point, I am very seriously considering putting this together. However, I have only loosely followed the tiny house movement in the past few years. I know it went mainstream for a while with media capitalizing on it. Is there really a desire, market, or interest in this sort of thing any longer; or has it run its life for most folks? Is there strong interest out there still for people whom want a place to rent or a TH to rent? Please offer me your thoughts and experiences.
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