I don't have a tiny house (yet) but I have been intrigued by them since way back before they were so fashionable and my husband and I are now considering the possibilities of creating a tiny house community on our
land. With that in mind, I was curious about those of you who DO have tiny houses but no place to park ...
- How do you find a spot to stay and what is your chosen spot like? By that I mean, do you look for something as simple as a driveway, someone's back
yard, a farmer's field or a place with lots of wild space around you?
- Does it matter whether there is a paved, gravel or hard-packed road or can you just drive onto the grass and set up?
- Are you off-grid (or planning to be) or do you prefer to hook-up to your host's electricity and
water?
- What sort of amenities would you like to see in your chosen living space -- outdoor cooking facilities (shared building with appliances? or something more individual - like a fire ring or grill and picnic table?); on-site showers and bathrooms; laundry facilities; access to an organic garden for fresh fruits and vegetables; nearby stores or recreational opportunities; proximity to hospital; etc.?
- Do you use a composting toilet and gray water system that can simply be filtered and drained onto grass or do you use a holding tank that must be dumped at a sanitary waste facility (and would it be a deal-breaker if such a facility were not available)?
Do you travel with pets, and if so, what would you like to see available for them?
What degree of privacy do you prefer/ For example, would you want to feel as if you were all alone and not see other tiny houses at all (maybe screened by
trees rather than fences so that it really feels like a wilderness setting) or would you prefer a grouping of several individual tiny houses with a central area for cooking, laundry and socializing? Something in-between?
I'm also curious about what people's long vs. short term needs and expectations are. Do you wander around from place to place staying a day or two here and there each time or do you prefer to sit awhile -- maybe even months or years -- while you settle in and get to know an area? In each scenario, what would you want to see (or NOT see and hear) on-site to make your stay as comfortable and pleasant as possible?
Last question ... Which states offer the best possibilities to find a tiny house community or lodging spot?
- How much does an owner typically charge per night or month to rent out a place for you to park and what does that buy you?
- Would you be interested in a work exchange in lieu of rent?
- Which states or places would you like to visit or live but have been unable to find a parking spot for your tiny house?
We are seriously thinking of developing a small tiny house community on our 75 acres (with thousands of acres more next door in national forest land) so I would truly appreciate some feedback on this subject. If I have left anything out or you have tips to help me understand the needs of the tiny house owner, PLEASE share. We really want to learn what it takes to make the perfect tiny house community.
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