Affordable Family Living in These Tiny Home Communities

The United States is one of the most expensive countries to live in, ranking 14th in the world in highest cost of living. The price of homes has increased significantly, often making homeownership out of reach for many. Which is why tiny home communities, a concept that first began in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has continued to gain in popularity. Tiny homes still allow people the luxury of owning but in an affordable price range.

Especially today, with prices still skyrocketing and home prices higher than ever, tiny home communities continue to rise in popularity. Plus, tiny home living offers a simpler way of life, one that requires homebuyers to adapt to living a life without excess that a traditional home may permit. While it may come with some challenges–tiny closets, small kitchen–it also comes with many perks, from increased sustainability and affordability to only owning what you need.

Not all tiny home communities are built the same. Some are exclusively for adults, making it difficult for families to find the ideal tiny home community to raise their children. This is where our list comes in handy, highlighting the best affordable family living in these tiny home communities.

A tiny home community is similar to an RV park. It is a place to park a tiny home. Additionally, not all tiny homes have wheels, which means you can build your tiny home and place it on the community's lot or rent it out in the community.

A tiny home will be a home that is less than 400 square feet (though there are larger models that work well for families.) A tiny home community may be an excellent choice for families who want to adopt a minimalistic and simplistic lifestyle.

Like anything, tiny home living comes with a wide range of pros and cons, especially if you are living with a family. While it would be difficult for a rather large family (say, six or more people) to live comfortably in a tiny home, those with a smaller family can make it work.

When a family chooses to live in a tiny home, they may get to keep more of their income. This can make the price of living feel more affordable. Tiny homes are known to be more affordable than traditional housing.

Since the tiny home is small, living in one with a family encourages closeness and together time and allows you to prioritize your family. Additionally, tiny homes can be flexible, especially on wheels. This means that living in a portable tiny home allows you to pick up and travel nationwide.

Living in a tiny home with a family also will encourage your children to get outside more. There will be less space to play, meaning running outside to get exercise becomes second nature. Furthermore, since you can't hoard much in a tiny home, living in one encourages you to purge and downsize, more naturally adapting to a minimalistic lifestyle.

Of course, living in a tiny home also comes with some cons. It requires you to be more patient and flexible, especially if you are living there with children. Your organization skills must be impeccable or, at the very least, grown. You can adopt rules such as "a place for everything, and everything in its place."

Plus, having to clean up often will help your children learn to fine-turn their clean-up skills.

Families may struggle to get alone time away from others, especially if needed. Parents may have to plan more intimate time together as well, given that there are not a lot of private spaces in a tiny home.

A family can live in a tiny home; several families have proven this true. However, it takes quite a bit of dedication, work, and intentionality. Most tiny homes can comfortably fit two to four people. If you have more than one or two children, you may need to look for communities that accommodate or offer larger tiny home models.

Yet, for many, the call to minimalism and simplicity is well worth the sacrifices they make to downsize. Now, let's take a look at 14 tiny home communities for families.

• Average cost: $1,000 deposit, $700-$750 for rent

Lake Dallas Tiny Home Village is located in the city limits of Dallas. Its ease of location means that many amenities are available for its residents. Currently, the community has 13 lots that offer a one-year lease. However, there is a waitlist.

The rent for the lot is between $600 and $750 and includes the following amenities:

• Trash
• Mowing
• Use of the washateria
• Water
• Sewer

Electric, however, is separate. Rent requires a $1,000 deposit; however, it is returned once the lease is up.

Lake Dallas Tiny Home Village residents have access to several perks. These include the use of the courtyard and backyard. Furthermore, the backyard is equipped with a fire pit and picnic table. Additionally, there is a community garden and washateria. Close by are the town libraries, parks, and post offices.

• Average cost: $650-$700

Tiny Tranquility in Waldport, Oregon, is a tiny home community for RVs and tiny homes that opened in June 2018. The community has six acres that fit 43 spots. Additionally, each lot is between 2,400 and 4,000 square feet, which allows room for one car.

Tiny Tranquility is two miles south of Waldport. Also, residents can rent a lot that costs between $650 and $700. The rent includes water and sewer hookups, Wi-Fi, and an accessible laundry facility.

One of the perks of living in this community is an ocean view for some homes. Furthermore, residents will have access to the following:

• Dog park
• Greenhouse
• Outdoor activity area
• Redwood commons
• Landscaping
• Large television room
• BBQ area
• Bonfire pits
• Community Garden
• Game and entertainment room
• Fitness area

• Average cost: Prices vary

Tiny Estates is genuinely a tiny home-living community. The average tiny home size is between 24 and 40 feet long and 8.5 to 10 feet wide. While a family of four and up may not be able to comfortably live here, those with two or three people may be able to make it work.

These Tiny Estates were created in 2018 and offer both short — and long-term stays. In addition, there are two communities, one in Florida and one in Pennsylvania.

Residents can bring their own tiny home if it meets the requirements listed.

• Average cost: $900

Park Your Tiny is an excellent tiny home community geared towards hikers. The residence encourages a sense of community and simplicity. Founded by brother and sister Melissa and John Block, they desired to create a place for those who love to be surrounded by nature.

Park Your Tiny offers six and 12-month leases, and the average cost of a lot is $900. Amenities included with rent are water, trash, and sewage. Electricity is separate, and residents must refill the gas tanks themselves.

If you reside at Park Your Tiny, you will be in the beautiful Laguna Mountains and close to the Pine House Cafe.

• Average cost: $560 a month (not including tiny home rent or payment)

Harbor Point Estates is located in Southeastern Chicago and offers larger models of tiny homes that families may love. The homes are between 900 and 1200 square feet, and the rental starts at $1,500. The rent includes both the house and the lot. However, residents can rent only a lot for around $560 a month.

However, all the amenities are separate from rent except for garbage.

Harbor Point Estates come with a hefty list of community perks. Children can enjoy the playground. At the same time, families will have access to the clubhouse. Additionally, enjoy nature with the array of lakes, forest preserves, and hiking trails at your convenience. Furthermore, this tiny home community is pet-friendly and close to Chicago's public library.

• Average cost: $700 a month

Acony Bell Tiny Home Community offers yearly leases on 50 acres. Located near Ashville, North Carolina, near the Blue Ridge Mountains, this tiny home community is a nature lover's dream.

At $700 a month, amenities include lot rental, water and electric hookups, sewage, standard area maintenance, and garbage and recycling. Residents are responsible for their own electricity and entertainment.  

Residents have access to many community perks while living at Acony Bell. These include a community garden, a chicken coop, a stream, hiking and biking trails, a stone community center, laundry facilities, and dining options.

• Average cost: lot prices between $30,000 to $40,000 for purchase

At Little River Escape, you can rent a lot nestled on 50 acres. The lots sit along the Little River in a private gated community. Leases are available for five-year terms.

Rent includes wooded lots with a garage and a driveway. Tiny houses also may have a patio, natural landscaping, and utilities.

Residents will have access to the typical guest house and a pool. Additionally, there are many waterfront lots where residents can enjoy swimming, fishing, and hiking.

• Average cost: Prices vary

Whispering Aspen Village in Fairplay, Colorado, is 30 minutes from Breckenridge and sits near the Mosquito Mountain range.

Within the community are 20 cabins, places for RV's, and Tiny Houses with wheels. Additionally, residents can enjoy the clubhouse, game room, free Wi-Fi, and fully equipped kitchen.

• Average cost: $565 to $765

Orlando Lakefront is a bird sanctuary that has turned land into a tiny house community. In this community are 47 tiny houses. Orlando Lakefront is pet-friendly and takes care of the landscaping and community maintenance.

In addition, there is a boat dock and fishing docks where residents can enjoy the waterfront. The laundromat and community garden are open to all residents, and there is also a green park available.

• Average cost: prices vary

Close to I-75 and I-4 sits the Escape Tampa Bay tiny house community. It is secure and private, making it an excellent place for families. Amenities with rent include water, garbage, private decks, security, parking, and landscaping maintenance. Not included are the prices for electricity, propane, and cable.

Families of two to four can stay in a unit. It is a quiet community, however, with rules in place.

Residents of Escape Tampa Bay can enjoy washers and dryers, climate control, LED lighting, and full kitchens in their homes.

• Average cost: $359 to $459

LuxTiny is on six acres near White Mountain. The community currently has 37 spaces, and residents can enjoy being close to Scott's Reservoir and Rainbow Lakes. The homes range between 160 and 399 square feet. Therefore, if you have a small family, you may be able to comfortably live here. Additionally, the average lot size is around 3,500 square feet.

Community features in LuxTiny will include:

• Gazebos
• Grills
• Large walking path
• Greenhouses
• Solar panels
• Chicken Coops
• Community Garden

Average cost: prices vary

Escalante Village is a riverfront mountain town near the Purples Cliffs. Additionally, it is 6,500 feet above sea level. There are 24 tiny home spaces within this community. Each space is around 20 feet to 40 feet deep. Additionally, each home is around eight feet to 26 feet deep.

There is enough room for two parked cars and a patio. Furthermore, rent includes recycling, internet, trash, electricity, sewer, water, and self-storage.

In addition, if you are a resident of Escalante Village, you can enjoy many perks. These perks include snow removal and landscaping, the ability to park close to the house, and a community garden.

Average cost: prices vary

WeeCasa has two communities: Lyons, Colorado, and Rapid City, South Dakota. In 2015, the neighbors of Lyons, Colorado, banded together after experiencing a major flood. As a solution, WeeCasa was built. It includes 22 homes and encompasses the feeling of simplicity.

WeeCasa offers nightly rates that can be extended. Therefore prices will vary.

Community perks include the ability to play lawn games and use the charcoal grills and fire pits. Additionally, residents have river access and free Wi-Fi.

Average cost: homes are reserved for those who are displaced from a home. Community First! takes applications through their website.

Community First! was a mission started by Mobile Loves and Fishes Outreach to provide for the homeless epidemic in their community. Currently, Community First! is home to 370 formerly displaced people.

Residents in this community have access to the common areas, laundry rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities. Additionally, there is an outdoor green space, chapel, park, and health clinic. Community First! continues to be a vital part of reaching the community in Austin, Texas, and continues to take applications for the community.

Tiny home communities may seem like a fad, but as the price of living continues to rise, more and more families are beginning to turn to this alternative lifestyle. Having a place to raise your family while valuing simplicity and togetherness has been an excellent way for families to pivot their lives. Instead of worrying about making ends meet, those who choose this lifestyle find freedom financially and mentally.

Additionally, communities encourage getting to know neighbors, exploring nature, and adopting a different mindset than traditional living.

If you are looking for affordable and comfortable tiny home living spaces to raise your family, take a look at the ones on this list today. While the lifestyle of going tiny may come with a learning curve, many families find satisfaction after adapting to this alternative lifestyle.