The booming tiny house industry has begun to completely revolutionize what the future of the American dream could look like. Finally, having a home seems accessible to all. Whether you crave being in the wild, want to have more quality time with loved ones, see the world, reduce your carbon footprint or save money - then living in a tiny home could be right for you. Even though living in under 500 square feet of space seems simple on the surface - it can be a rather long, complex journey and there is little information out there on how to navigate through it. So, here are some helpful tips for those about to embark on their tiny living adventure!
1. A Location You Love Matters
It sounds cliche - but location truly does matter. Since you will be living in a smaller space, you will probably be spending much more of your time outdoors. The fun of the tiny living experience can easily get spoiled if you are living on a plot of land you do not like, in weather you can’t tolerate or next to neighbors that don’t agree with your lifestyle.
Along with deciding how much you are willing to spend and how much space you would like for your plot of land - you also con
sider what view you love the most, and what weather conditions you feel happiest in! Buying land for your tiny home is where tiny living can get expensive. But - this shouldn’t scare you into settling for a practical plot of land, rather than a plot of land you truly love. If your dream plot of land is over budget, but doesn’t lack in beauty, then go for it. If it is a beautiful place - others would probably love to visit too. You can rent out your tiny home on Airbnb to help pay off the price of the land!
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2. Your Town or City May Not Be Tiny House Friendly
Even though tiny homes are possibly the most non-invasive infrastructures - many states have not figured out how to properly regulate them, making tiny homes technically illegal in some parts of America. Check up on your area’s zoning laws to make sure you can properly register your foundational tiny home. Some states may require you to register your home as an RV - which is legal only if you are constantly moving it around. It is, of course, not impossible to legalize your foundational tiny home - but it may require jumping through a few extra hoops, and timely research. Since the tiny house movement is growing larger each year - there is hope that in the next few years it will be much easier to legally live tiny everywhere.
3. There May Be Surprising Additional Costs
Even though tiny homes are much more affordable than traditional housing - the indirect costs in the beginning of the building process can easily add up, so it is important to plan for surprise costs. Apartment Therapy estimates that a tiny house can easily cost $300 per square foot. If you are building a tiny home yourself, things like fInding size specific furniture and energy-efficient appliances can get pretty expensive. If you are buying a tiny home that is pre-built, it is likely you will have to pay for transportation costs and possible added personal touches.
Don't sweat over the scary numbers. It will feel like a lot at first, but at the end of the day, you will save so much money over the years to come if you continue to live minimally and sustainably - not to mention the amazing impact you’ll have on the planet!
4. You’ll Need To Give Yourself Plenty of Time To Adjust
...and that is more than okay! Tiny living is all about living slowly and consciously - so do not worry if you feel like the process is taking forever. Great things take time. Little things like ensuring your tiny home and getting permits can take a while. Also figuring out where to dispose trash, how to get mail delivered, finding access to a water source, and minimizing all of your belongings is no small feat. Adjusting to new space limitations and a minimalistic lifestyle is an amazing, messy journey that you'll ultimately look back on with great admiration. So, sit back, enjoy the process and take it all in - before you know it you’ll be mastering a new norm and living happily ever after.
If buying land is not in the budget - do not worry! You certainly do not have to buy land to live in a tiny home. You can build your home on wheels and road trip your heart out, live at one of the many tiny house communities popping up all over the United States, rent land, or even stay in your friends backyard. When it comes to any form of tiny living - you just have to be prepared to get creative! To learn more about tiny living and off-grid living, check out this tiny house blog!
