Inside a tiny home community where rent starts at $650 and everything from electric, internet, and taxes are included

A tiny apartment share has everything you could ever need for only $650 rent and that includes all electricity, internet and taxes.

The village is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

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Covering an area of ​​14 hectares, the community of Tiny Estates currently has 58 lots, and the number is set to grow to 100 in the near future.

Tiny houses are gaining popularity as Americans look for a way to boost their dollar in the face of high inflation.

Tiny Estates capitalizes on this trend, and for just $650, you’ve got everything you need in one tiny estate.

In a recent Tiny Home Expedition YouTube episode, owner Abby Shank shared a little insight into the alternative lifestyle.

BEGINNING OF A VILLAGE

Originally designated as a campground, Tiny Estates opened in 2018 with 15 rentals per night.

Initially, the space functioned more like a hotel, but Shank said over time it has evolved into the community it is today, very different from its past as an RV park.

“We’ve been working with the community on how to clean it up and improve it so it’s a win-win for the city,” Abby said.

The space soon attracted small home builders who would exhibit their designs and let visitors try them before they bought them.

However, the pandemic has changed everything.

“When Covid hit, we realized we had a huge waiting list of people who wanted to live in a tiny home,” Abby said.

Renting small houses proved more difficult during this period, as more and more Americans felt cooped up in their homes every day.

For example, Abby said Tiny Estates has transitioned entirely to a community of owners.

Nowadays you can rent out a property for six months and work there long term or use it as accommodation while visiting the area.

“Everyone has a different lifestyle and reason for their tiny home, but it created this beautiful, inclusive sense of community,” Abby said.

WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

Tiny Estates offers many benefits to its residents, both long-term and short-term.

On the one hand, they have the opportunity to take part in “Community Days”, where all residents take part in an activity together.

A community hub serves as the hub for all gatherings that take place within Tiny Estates.

This can be a game night, a knitting circle, or a music night, with activities as diverse as the people who live there.

Rent varies from $650 to $750 and covers just about everything you can think of — water, electricity, propane, internet, trash, mowing, and property taxes.

The space also features a communal garden, fire pit, mailbox space, and laundry facilities.

Residents tend to share any produce they grow, providing a new food source for everyone on the property, Abby said.

There’s also an off-leash dog park, ensuring all residents, furry or not, have enough space to roam and enjoy the Tiny Estates.

FUTURE OF SMALL ESTATE

This is just the beginning of what is to come in the tiny home village.

Soon, Abby said, residents can expect a large and small dog park, as well as electric vehicle charging stations to help those striving for a more sustainable lifestyle.

There will also be a dedicated portion of the Tiny Estates lot earmarked for hotel-style rentals, while the remainder of the area will offer lots for long-term living.

“The goal is about 25 hectares to plant about 100 sites,” Abby said. “Ultimately, we’d like to have a little rental pod where people can try it out and experience the community.”

With this, Tiny Estates continues its larger mission of providing affordable housing as traditional real estate prices remain prohibitive for many Americans.

“Our hope is more of an affordable community home and a better option for people who want something permanent,” Abby said.

She expects about 30 to 40 more tiny estate communities to spring up across the country over the next five years.

If you are interested in starting a small community in your own town, you can fill out the form on the Tiny Estates website.

EFFECTIVE LIFE

Tiny Estates resident Dylan was initially surprised at how impressive tiny homes can be.

“I thought it was going to be a really compact walk, where you crouched the whole time,” he said.

“When we actually toured it, the place was amazing.”

Another resident, Debra, said the tiny home lifestyle gave her flexibility and financial independence when she divorced after working as a housewife for more than 20 years.

“Since I didn’t have a job, I couldn’t necessarily post my resume,” she said.

“I don’t exist as a person. So when I try to rent an apartment in an apartment building, my application is not even accepted.”

Tiny Estates is different, and for a rent of just $650, many community members really can’t beat the price.

“I’m so grateful,” Debra said.

“Being on a journey and coming out of a dark place, that’s such a positive thing.”

Entire families can also live in the tiny living spaces.

A little home lover shared how she converted a $13,000 van into a full-on living facility for her nomadic lifestyle.

Also, Lowe’s is selling a house shed that you can easily convert into your own tiny home for just $12,000.