The phrase, “Tiny House” has become increasingly popular. With the rising popularity of this alternative style of living, a lot of families find themselves asking, “What is a tiny house and should I own one?”
The exact definition of a tiny home is unclear, one consistent definition is that a tiny house can be defined as a dwelling consisting of 400 square feet or less. Tiny houses can be built on a foundation or on a trailer. Giving families the option to live in one location or travel the country.
The Big Shift
The standard of Western living is typically “bigger is always better”. This sets the tone that the size of your home indicates the level of your success, until recently. It appears that a turn of lifestyles has occurred, thanks to the internet, travel, and a shift in quality of life. For some,a huge home looks less attractive due to the maintenance, upkeep and high dollar price tag.
A New Standard Of Living
What do we really need to live happy and fulfilled lives? Is it measured by the size of our house or the amount of material things we own? Or is it measured by our relationships and experiences? The answer to this will be a little different for everyone. Maybe the cliche “money doesn’t buy happiness” exists for a reason!
Pros Of Tiny Living
- Portability and the ability to travel easily.
- Less space to clean and maintain.
- A reduction in living exegeses.
- More efficient use of energy.
- The ability to live anywhere and travel almost anywhere with your pets.
Cons Of Tiny Living
- Zoning can sometimes be an issue and finding a place to park your tiny home could be difficult.
- You need a large truck to tow your home around depending on size.
- Traditional amenities may be limited or omitted.
- Storage can be limited
- Emptying your composting toilet may not be the highlight of your day.
The Sore Spot of the Tiny Movement: Zoning Issues
The tiny moment is growing so quickly, legislation can’t keep up. Many states within the United States have failed to agree on who can own a tiny house, where a tiny house can go and what classifies as a tiny house. In turn, leaving a lot of the regulations up to law makers on the county level. Which in turn, leave a lot of residents frustrated and without answers.
A few obstacles of tiny house living include the debate regarding if a tiny house should be on a foundation or remain on wheels. Some local ordinances state a tiny house should be built on wheels and classified as a RV. Unfortunately, RVs are allowed in parks and camp grounds, but can’t always be parked on a backyard or private piece of land for permanent living. Additionally, you may not legally be allowed to live in your tiny home for more than a set amount of days at a time (some places the cap is 90 days). It is important to do the research for your local and state regulations to find out how, when, and where you can live in your tiny house (before you purchase).
Is Tiny Living For You?
Tiny living may not be for everyone, but it could be a viable option for you! Will you be joining the tiny house movement?
To read about how I survived 30 days in an RV click here.
Netflix has a fun new series out featuring you guessed it, tiny homes, their occupants and why they made the switch! Watch Now!
PaSH Magazine is a lifestyle publication. Our slogan is “all your tiny obsessions.” We are strong advocates of self-love, self-care, body positivity and supporting minorities, especially women, people of color and communities not highlighted in mainstream media. Please send pitches to southernpashmag@gmail.com. Please note that we sometimes use affiliate links. If you purchase anything from a link we have provided, we may receive a small commission. This money is used to help support our efforts at PaSH Inc.
