Baby Boomers Meet the Tiny House Boom

Tiny Home Communities seem poised to take a huge chunk out of the “Senior Living” establishments of today.

The tiny home movement has taken a surprising turn. The 400-600 square foot abodes have attracted the attention of lifestyle community developers who see a way to provide affordable luxury living for the aging Baby Boomer population.

There are an estimated 60 million plus Boomers in the United States. Attracted to “right sized” housing by the promise of living well but without debt, they are also ready for the support of community life but aren’t interested in senior living centers and are far from the need for assisted living.

Until recently, people who fit this profile had little to no choice in housing.

Tiny homes, the small houses on wheels, that gained popularity through HGTV, have emerged as the surprise solution to this need. Built onto semi-permanent foundations and arranged into a community around services and amenities, these homes provide the aging population with a balance of independence and support, luxury and affordability.

Sometimes called Cottage Communities, these tiny home villages feature craftsman quality homes that sell for under $100,000. Services like water and sewer, basic cable, and internet are purchased in bulk and distributed to residents, simplifying all monthly bills into one lump sum. Amenities include active adult attractions like a pool and sports courts, clubhouse, fitness facility, yoga room, multiple dog parks, and common green spaces.

“Our communities are close to services and nightlife and also have access to world class outdoor recreation and travel,” says Mike McCann, CEO of Simple Life, a development company that has two Cottage Communities in Western North Carolina and several more on the way in Florida. “Living in a smaller home with zero maintenance allows our residents the time to enjoy those things.”

Perhaps most importantly, Cottage Communities provide boomers the ability to customize their personal space. With craftsman-quality construction and high-end finishes, these small homes can be personalized for the consumer who knows exactly what she wants. The size restriction is due to the zoning many of these micro-communities hold, however residents say the small interiors encourage outdoor living where connections with friends and neighbors can be easily formed.

The tiny home movement has gained new supporters in Baby Boomers who feel they have finally found a housing choice that feels right. Cottage Communities are providing the chance to live simply with all the amenities of a quality lifestyle, spend time in the outdoors, and enjoy the security of a friendly, welcoming neighborhood.

“We are building more than homes,”McCann says. “We are building a new kind of community.”

To find out more about how you can become the newest neighbor in the Simple Life community in Flat Rock, NC, contact them with the information below.

To find out more about how you can become the newest neighbor in the Simple Life community in Flat Rock, NC, contact them with the information below.

Simple Life
135 2nd Avenue North
Jacksonville Beach, FL  32250

Coles Whalen
Marketing Director
(310) 508 – 2867

Published in Tiny House Magazine Issue 67