Inside an off-grid tiny home community starting at $170 a night - it's 'perfect place to unplug, rel

May 2024 · 4 minute read

TUCKED away in a corner of central Pennsylvania is the Tiny Estates community.

Here, in Elizabethtown, residents have everything they need to live all in spaces that don’t average much more than 500 square feet.

According to the Tiny Estates website, the homes are the "perfect place to unplug, relax and recharge."

The village is part of a larger national trend that’s occurring as more Americans turn to tiny homes to save money on their monthly living expenses while embracing a more minimalist lifestyle.

Tiny Estates began in 2018 when owners Ryan and Abby Shank converted the land and built the community as a way to let people experience tiny home living firsthand.

Visitors have their choice between nightly and long term stays, and there are a variety of home designs suited for any style.

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To date, nearly 60 homes occupy the property, and residents can also opt to bring their own home as long as it fits size and lease requirements.

“What we’ve tried to create is an opportunity for people of all different backgrounds to live in a community they feel they have some ownership,” Ryan told Penn Live.

Prices for the properties already existing range from $50,000 to $150,000.

But nightly guests can book a spot for just $170.

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Meanwhile, the size of the homes ranges from 24 to 40 feet, with about 8 feet in width, offering enough space for queen or even king sized beds.

And the community's services are wide ranging.

Your full rent covers water, sewer, wifi, grounds maintenance, trash as well as security to the private community.

Alongside the property, you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy the lake near the village as well as a common area stocked with grills and fire pits.

And best of all, the downtown area of Elizabethtown is only a few minutes away from the secluded, peaceful Tiny Estates.

Families of all sizes can fit as well.

No matter if you’re looking for a space for you and your significant other or an entire family, Tiny Estates has a place to offer you.

Tiny Estates is also looking to build out its community beyond Pennsylvania.

Currently, there are plans to establish similar tiny home villages in South Carolina and Tennessee, but exact details haven’t been released.

VISITOR REVIEWS

Since the tiny home community first launched, many people have enjoyed their stay in the unorthodox living setup.

“I was always fascinated by tiny houses so was happy to have an opportunity to stay one night in one,” one guest said in a review on Yelp. “I thought the house was cute and had everything we needed.”

Another person raved about their experience online as well.

“This place is awesome!!! We absolutely adored our tiny home and would most definitely come back again!!” they wrote.

“There are so many Tiny Homes to choose from and the community is so inviting. When you check in, they give you a welcome pack of pretzels, popcorn, and coasters! So stinking cute!!”

Another one said the nature around the community was a big pro.

“The house was clean and comfortable, they provided clean linens so we could make our own bed due to Covid, which I appreciated,” the reviewer said. “Lots of cute ducks walking around and it was very peaceful and relaxing.”

DIY TINY HOMES

Many Americans have built tiny homes on their own terms, but there are many things to keep in mind before you get started.

While tiny homes often offer more financial freedom than traditional housing, there are arguably some disadvantages to living in a mini unit.

Those living in RVs, for example, may find many drawbacks.

While the homes on wheels present the flexibility of traveling wherever you’d like, many town ordinances require them to only be parked in certain spaces for a short period of time.

And even if you live in a shed-turned-tiny-home, there’s a strong possibility you’ll encounter pushback.

Sheds also require you to know your state and county’s zoning laws, as you typically won’t be able to fully live in a shed on someone else’s home property.

You will also be responsible for adding all the required plumbing and electrical services.

Finding a space for your tiny home may not prove as simple as imagined either.

Spaces are routinely put up for auction on sites like Facebook Marketplace, but you also might have to look for one in an established tiny home village.

Read More on The US Sun

Amazon is selling the blueprints for a cozy cottage tiny home for just $60.

And two brothers transformed a $100 trailer into a luxurious mini camper.

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