Mt. Hood Village RV Resort in Welches, Ore., has partnered together with Tumbleweed Tiny House Company to create a tiny house village in the Oregon Thousand Trails park. According to Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, as it is being called, will have its grand opening on May 20, 2016, and will feature five different tiny homes to choose from when staying there.
What does the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village include?
Mt. Hood offers many amenities to those who choose to stay at the village. Thousand Trails points out that laundry facilities, a fitness center, a small store, a spa with a hot tub, a playground and a library are some of the basics that are provided. For those who are looking for something to do while staying at the resort, Mt. Hood has plenty of hiking trails and mountain biking trails nearby. Year-round skiing is also available at Timberline Lodge. Tumbleweed Tiny House shares that golfing, rock climbing, fishing and bird watching can also be found.
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How is the life in the village?
Besides the basic amenities offered by the resort, Thousand Trails points out that those who stay Mt. Hood Village can participate in a wide variety of planned activities, rekindle old friendships or make new ones. A bakery and cafe are available for those who want to sit and talk over a cup of coffee. Since the village is nestled in the forest in the foothills of Mt. Hood, those who want to be by themselves can easily escape people by taking to the hiking and biking trails of the surrounding woods.
Fishing around the quiet lake or going bird watching are other possibilities for spending your day.
Mt. Hood RV has partnered with Tumbleweed Tiny Homes to place five homes in the village. Each home has a different floor plan and will allow visitors to get a taste of the possibilities of a tiny home.
What do the Tumbleweed Houses models include?
1. The Atticus.
The Atticus, according to Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, is supposed to be the "sleek, rugged, modern" tiny home. It is described as having the personality of one who seeks to sleep under the stars and seeks adventure. With 178 square feet of space, this tiny house can sleep three people. It has a full bath and a kitchen, along with a front porch. Part of the loft space has been set up for additional storage.
2. The Scarlett.
Not to be outdone, the Scarlett is a tiny version of a farm house. The inside is decorated with "family heirlooms" and seeks to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in which those who visit can make lasting memories. This home uses all 233 square feet to nestle five people at night. It also has a full bath, a kitchen and a front porch. The extra storage in the loft is done away with in order to create extra sleeping space in the model.
3. The Lincoln
The Lincoln was created for those who want to embrace the minimalist lifestyle. It has a stripped-down style with nothing but the bare necessities included. Since the focus of this home is making the most with a small space, the Lincoln sleeps five in its 261 square feet and still has room for storage. It also has a full bath, a kitchen and a great room. For those who have a pet and can't leave him or her behind, this tiny home is the place to stay as it allows for pets at a minimal additional cost.
4. The Zoe.
Zoe is the whimsical, carefree home. The inside is "boho chic" and strives to create a feeling of carefree happiness. One of the smaller units at 196 square feet, Zoe sleeps only three, but does have a full bathroom, a kitchen and some storage in the loft.
5. The Savannah.
Getting its name from the South, the Savannah is styled after southern homes. Designers sought to capture "southern charm" and hospitality in this quaint, mini mansion. With only 175 square feet, Savannah is the smallest tiny house and only sleeps three, but it still has a full bath, a kitchen and loft storage. The great room design is open and lends itself to letting people sit around and chat.
Why are places like this village so significant for the tiny house movement?
Why are tiny villages growing so popular? Are they significant, and if so, why? Tiny villages are a huge step forward for the tiny home movement. Zoning laws, as pointed out by The Tiny Life, make placing a tiny abode anyplace you want very difficult. If the tiny house isn't built by a certified RV manufacturer, it can't go in an RV park. Most municipalities have building codes that regulate the size and types of structures that are placed on land. Claiming that you're "camping" in your tiny home will only work for 30 days, and then you can be forced to move. With all of these hurdles, having tiny villages built specifically for tiny homes gets tiny living a step in the right direction.
Before you decide that tiny living is for you, though, you should think about a few lessons that have been learned by those who have gone before you. Tumbleweed Tiny House Company's blog shares a few things to consider before going tiny. First, since space is limited, tiny homes get messy very quickly. Making sure you put things away immediately is the best preventative measure. Second, although tiny houses often come on wheels so that they can be moved, they are not as easy to move as an RV. You don't want to be forced to move every 30 days. Third, unless the home was built by a RVIA certified company, it will be difficult to insure. With it being your primary residence, you will want it insured.
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If you are considering going tiny, taking a vacation to a place that has tiny homes and living in one for a period of time is a great way to see if tiny living is a fit for you. As Tumbleweed's blogger puts it, "If you find out that 'going tiny' is not for you, that's okay! At least you learned more about the movement and yourself."