Anyone who has been considering a tiny home knows one of the biggest challenges is where to put it. If you own a lot of land that’s great. You just need to check your zoning to see if it will allow a Recreational Vehicle, which is how the park model, 399 sf models are classified.
If you don’t own land then you need to place it on a lease lot in a park.
Some mobile home communities allow park models but some do not. That’s because the certifications for mobile homes are different. There are also RV parks that may have a separate section for park models which typically stay in place and are not towed around, due to their width. Park models are 12 or 15 ‘ wide and require special permits to travel on roads. They are usually put on a semi truck. A towable RV is 8’ft wide to accommodate road widths throughout the US. RV parks have the disadvantage of a transient community but often offer more amenities like pools or fitness centers and playgrounds for kids.
And then there are small communities just dedicated to park models. I found a 55 and over park model community in Liberty Hill, Texas. ( That means you must be 55 or older to live there). It is 25 acres in total and studded with oak trees on one end, and pasture on the other. The entrance is gated and the road meanders through the site with homes tucked in among the trees. The park’s goal is 20 homes in the next year, and possibly another 20 at some future date in the meadows section.
Park amenities include water ( both drinking and irrigation water) and a individual septic system for each home. There will be a dog park, a small community center with a kitchen for parties and if desired by residents a community garden. There is also a tower to facilitate internet connection. The property has open views and big shade trees and is on a rural county road.
The downtown of Liberty Hill is about 5 miles from the site on a more main feeder road. Liberty Hill ( pop approx. 3500) is about 30 min to Georgetown (pop approx. 50,000). So you are close to bigger city amenities but more rural. What Liberty Hill lacks in size it makes up for in amenities. It has a great school system and a sports stadium for the High School Panthers. Even a library. There is also a Lions ball park, International sculpture park, a Veterans park, several restaurants, a brewery and services such as banking, a local newspaper, a small grocery store with a local raised meat counter, medical facilities, hair salon , ladies boutique, a Tractor Supply and hardware etc. Along the highway are the typical Dairy Queen and other fast food options. They are building a swimming complex and new community center due to open next year. I like the small town feel of the historic downtown and older Craftsman and Victorian homes.
The other residential areas include some tract type limestone homes and large ranches. On the feeder roads are plenty of small business’ in houses. Agape BBQ has a large yard and live music, but is also a coffee shop in the Am. A restaurant in the downtown is also a bakery where you can pick up fresh bread and pastries or meals to take home or dine in. The new Main Street Social is a small food hall with independent vendors and a large public area for live music, dining and being social.
Georgetown is the home of Southwestern University, the oldest college in Texas and has a large focus on public art and galleries. It has a beautiful town square filled with shops, restaurants and live music. You are minutes from a swimming area called Blue Hole along the river and there is a large lake with over 9 miles of bike and walking trails. In this larger town you’ll find Natural Grocers, Aldi and HEB for groceries along with several Farmers markets. And there’s a large outdoor mall next to I-35 that goes into Austin and its suburbs (approx. 1 hr) . The mall, called Wolf Crossing, has a Longhorn Steakhouse, Starbucks and dozens of stores.
For me this is the best of both worlds. Living primarily rural, yet having ½ hr access to a larger “city” for the amenities it can offer. I’m anxious to see how my chocolate might fit into this community or even larger Georgetown. I don’t think I’m ready for a full- fledged store but I’ve seen a lot of creative collaborations there so maybe there’s one for me.
What about you? What attracts you to the area you live in? Do you prefer rural or city living?
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