December 20, 2018 - Updated May 15, 2023
While it may appear that Americans are working harder and wanting more out of life, a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders shows that more than half of Americans would consider living in a 600 square foot space. The average home in America is 2,600 square feet. One person that isn’t shocked by this statistic is Mike McCann, founder of Simple Life communities. “Every day we are giving tours to people who are ready to leave their larger homes and downsize to what we call a Simple Life,” shared McCann. “They are embracing the idea of tiny home living where you can simplify your life and really live a higher quality lifestyle.” “We work very closely with award-winning architects to design exactly what our tiny home buyer is looking for. Just because our homeowner is giving up more than 2,000 square feet in most cases doesn’t mean they want to give up style and function,” said McCann. Simple Life communities are giving more than 200 tours of their tiny homes each month in their Flat Rock, North Carolina community.
Consumers aren’t the only ones openly accepting of this tiny lifestyle. There is even bigger demand and interest from planning and zoning departments in cities across Florida. “We are working very closely with officials in several highly desirable Florida locations because we have something they know their residents need. More affordable living .” The tiny home living is synonymous with relaxation but the zoning process is often linked to frustration. Getting legal clearance to develop affordable housing can be a tedious process often delaying and canceling developments. “Planning and zoning departments have embraced Simple Life as an affordable solution sorely needed throughout the U.S., specifically the southeast,” shared McCann,“We at Simple Life are helping blaze the trail because there is actually no official zoning for ‘tiny home communities.’ We’ve already successfully cultivated tiny home communities that residents are living in and loving and were able to prove that our process works and it benefits both the county and its residents.”
Tiny homes are also often linked to traditional mobile homes. However, there is a vast difference between mobile homes and a tiny home in a Simple Life community. McCann works closely with architects, manufacturers and land planners to provide a luxury experience. “It’s a downsize with an upgrade,” said McCann, “Most people are shocked when they tour our tiny home communities and see winding streets, with well-manicured common areas, and a variety of high-end small homes. It doesn’t look anything like the grid and vinyl siding of a traditional mobile home park.”
Tiny homeowners are often from the baby boomer generation and their priorities surround living a high-quality lifestyle. However, Simple Life is securing land in popular cities and tourist destinations as the enthusiasm of living in a tiny home continue to grow with younger homebuyers as well. With two Simple Life communities already on the map in Western North Carolina and several more slated for the upcoming year and beyond in North Carolina and Florida. McCann and his team are excited to be paving the way and working with city and county officials in providing what so many are looking for.
Tiny homes in Simple Life communities start in the low $100s and include use of community amenities that are specific to each development but include a pool, fitness center, internet café, yoga room, dog park, and outdoor gathering spaces. For more information about living a simpler life in our communities contact our Simple Life Concierge at 904-574-5977, email us info@simplelife1dev.wpengine.com or visit us at 24 Empire Lane, Flat Rock, North Carolina 28731. Our offices are open Monday through Saturday from 10am – 5pm.
