If you dream of living in a tiny house, consider setting your sights on Georgia. This state is very tiny-house friendly, with many tiny home communities across the peach tree state.
In this guide, we are going to introduce you to some of the most inviting tiny home communities in Georgia. We’ll share their rules, amenities and environments with you so you can figure out which of them might be candidates for your next home.
Our Favorite Tiny Home Communities in Georgia
1. Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston – Clarkston, GA
1182 Vaughan St, Clarkston, GA 30021
https://www.microlifeinstitute.org/cottages
Is there a community for Atlanta tiny homes? Yes! As the name makes clear, Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston is a tiny house community that is located in Clarkston, Georgia. Clarkston, in turn, is part of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area.
Cottages on Vaughn in Clarkston has the distinction of being the first tiny house community in all of Georgia. It is operated by MicroLife Institute.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports, “The Atlanta Regional Commission recognized the Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston — the state’s first tiny home community — as the most innovative development in metro Atlanta this year.”
The post continues, “The commission, which oversees development projects in 10 metro Atlanta counties, highlighted the tiny home project in its 2021 Regional Excellence Awards, according to a news release. The Cottages on Vaughan consists of eight standalone homes that are 250 to 550 square foot in size. Spanning a half-acre in total, the ‘micro-pocket’ neighborhood a few blocks from Clarkston’s downtown opened over the summer.”
This community is a demonstration of a new way of life—one that is more affordable, friendlier to the planet, and which facilitates cooperation. If you end up moving here, you will be pioneering that new, sustainable lifestyle.
- At the time of this writing, there are eight micro-cottage homes in the community. Houses are equipped with eco-friendly features such as solar panels. The homes are 250 square feet or 492 square feet. The placement of the homes ensures that all residents get to enjoy their share of privacy.
- Amenities in this community include a green common area and edible landscaping. That means that you will be able to cut back on your grocery bills (and these days, that is a huge deal).
- One of the goals of this tiny house community is to function as a community. MicroLife explains, “These are for people who choose to be part of a closely-knit intentional neighborhood. Think: cohousing. There is a strong community structure with shared agreements, tools for decision-making, dispute resolution, and community life.”
- This community has a quaint, suburban look and feel that will remind you of earlier epochs, while simultaneously looking toward the future. The atmosphere is delightfully inviting and enchanting.
- With this community’s location in Clarkston, you will be really close to all the amenities that Clarkston and Atlanta have to offer. It may also be a good option from a commuting standpoint.
Best For:
You will feel at home at Cottages on Vaughan in Clarkston if you want to live in a sustainable, eco-friendly community in the Atlanta area that encourages you to build strong connections with your neighbors.
Please note that at the time of this writing, all the houses in this community are occupied. You will need to wait for one to become available if you want to live here.
2. River Ridge Escape Communities
8021 Hwy 48, Menlo GA 30731
https://riverridgeescapes.com/communities/
River Ridge Escape is a company that sells tiny homes and also operates multiple tiny house communities. They make it super easy to find the perfect home for your needs.
As they explain, “Browse our selection of models, and schedule a time to tour a tiny house. You can even spend the night! Once you’ve chosen your tiny house, we can help you find the perfect place to live. We have several tiny home communities in the mountains of North Georgia, or we can ship your tiny home anywhere in the country.”
We absolutely love the idea of spending the night in the home you are thinking of buying! That is a great way to “try on” the house to make sure it really suits you.
River Ridge Escape owns these communities in Georgia and Alabama (mostly GA):
- Cloudland Escape II: This is a small community located on Lookout Mountain Parkway. There are only 9 lots, so it is a great option if you want a sense of seclusion. These lots can be purchased (not rented).
- High Point Escape: Another option if you want to be able to buy your own lot is the larger High Point Escape, which has 19 lots. Both larger and smaller lots are available to buy. This community is also on Lookout Mountain.
- Little River Escape: Those who want to lease a lot for a Georgia tiny homes might want to move to Little River Escape. There are a ton of amenities at this community, and every lot is unique. You will be excited to learn that it is located on Lookout Mountain as well.
- Pine Ridge Escapes: You can buy lots at this location in Lyerly, GA, that are surrounded by stunning mountain scenery including forest and pastures. Be aware that the lots have not been developed, so you will need to take care of that.
- Shady Oak Escape: Do you want a location that is conveniently close to town? Think about moving into Shady Oak Escapes, which is just a few miles from Menton, AL. You can buy a lot for a tiny house here.
- Silver Hill Escape: This is another community in Lyerly, GA. The lots are available for purchase. Amenities include a patio, pool, fire pits, hiking trail, and community overlook.
While we searched around for other tiny house communities, what we discovered is that this company owns the vast majority in the state of Georgia.
So, we would not be surprised if they expand their collection of communities further in the future, offering even more options to tiny dwellers in the state.
Let’s take a look at what they offer.
- Every one of these communities is located in a gorgeous mountain area densely packed with verdant forest. That means that you can enjoy ample shade, staying cool in your tiny house during those hot Georgia summers. You will also be enjoying beautiful views from your porch or through your windows.
- The different communities come in different sizes; some are relatively intimate, featuring just a few lots, while others are quite large, with numerous lots. Still others are somewhere in between. You can decide what kind of setting is right for you.
- Exact amenities depend on where you choose to move, but these communities for Georgia tiny homes boast amenities such as pool houses, river access, hiking trails, garden clubs, gyms, dog parks and more.
The pricing for the lots is very reasonable at the time of this writing. Again, depending on which community you are interested in, you can either lease a lot or purchase it.
Best For:
If you want your pick of gorgeous forested communities with inexpensive lots, then River Ridge Escapes communities are all worth a look.
We really appreciate the flexibility of these communities as well. You can either purchase a home from River Ridge Escapes, or you can bring a home of your own.
River Ridge Escapes says, “You can work with any builder as long as your design is approved for our community. Keep in mind that if you purchase a tiny house through us, we will help you manage that relationship if there are any issues, and may even be able to handle small repairs locally.”
3. South Park Cottages
3120 Godby Rd. College Park, GA 30349
The new South Park Cottages community outside of Atlanta consists of 29 modern, compact homes. Each dwelling ranges from 400 to 600 square feet, providing residents with efficient living spaces. Despite their small size, these homes offer a big opportunity – the chance for more people to own property. The price point for these homes is set below $300,000, making them an attractive option for many.
Key features of the micro-housing community:
- Located near a major airport
- 29 compact, modern homes
- 400-600 square feet per unit
- Priced under $300,000
- Focus on affordability and accessibility
This project stands out as one of the first of its kind in the United States. It represents a bold step towards creating more inclusive housing options. The developer behind this initiative has a vision of building neighborhoods that cater to diverse communities, particularly people of color.
The micro-housing concept is gaining traction as a potential solution to housing shortages. Urban planners and housing experts are taking note of its potential to create more connected city centers. This approach challenges the trend of isolating living spaces and instead promotes a sense of community.
The development process for this project took an unconventional route. Funding came through community support and local government backing. This grassroots approach to financing demonstrates the strong local interest in innovative housing solutions.
The micro-housing community has seen rapid success since its launch. Nearly all units were sold shortly after the grand opening in June. This quick uptake suggests a strong demand for alternative housing options that offer affordability without sacrificing quality or community connection.
Key Reasons to Consider Living In A Tiny House in Georgia
Is Georgia a good state in which to live in a tiny home?
Absolutely! Here are a few reasons to think about living in a tiny home in Atlanta or elsewhere in GA:
- Flexible zoning rules and building codes: Georgia’s counties and cities are pretty relaxed about tiny house development. That means that it is pretty easy to find a place where you can live in a tiny home full-time in this state. Contrast that with states that actively try to deter people from living in tiny houses. We can see why Georgia has become such a popular destination for tiny living.
- A number of different types of tiny houses are permitted in GA, including mobile homes, RVs, site-built homes, and modular homes. So, you can truly live in your dream home.
- Many communities to choose from: There are an abundance of communities accepting Georgia tiny homes. We expect even more to pop up over the years ahead as more people decide to downsize their homes and their lives. So, finding a tiny house community that suits you should not be too challenging.
- Friendly neighbors: Whether you are looking for a spot for Atlanta tiny homes or tiny houses anywhere else in the state, you will discover that the southern charm that GA is famous for is right at home in tiny communities. You can look forward to building great relationships with the people who live next door to you.
- Gorgeous lots: One thing we can say about tiny house community lots in Georgia is that they are flat-out breathtaking. Most of the communities that currently exist in GA are situated in wooded areas where outdoor enthusiasts will feel right at home.
Questions to Ask When Choosing a Tiny House Community
When you are looking for a community in which to move into a tiny house in GA, it is important to remember that not every community is going to be a fit for your requirements.
To help you narrow down your search effectively, here are some questions you can ask as you explore the possibilities:
- Do you want to purchase a tiny home in a community? Or do you want to bring a home you already own?
- Would you prefer to lease a lot, or do you want to own one?
- Is one of your priorities to move to a tiny house community in GA that is sustainable and features eco-friendly homes?
- How efficient is your tiny house at staying cool? This is an important consideration in light of how blazing hot GA summers can be. If it is hard to keep your tiny home cool, think about choosing a community with shade.
- Do you prefer to be close to the city, or out in nature? Or are you in search of the best of both worlds?
- How close do you want your home to be to that of your neighbors? Do you want to move to a community that facilitates intentional relationships between neighbors, or would you be happier to have plenty of space to yourself and less contact with other community members?
- What amenities are you looking for?
- If you will be spending a lot of time outdoors, what recreational opportunities do you want to have available right in your backyard?
- What is your budget for your tiny house? What about for your lot?
Final Thoughts
Now you are familiar with some of the top communities for Georgia tiny homes. We have also gone over some key questions you can ask yourself as you are browsing communities to help you find one that will be a match for your financial situation and goals. Moving into a tiny house is a big decision, but it is one that can pay off in spades when you are able to start living in one of these beautiful and peaceful communities.