Finding a place to park—and truly live—in a tiny house is one of the biggest challenges for anyone starting this journey. That’s exactly what Ryan from The Tiny Life and I sat down to talk about in this recent interview.
In the video, I share my own story of building a DIY tiny house in 2015 and finally finding a long-term parking spot in Maryland. Out of those struggles, I created SearchTinyHouseVillages.com, a directory designed to help others discover parking spots, intentional communities, RV-friendly parks, and tiny-friendly villages all over the country.
What We Cover in the Interview
Ryan and I dive into some of the most important topics facing tiny house dwellers today:
- The hunt for parking: From my early “creepy voicemail” days of asking strangers to how much easier it’s become today with growing awareness.
- Family and legal considerations: How tiny living intersects with kids, school districts, and local zoning laws—and why homeschooling or legal-friendly land can sometimes make all the difference.
- Intentional communities: What they are, how they function, and why they can be such a powerful option for tiny house dwellers. I share insights from my own time living on a farm and attending the Communities Conference in Virginia.
- Shared resources & amenities: How communal kitchens, workshops, guest rooms, and even tools can expand what’s possible in tiny living.
- Community dynamics: From decision-making and conflict resolution to trial memberships and the evolving “flavor” of a community as new members join.
- Design and layout: Why circular or pod-style communities foster connection more effectively than traditional RV-park layouts.
Why This Matters
When I first started out, tiny house living felt isolating and uncertain. Legal parking was scarce, zoning departments had little awareness, and families like mine had to navigate complicated trade-offs.
Today, things are changing. Cities and counties are more educated, people are more open to hosting tiny homes, and communities are growing in exciting new ways. Whether you’re looking for backyard parking, dreaming of a village, or considering intentional community living, you have more options than ever before.
Watch the Full Conversation
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
I’d love to hear from you:
- Did any of these insights resonate with your own tiny house journey?
- Have you found creative ways to secure parking or community living?
- What questions do you still have about finding a place for your tiny home?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below—I’d love for this space to be a resource where we can learn from each other’s experiences.
