A fast-growing community is accommodating residents in their own homes for less than $20,000.

A retired software developer went mortgage-free by moving into a "Hobbit" style dwelling where most residents are single women over the age of 45.

'Family from 170 total strangers'

The author moved to the community after realizing she could afford to buy a home.

In 2020, the 65-year-old spent $25,000 on a "Hobbit" style home, and another $10,000 on renovations and three years of ground rent to live in the community. The home was designed by Incredible Tiny Home, which made some changes to the property at Runyon's request.

The home is made of wood and has a door similar to the one in the movie. The sleeping area is elevated and accessible by ladder.

An insurer said that the property was worth more than $50,000. Runyon has been able to take advantage of other benefits from living tiny.

Runyon says she was not ahugger before moving to the enclave. She found it easier to be intimate after setting up a support group for tiny home dwellers.

Runyon will eat breakfast with other residents on Sundays. She said other helped her get over her friend's death.

Pot luck dinners and horseshoes are hosted by the village.

Runyon said he was amazed at the level of family he could find.

Runyon is one of the people who can go debt-free by living in low-cost dwellings. A lot in the village costs $200 a month for residents.

"Nomadland" is a film about older Americans who lived nomadic lifestyles in vans or RV after losing their homes.

Tiny house community
Tiny home community "The Beach" is outside Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tiny House Giant Journey

Americans are finding new ways to live with rising housing costs and mortgage rates. One person told Insider that she sold her van to live out of her car.

People can stay put and build connections in this village.

Incredible Tiny Homes

A tiny home community built by Randy Jones has grown into a village of more than 170 people. He makes a lot of tiny homes.

Retirees love the community. Most of the residents are single women over 45. Some are married and some are divorced.

They're mostly alone in an apartment or a big house that they can't maintain. The community with Jones has a tiny house.

They are going to the stores with each other. They are going on hikes with each other. They need this community and they love it.