Most Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials share a lot of things including certain music, certain food, work ethics, and types of homes but Gen Z is the most disengaged group at work, at play, and in housing. They also report more overall stress and work-related burnout than other cohorts.
According to a Cigna study, 39% say worries about money are a major cause of their stress. In addition, in a study by DailyPay and Harris Poll, 48% say they are unable to move out of their parent’s homes due to financial challenges, and 33% are concerned inflation will make it tough for them to buy a home.
Small home life is more than just a trend for many Gen Zers who are adopting a simpler, minimalistic lifestyle, and having a tiny home is a great way to make that happen. While many people want to stereotype Gen Z and assume they’re “spoiled” with technology, the rise in tiny home popularity suggests otherwise.
Park models, tiny houses, and smaller homes are typically more affordable than traditional homes. This is a major concern for many Gen Zers who are facing high living costs. Thes homes are often more sustainable than traditional homes. This is important to many Gen Zers who are concerned about the environment.
They are drawn to the idea of living in a smaller space with fewer possessions. This can help them reduce stress and simplify their lives. Many park model and tiny house communities offer amenities and activities that can help Gen Zers connect with others and build community. This is important to a generation that values relationships and social connection.
The affordability, flexibility, sustainability, minimalism, and sense of community offered by these homes make them a potential option for many Gen Zers who are looking for a place to call home.
Research has shown that Gen Z tends to be conservative with their spending habits. So, it isn’t just the home itself that can help them save money, but the entire scope of minimal living.
Small homes promote minimalism, which can help to reduce the amount of waste the average person produces. However, many of them go well beyond that in terms of sustainability. Some of the biggest environmental benefits of tiny home living include fewer maintenance issues, easier usage of energy alternatives, including solar panels which means affordable energy costs to heat and cool as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the biggest reasons Gen Zers have taken to living small in tiny houses, Park Models, small homes and even in Vans is the number of Gen Z social influencers promoting this lifestyle. Because living small is becoming so popular, people in younger generations are looking for inspiration. They want to know the best ways to live small, to know how to cut back on waste and energy use and how to decorate and design their space on a budget.
Marketing Tip!
If you are a factory building tiny houses, Park Models, and small homes, you need to learn who the top living small influencers are and begin courting them to mention your product on their social media sites.
The bigger the influencer, the more it may cost you to have them mention your company.
Other opportunities to help fuel Gen Z’s living small appetite include building tiny home communities, and offering a service for homeowners that matches a Gen Z with a small home with your rental lot(s).
Overall, whether or not Gen Z will want to live in a park model, tiny house, or smaller home is a matter of personal preference. However, the affordability, flexibility, sustainability, minimalism, and sense of community offered by these homes make them a potential option for many Gen Zers who are looking for a place to call home.
