Well, we have jumped in with both feet. We made a decision to buy the camper and go that route.
We actually bought a fifth wheel. It has a whole lot more room in it for us and the pets. The dealership we bought it from will deliver it where ever we want (within reason of course) for free. I talked to a friend of mine last night to see if she would care if we parked it there for now. She said no problem and it will not cost us anything. Of course, we will still pay her something as we don't feel it's right to park the beast in her driveway or yard for nothing. Although, she did ask that we leave a key so when she needs to get away from her daughter or grand daughter for a few minutes, she can go have some peace and quiet. I said sure thing.
Part of the reason we made this decision instead of buying a house right away was the campground that we went to for the memorial on Sunday. We met quite a few of the people that live there year round and were quite impressed with them. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly despite the occasion. We also found out that the campground owners and our friend's fellow year rounders put the memorial on for our friend. The campground gave use of one of the pavilions and provided the meat for the dinner that we had. His neighbors are the ones who put everything else together. They cleaned the pavilion, set up the tables and candles, set up the video and picture memorial and music, and anything that needed purchased they all pitched in and bought it. All the folks that came to the memorial, including us, brought side dishes. It really helped restore some faith in people to see them come together like that to help ease someone's pain.
As we drove around the campground people actually waved. I realize that in a campground one would expect that. That being said, I have seen a lot less southern hospitality since I moved down here than I thought I would. In our trailer park, no one waves at each other. Not that we care as we don't want to associate with the kind of people that live here anyway.
At this campground, we met a woman who is a horticulturist (retired), a man who is a professional fisher (as in competitions- not a hobby fisher), and several folks who are retired from various walks of life like mechanics and truck driving. One guy even gave us his number to call if our friend gets back to work and breaks down emotionally while he is out somewhere in the truck. He said he would go to him no matter where he was or how far away. To us, those are the kinds of neighbors you want.
We might have another option for this as well. The friend that is letting us park the camper at her house for the time being is up for a discussion about maybe staying on her property until we are ready to buy. There would obviously be a lot of details that we would have to talk about and work out and it may not be something that all of us want to do. We'll see.
I do, however, think that staying at the campground would be a better bet for us expense-wise. All we would need to do there is hook up so to speak. If we stay in my friend's yard, there would be a shit ton of things that would cost us to get set up. I am not sure that we would save any money taking that route. More discussions and options. :) It does feel as if things are falling into place for us now that we have made the decision. The price was right, a "free" spot to park it until we are ready to move it, a son-in-law that can move it when we need to, a place we both really felt comfortable at. Maybe I'm just being crazy, but I swear even the music on the radio today seemed like it was supporting our decision!
We will just take each of our next steps as they come and it will all work out for us in the end. Also, I will be getting out of dodge! Or at least this dodgy trailer park!! I'll have to become preppin in a campground!
How many feet is the 5th wheel? Does it have slide outs? Is it new? If used have the salesman and the service man go over the trailer to verify everything in it works, too many times you are getting someone else problem child. I have had all kinds of campers and 5th wheel in my life and know a lot how they operate and how sales places are not your friend when ya go to buy one and especially if you are a newby to it. Are you considering buying an older truck to be able to tow it your self? You may to do that one day and no one is available. Look into local zoning laws where your friend is allowing you to store it. You may not able to live in it while on her property except short term. Friends and relatives are fine for visiting for three days, but like fish they need to be thrown out... It is stressful living with someone on their property long term. Just a heads up, your mileage may vary. Take it from someone who knows, I have been there. Finding a cool campground and such friendly neighbors and a good manager/owner make it worthwhile. when I move south after this winter I may even ask you where the campground is... Good luck and may you have a smooth road ahead.
ReplyDeleteThe 5th wheel is a 40 ft used model. The place that we bought it from will do a full detail, full inspection making sure everything works, fill the propane tanks, and replace batteries if they will not hold a charge. The camper when we looked at it had not been cleaned or detailed yet, it was a trade in and they just parked it on the lot. That being said, it was immaculate and everything looked brand new. My husband has owned a camper before and knows what he is doing even though I am a newbie at it. The place that we bought the camper from has an A+ business rating. It is a small family owned business and from all the people we know that have bought a camper from them, they are all very pleased. That is why we chose to work with them.
DeleteWe will buy a truck down the road to pull it with, but are not concerned with that part right now. The dealer will deliver to the first stop, and the son-in-law will move it to the next one. After that, we will have plenty of time to find the truck that we want.
As far as staying with the friend on her property, that is something that my husband and I had considered and talked about. That is also why we are just in the maybe discuss it stage. We both feel that the campground will be the better option, financially and emotionally. Plus, the campground is located in a county that we are considering buying land in and that will allow us to be there and get to know some local folks before jumping off into that journey.
I do appreciate the feedback, though. While this may be a new journey for us, it most certainly is not a new journey for everyone. Any and all advice is welcome.
That is a long one, you will have some room! Great that your husband has experience, too many times I have seen newbies get a trailer especially a used one and get frustrated and overwhelmed with all you need to do, they sometimes don't realize yeah you flush the toilet, but ya gotta dump the tank sometimes and some people are not prepared for the smell, and gross out of dumping and that's not even if your hose separates and ya got a mess. They are not prepared for all the maintenance involved, I tell them, your house doesn't go down the freeway at 70mph... and hit potholes. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteGoing with your gut and your heart is a good thing. I think the fact that things are falling into place shows that this is the right move for you!
ReplyDeleteEventually looking for your own piece of land where you could eventually park the trailer is good idea, but if you do that be careful and check out the rules and regulations carefully before you buy. I once bought a piece of land super cheap because the previous owners thought they could park a trailer on it and the town wouldn't let them. They couldn't afford the property taxes and had to unload it cheap.
DeleteWe have seen some of the properties that are restricted and some that are not. Hopefully, when we do find what we are looking for it is unrestricted. I am guessing that is why some of the places online that we saw for sale cheap was for similar reasons.
DeleteNow that you have made your decision, are you setting up your mobile home for sale or are going to abandon it? Do you have a timeline with moving into your 5th wheel? Where the RV park is, is it close to you and your husband's work? I know questions, if it is NOYB then tell me and I will refrain from asking those kinds of questions. The RV park you described is a place I would be interested in living, I like quiet, older people parks,, I don't party and carry on and just enjoy a slow pace and no problems with neighbors.
ReplyDeleteWe would have sold it, not abandon it. As far as timeline, well, I have a new post for that. The RV park is closer to my husbands work, but farther from mine. I am about a 10 minute drive from my work right now. And not none-ya! And when you are ready to head this way, it sounds like if there is an opening, that RV park would be right up your alley!
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