RV park life, is it affordable for low income?

[rruff]

I'm in rural IL atm. I've thought that you can pretty much do whatever you like outside the city limits, and my cousin assures me that this is the case. I mean... it's legal to have all manner of livestock on rural land, and it's kinda hard to outdo something like a hogfarm in the neighborly annoyance category. Buy a couple acres tucked back in the trees somewhere, and nobody will care what you do. Wooded land is ~$5-10k/acre I'm told. Farm land is a bit more.

Plenty of water, no need to irrigate for most crops. Easy wells.
Electric.
Paved roads.
Never far from a viable town for supplies.
Humid and kinda hot and buggy in summer.
Dreary cold winters.
Here the highs are high 80s in July, high 30s in Jan.

Might appeal to somebody. I suspect much of the midwest is like this. TN and KY might be nicer, especially if you look at higher elevation.

 

[towboater]

Hmm, I’m 0/2 here so far, how about Missouri for the win! This one actually looks nice, says no restrictions or building codes. Maybe a tornado or two but you could dig a bunker. Lots of photos!

https://ap.rdcpix.com/0b4a667cb37abc221338d4b9992e3242l-m2657175780od-w480_h360_x2.webp
For Sale

$16,000​

$9K
Est.

• 3acre lot

11-0 001 County Road 329, Dora, MO 65637​

• Property type
  Land
• Time on Realtor.com
  28 days

• Property details​

  This property in Ozark County, Missouri has plenty to offer! With its tranquil 3-acre tract m/l, significant frontage, and easy access along two county roads, this location seems quiet, secluded, and traffic-free. What's even better is that there are no building or livestock restrictions, and electricity is nearby, making it an ideal location for those looking to pull up a camper, homestead or build their dream home. Furthermore, the region's natural beauty offers a wide variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including world-class fishing and recreational opportunities at Norfork and Bull Shoals Lakes. Nature lovers will be thrilled with the North Fork of the White River, Mark Twain National Forest-North Fork Recreation Region, and Devil's Backbone Wilderness, which offer hiking, birding, and hunting adventures.

Probably a yes. I live about 60 miles from there. Only problem is maybe a few methheads and if u build anything permanent and leave for an extended period your copper wiring may be gone along with anything like chain saws etc. Depending on just how isolated from neighbors and such whether it would b a target of opportunity.
Best wishes

 

[user 37446]

That’s the sad part about getting property in a semi-remote area, you leave on a trip when you come back, you’ve been “visited”.
That’s one of the reasons I wonder about my desire for an acre or two.
I figured on getting a utility shed on it, improving the shed to live in it etc. unfortunately it then becomes a target.

 

[RonDean]

And relocated the tribes without regard for lands they had lived on prior, causing battles between the tribes.

"We're here from the US government to help you."

Personally, I would amend that quote to something like "We're here from the Great White Father" and we want to help you poor stupid minorities live a better life. That covers the sexist, racist, capitalist, greedy folks that promoted slavery and genocide of all American minorities back then. Not saying we are doing so well now. But, better than then? Yah!

And certainly better in some US areas than others. So, I think I'll avoid Jackson and a few other areas as well.

 

[Morgana]

oh come on let's not all pile on Jackson! it has buckets of museums and live music venues and a river with camping and a petrified forest and it's supposed to be the most walkable city in Mississippi.
Just bring plenty of water.

(I've never been there, but I've been to Clarksdale (farther north) and Port Gibson (farther south) and I liked those. Port Gibson has an awesome quilting gallery -- a church with a bizarre golden hand at the top of the steeple (I don't know why! to me it looks kind of like giving God the finger) -- and the ruins of a plantation that survived the Civil War only to get inadvertently burned down by a house guest in 1890. Clarksdale has music. I was there during the Juke Joint Festival and there were visitors from all over the world; I've always wanted to go back during a non-festival time.)

Nevada Barr, an ex park ranger who writes mysteries set in national parks, has one set on the Natchez Trace somewhere. Ace Atkins has a whole series set in a fictional hardscrabble Mississippi county.

Just saying, stay open to possibilities. I won't lie, I'm glad I don't have to deal with Mississippi weather or Jackson tapwater or the flat terrain. But like the Indigo Girls said, it's all sacred ground. And the tighter your budget, the more it helps to be easily amused. There's no danger of an asshat shortage anywhere. And you can find good people and good times almost anywhere if you look.

 

[dhuff]

I'm in rural IL atm. I've thought that you can pretty much do whatever you like outside the city limits, and my cousin assures me that this is the case. I mean... it's legal to have all manner of livestock on rural land, and it's kinda hard to outdo something like a hogfarm in the neighborly annoyance category. Buy a couple acres tucked back in the trees somewhere, and nobody will care what you do. Wooded land is ~$5-10k/acre I'm told. Farm land is a bit more.

Plenty of water, no need to irrigate for most crops. Easy wells.
Electric.
Paved roads.
Never far from a viable town for supplies.
Humid and kinda hot and buggy in summer.
Dreary cold winters.
Here the highs are high 80s in July, high 30s in Jan.

Might appeal to somebody. I suspect much of the midwest is like this. TN and KY might be nicer, especially if you look at higher elevation.

Lived in rural Illinois for five years when I was a teenager. "Dreary, cold Winters" is an understatement. And yeah, Summer is hot and muggy. Worst climate I ever lived in. I'd take Colorado or New Mexico Winters anytime. Colder ? Yeah, sometimes. But once it snows the clouds generally go away and the Sun shines. And the dry air makes Summer not quite so bad.

 

[rruff]

^^^^ You don't have to convince me! I live in NM now... IL was just where I grew up. There are some positives that would be hard to find in the SW, but I have no desire to move back. For people worrying about crime, or someone stripping your place when you are gone, there is little chance of that. in this part of IL... but you need to make friends with the locals, and help them out on occasion, be a good neighbor, etc. Oh and... you will get invited to church.

 

[user 37446]

Probably for a vandweller, if a home base is wanted those less expensive midwest or southern counties work. Just don't invest too much in it and leave the area when the weather is questionable.

I’ve seen several YT’s that have been going for years who seem to be finding home base places, I suppose the constant wandering gets old.

 

[jacqueg]

Probably for a vandweller, if a home base is wanted those less expensive midwest or southern counties work. Just don't invest too much in it and leave the area when the weather is questionable.

I’ve seen several YT’s that have been going for years who seem to be finding home base places, I suppose the constant wandering gets old.

The wandering doesn't get old, at least for me.

But I have to admit, as TPTB are clamping down on wanderers, a place where I have the unquestionable to be starts to look pretty good.

 

[user 37446]

Heres a NM property. Looks like it has power and an old camp trailer, nothing ellse:
For Sale

$10,000​

• 2.5acre lot

42 45 46 Santa California, Abiquiu, NM 87510​

• Property type
  Land
• Time on Realtor.com
  5 days

• Property overview​

  Views, views, views and true New Mexico scenery - rock cliffs. Make these 3 beautiful lots your own. There is a flat area that could be buildable or just camp out on weekends and explore. There is electricity nearby. The mobile home could be removed or you could restore it.
• https://ap.rdcpix.com/ec75f937aeb658603edc59406eec4a5fl-m20382272od-w1024_h768_x2.webp

 

[user 37446]

Heres another pretty NM one but its been for sale for 350 days, that’s a caution flag…
For Sale

$18,000​

• 6.98acre lot

Mountain Vw, Pie Town, NM 87827​

• Property type
  Land
• Time on Realtor.com
  350 days

• Property details​

  This almost 7 acres lot has a little bit of everything! Pinon pine and juniper trees, a rocky ridge with great views, a meadow, great building sites, and a 10X20 shed. Electricity has been installed onsite with transformer and meter. Located in the Blue Hills area. Very quiet and peaceful. LOA for road maintenance. Priced to sell!!! New Mexico West Properties will never pay any listing website for your personal information. Contact us directly for the quickest response and get a broker that knows this area inside and out.
• https://ap.rdcpix.com/8226b121f532a6809a23550fb16a3f5el-m1093583839od-w1024_h768_x2.webp

 

[user 37446]

Just finding interesting places. This NM one looked good till I saw picture #2, it looks like it is located in a draw or dry river bed. Click on the “flood” map and you will see what will happen in wet times. Of course the overhead picture of the place should give one pause. Anyway:
For Sale

$10,000​

• 22.96acre lot

Coyote Bluff Rd Lot 254, San Antonio, NM 87832​

• Property type
  Land
• Time on Realtor.com
  105 days
• HOA Fees
  $16/mo

• Property details​

  This land is surrounded by magnificent mountains and is rich in natural wonders that are very suitable to those who are looking for some thrill and adventure with nature and in the great outdoors!
  https://ap.rdcpix.com/d07aaf129b5903f31a43946d58cdc4c3l-m243873152od-w480_h360_x2.webp
  
  https://ap.rdcpix.com/d07aaf129b5903f31a43946d58cdc4c3l-m1862773450od-w1024_h768_x2.webp

 

[user 22017]

The whole town had a terrible stench to it.

Jackson has been struggling for years with water issues. I think the city got ripped off by Siemens, who they contracted with in 2013 to overhaul the water and sewer infrastructure.

 

[user 37446]

You are correct. From NPR.org:
(Begin quote from article)
“At the root of the challenges in Jackson are decades of underinvestment in a sprawling water system made up of roughly 1,500 miles of water mains, some of which are over 100 years old. In 2013, the city sought to overhaul the system through a $90 million contract with Siemens to upgrade sewer lines, water-treatment plants and to install a new water-sewer billing system for residents.

But the deal brought myriad new issues for the city, including the installation of faulty water meters that measured water use in gallons instead of cubic feet. In the years following the installation, some residents received exorbitant bills for months of water use at a time, while others weren't billed at all. At one point, city officials advised residents to simply pay what they thought they owed, but unpaid bills would eventually strain Jackson's ability to address the system. The city ultimately sued Siemens and several local subcontractors for $450 million in damages, reaching an $89.8 million settlement in 2020…

”…Mayor Lumumba has estimated that modernizing the city's infrastructure could cost as much as $2 billion. Mississippi received $75 million from the federal infrastructure bill signed by President Biden last year for water and sewage needs, but that money is for the entire state, not Jackson alone.”
(End of copied portion)

So how did a city end up needing 2 billion to fix just the water system? Its not just Siemens, it must have been decades and decades of mismanagement. Not making any judgements on politics, just that it seems municipalities sure have a hard time being competently run.

Edit- Here is a statement from Jacksons mayor:
Reference www.abcnews.com

Water problems in Jackson, Mississippi, go deeper than pipes, experts say​

In August, historic flooding damaged a major pump at O.B. Curtis Water Plant.
ByTeddy Grant
September 21, 2022, 6:00 AM

How did Jackson get here​

“While water pressure did return to Jackson about a week after the shortage, the city's mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba, at a press conference earlier this month, attributed the crisis to staffing shortages, system issues and multiple equipment failures.

"This is due to decades, decades and decades, of possibly 30 years or more of deferred maintenance, a lack of capital improvements made to the system, a lack of a human capital, a workforce plan that accounted for the challenges that our water treatment facility suffers from," Lumumba told "ABC News Prime" last month…”

 

[Gr8ful]

I never knew why & didn't stay long after finding the plane was nowhere as it was advertised. Pilots are usually very honest people & the seller was head of the hospital aircare helicopter but took pics not showing or mentioning any damage. I drove round trip without sleeping. I feel bad for the people who have to live there after finding out the issues.

 

[rruff]

I’ve seen several YT’s that have been going for years who seem to be finding home base places, I suppose the constant wandering gets old.

I bet the homebase will get old too... It's not easy to find a viable place with a year round good climate, and neither is it easy to find a place that doesn't have all the negative aspects of a permanent abode. Knowing yourself, is key... and being easy to please helps too!

I'm hoping that the wanderers scale back to those who really enjoy the life, and will get the most value from it.

 

[rruff]

Lived in rural Illinois for five years when I was a teenager. "Dreary, cold Winters" is an understatement. And yeah, Summer is hot and muggy. Worst climate I ever lived in.

Worst climate I've lived in also... but I've been pretty picky about climate since I've had a say in the matter. IL is definitely not the worst climate in the US though, and I'd say it's pretty typical. It's less dreary and cold in the winter than the more northern states, and not as muggy and hot in summer as the southern.

Speaking of dreary winters, the NW has everyone beat (excluding Alaska I guess), but it isn't as cold near the coast. The SW has the sunniest winters, and if you go up in elevation and stay as far south as you can get, you'll have a mild year-round climate... ~30 deg swings from summer to winter averages. 90-60 for instance, or 80-50. Caballo Loco that was mentioned earlier is at ~4k ft, and should see about a 95-65 swing, or maybe a little cooler.

In Bob's video of the land he bought near Vail AZ, he mentioned Apache county (around St Johns, Concho) as being a place where you could do whatever you like, but it's a little cold in winter. Cochise county (SE corner of AZ) has a long history of of being DIY friendly, but they've been getting more restrictive. I've heard Greenlee county (east side above Cochise) doesn't bother with codes at all.

 

[maki2]

Where Bob bought land is very hot in summer and cold in winter. The summer has lots of lightning storms. The fire bans are already in place. No tall trees there for shade and lots of wind. It is a long drive to find reasonably priced groceries or gas and water has to be hauled in. All the roads into that cheap land are badly rutted with no county or state maintenance. It is up to the property owners who share the road to get them regraded. As many of the owners are only there part time they roads are unlikely to get graded unless one of the property owners has that kind of equipment.

It is not paradise but putting a steel, rodent proof, cargo container on the land for storage makes the option of buying a place and paying it off over time cheaper than paying years of storage fees near a town. Lighting rod installation highly recommended. I have a friend out there whose converted wood “storage shed converted to Tiny House” got hit by a bolt. Fortunately it just put a hole through the wall and scorched the inside of that wall instead of burning it down. Also fortunate that they were not home at the time. Remember there is no well water to put out fires in those remote locations.

 

[user 37446]

I bet the homebase will get old too... It's not easy to find a viable place with a year round good climate, and neither is it easy to find a place that doesn't have all the negative aspects of a permanent abode. Knowing yourself, is key... and being easy to please helps too!

I'm hoping that the wanderers scale back to those who really enjoy the life, and will get the most value from it.

For me, a homebase would be for some months of the year, if it is in the south then leave in the summer, if it is in the north then leave in the winter.
Having a place to stay without getting kicked off would be nice. Several of the places I listed above would work for some parts of the year (well, the Wyoming property would be less desirable).

The hardest part for me would be to not try and improve the place. Maybe staying in a tent would be enough, though a shed would be better.

Unfortunately a shed, travel trailer, any kind of structure would be asking for trouble.

If anyone is benefiting from these random property searches I will look some more. If not then I will just let it go. Not like I am able to go find anything anyway.

 

[rruff]

Where Bob bought land is very hot in summer and cold in winter.

Avg highs of 46 in Jan (and sunny!), and 88 in July. Compared to most of the country, that would be quite pleasant. In fact any place further north in latitude and away from the coast will have more extreme swings between summer and winter.

For me, a homebase would be for some months of the year, if it is in the south then leave in the summer, if it is in the north then leave in the winter.

That makes it easier than trying to find a place that is decent all year... but I keep coming back to... what is the homebase for? There is no shortage of good camping spots if you roam all year, with ideal climates.