RV park life, is it affordable for low income?

[user 37446]

If I were wanting/needing to live in a city this would be an option I would explore:
https://vanlivingforum.com/threads/safe-place-to-park-job-sort-of.48769/

Yes I had read that, definitely a possibility as long as you don't mind being a bit tied down.

 

[user 37446]

Been perusing some “farther away” types of rv parks, those not in touristy areas. Rates are definitely lower ($20-25 a night although I didn’t see monthly rates published) yet I’ve seen this type of language in more than one’s published rules.
Here’s an example from a lessor known rv park in Alabama:
(Begin excerpt)
“CAMPSITE OCCUPANCY
1. Only one camping unit per site will be allowed (no doubling up) and only two vehicles per site allowed. Only two car passes per campsite will
be issued. NO EXCEPTIONS!
2. Only authorized camping units, RV’s, Motor homes, Camping trailers, Pop-ups and manufactured regulated sleep tents will be allowed to set up for camping…”
(End of copied portion)

Seems like this puts into question if a cargo van (DYI) conversion would be accepted. Or am I being too uhh, questioning?

Here’s another regional park bit of info. If you read the description, you will see the rate is less than $600 a month. Very little amenities and located in a partially run down mh park but still a reasonable place. Date of review May 2023:

“This is a mobile home park with some RV spots. As such there are no bath houses, picnic tables on the site and laundry facilities are offsite. Rate is 581 a month plus electric. This community is in an industrial area of Birmingham and you are 15-20 minutes from shopping. Our spot backs right up to a busy road that makes it noisy. Not nonstop, but if you are sensitive it is something to consider. There is a mixture of maintained and rundown mobile homes but, at least in our section, we feel secure. Our site is large for our 40' DP plus Jeep and has full 50 amp hookups. If you are looking for a basic place to park and don't need amenities this would be ... (End of available except unless registering)

 

[rruff]

Been perusing some “farther away” types of rv parks, those not in touristy areas.

Check this one out. It's the sort of thing any enterprising person could do. Buy remote land next to public land with no restrictions, build a cheap RV park on it.

Prices might be higher now, but as I recall yearly fees for dry camping were ~$1k. It's at 3,800ft in S AZ too, so mild climate all year.

http://www.caballolocoranch.com/

 

[RonDean]

Check this one out. It's the sort of thing any enterprising person could do. Buy remote land next to public land with no restrictions, build a cheap RV park on it.

Prices might be higher now, but as I recall yearly fees for dry camping were ~$1k. It's at 3,800ft in S AZ too, so mild climate all year.

http://www.caballolocoranch.com/

That looks like the one Bob did a video on. I followed the link and could not find anything in the way of a price listed at this link. That really irritates me! Do these people think that if they don't list prices on their web sites that we will be more likely to respond? For me it makes me ask what are they hiding - and why?

 

[wayne49]

Caballo Loco Ranch is where Bullfrog hangs out in the Winter. He has posted reviews of the good, bad, and ugly about it. It is not a typical RV park. AC power comes from a diesel generator only during certain hours.

They use to post prices, over a year ago they stopped. It might depend on where they can shoe horn you in at this point in time.

Coyote Howls has two sites in Why, AZ, south of Ajo. CH East is dispersed camping sites with no services, just like BLM, but you pay rent and can stay long term without a ranger knock. Basically a privately owned LTVA. CH West is a traditional RV park.

 

[bullfrog !]

This year Caballo Loco was $1,200 for a boondocking site. It is a special kind of place but we are only there a few winter months and use our lot in summer for a place to get away for a few days and storage. We have a 10’x10’ shed. a 25’ camping trailer as well as a vehicle occasionally. It is a community effort type place.

 

[SteveSF]

With this level of debt the last thing you need is to buy an RV and get even deeper in debt.

There is an old saying: If you find yourself waist-deep in a hole, STOP DIGGING!

What course of study consumed most of that $70k? Whatever it was, can you make a living with it?

If not, maybe you should look into something that will actually produce an income in the near term. You mentioned Amarillo.

Amarillo has a well-respected truck driving school that is associated with Amarillo College. It is NOT a CDL-mill.

Cost for the course is around $6000 and they have dorms on campus, and assuming after 8 weeks and successful completion you might be able to hit the road full time for a few years, pay off your debts, gain life experience as well as see the country and get paid for it, and not even need a residence of your own.

With some OTR jobs you can live full time in your assigned unit and have almost zero housing expenses...or maybe the occasional night in a motel.

Today's experienced OTR company drivers can make between $40k and $120K a year...the first year you can expect to make at minimum around $30K after you have paid off your tuition, and from then on your income will only go up.

At any rate, we would like to see you stop floundering in this pool of despair and formulate a plan.

Good luck!

I was going to do Van Life but went the OTR route as a company driver. Good so far.

 

[user 37446]

I was going to do Van Life but went the OTR route as a company driver. Good so far.

If a person can do it (ability to get a CDL, health etc) that’s a really good way to get into the nomadic life (if the company allows you to stay in the rig) on someone else's “dime”. Sure would teach you fast how to be a minimalist, how to use power on the road (well, 24v always driving power) and the like.

 

[maki2]

I have been to Coyote Howls. The BLM LTVA areas are a better option. Coyote Howls is hours away from any reasonably priced grocery stores. The rent is cheap but that does not mean living there is cheap. Plus there is nothing in that spot in Why but a gas station with a small selection of foods plus some beer and wine. There is an IGA grocery store in Ajo but the prices are very high. High because it is the only store with groceries out that direction other than Dollar General and a long drive off HWY 8 for trucks to get to it. So the supply chain cost is very high for that store.

 

[rruff]

Coyote Howls is hours away from any reasonably priced grocery stores.

Over 90 miles to Maricopa, yep. Need a big fridge and stock up!

 

[bullfrog !]

Living in remote areas is a skill which requires one to learn to live simply without utilities and limited resources. It isn’t possible or acceptable living for many people. It is now with things like Starlink to be able to receive online deliveries in nearby locations but yes prices can be higher. We couldn’t do it without utilities. Seasonal work in remote locations in our case is provided by our employer and by saving those earnings we are able to afford to be our own utility company in the off seasons as we like living in remote locations. Living in a town with its resources could be cheaper if we could stand it. Our dependence on gasoline for transportation is definitely a limiting factor as we age and need more medical treatment.

 

[user 37446]

Definitely agree with what you said.
Everyone (well there‘s probably some person, always an exception) depends on some type of fuel, or the grid, a company who could provide and/or deliver items, someone else to grow/make the food we eat… always dependent on someone.

We can try to limit our dependence on the current economic system, as you seem to be doing, or what I hope to do which is the “…living in a town with its resources…”.

 

[rruff]

what I hope to do which is the “…living in a town with its resources…”.

How, exactly?

 

[wayne49]

Find a town that has the resources that you need, and stay near there.

 

[bullfrog !]

It is going to vary for every individual and depend on the community around you. Being able to move and adapt to the situation is key to your success. Living simply allows you to do those things with much less difficulty. It also should allow you to build up an emergency fund/savings. Becoming stationary and dependent in situations you can’t somewhat control is what makes life difficult. Staying healthy and continuing to work till you can feel you have options is key. I still look for ways to make money at 72 years old even though I could have stopped working at 53 years old mainly because I don’t want to depend on just one source of income and want more options. I have been fortunate to always find a job that I am able to do or at least an employer that is desperate enough to hire me. I don’t need benefits as I have Social Security and Medicare and I have my own housing so basically all I need is a place to park and utilities. Employing me is an easy choice in most cases.

 

[user 37446]

How, exactly?

The large town I live just outside of has the resources I would need To make things easier. City/county library, gym, grocery stores, medical and plenty places to overnight park in. If I was a lot farther out in the county Id not drive into town to take advantage of those things.

One of the few advantages of being out east as opposed to Az BLM land.

 

[bullfrog !]

Many Arizona towns have BLM land within 20 miles or so the big problem is just how big and spread out they are! The hospital may be a 45 minutes or more drive from the library which may be 45 minutes from BLM land. You could use a lot of time and fuel just getting around. In Eastern Kentucky I could go from library to hospital to my worksite camp in less than 10 minutes and do so by walking! Not so quick in winter snow though! Lol!!! Like I said before it just depends on you and what makes you happy! I like Arizona weather for sure!

 

[user 22017]

Becoming stationary and dependent in situations you can’t somewhat control is what makes life difficult. Staying healthy and continuing to work till you can feel you have options is key. I still look for ways to make money at 72 years old even though I could have stopped working at 53 years old ...

Assuming you have your emergency fund, know how to find dispersed camping or free camping, and are equipped with all the necessities (vehicle, sleeping, cooking, pooping, entertainment, etc.) what options are you referring to?

 

[user 37446]

Perhaps he means the option(s) to be able to leave the wage slave life.

As my spouse isn’t interested in anything mobile, my first responsibility is to her. If I lose her then I will have the “option” as well.

 

[RonDean]

Find a town that has the resources that you need, and stay near there.

Hmmm... Gets me thinking.

1. I only eat plants and fish. They could certainly be found is many rural areas.
2. Use it up and wear it out works for most of my stuff. So, less need to truck in more stuff.
3. I'm set up with solar and batteries and electronic entertainment.

Yup! If there's clean air and water, I think I could do with a nice cheap little spot somewhere.