RV Life ????s

[Redmanfms]

This may not be the proper forum for this, but here goes:

I'm back in school and I'm looking at going to another 2-3 years at another school away from home and I'm looking at all the options out there for housing. I want to go with the cheapest option that does have me living in a demilitarized zone or stuck with a roommate from Hell.

I actually know a couple people who've lived in a "van down by the river" while going through school (or rough financial times) and lived pretty well on almost nothing besides the initial investment in a trailer or RV.

I've seen some great bus conversions that are in the realm of reason and was wondering what I should look for, what the life is like, what kind of costs I'm looking at, financing, maintenance issues, etc, etc, etc. Whatever comes to mind, all inputs encouraged.

[HES]

Depends on what sort of RV housing you are looking for. You could look at a pop up, travel trailer, 5th wheel, or an RV or converted bus. You are a college student so you can strike the 5th wheel, RV, and bus. You wont be able to afford them. Of the two remaining choices I would go with a travel trailer, but you will also need to own a full sized truck to pull it. Then you will have to deal with lot rent at a camp ground. Oh and there will be fees for electrical hook up, water, and waste disposal. For that last one you will have to tow your trailer to the pump station. RVs usually have a life span of 15 years or so.

Honestly, ditch the idea and find a nice trailer park or someone with a trailer they want to rent. Rent a single wide and you will be set.

[usmcvet]

What is your budget?

[GTifosi]

VW vanagon might be of interest.
Granted they haven't made them in a while, but there's many still around in various stages of upkeep.

You get the pop top cap if needed to sleep 2 up above, stove (self contained propane tank under chassis) sink (self contained water tank under chassis and external hookup, hot water kit) refridgerator (propane, external electrical outlet, block of ice) room to sleep 2 w/o popping the top, removeable dining table, rotating driver and passenger seat, big hatch, big side door.

Readily available parts on the air cooled VW powerplant (1.6L IIRC) and depending on model year, carburetted or Bosch K-jetronic EFI. (were it a survival thing, I'd opt for the carb'd onnaconna even if dicked up they can be made to run an engine, but once one part of EFI fails you're walking)

[usmcvet]

Unless you have a place to park you are going to have a HUGE ass ache.

[rjacobs]

I lived in an Air Stream for almost a year and it was great. However, I lived cheaper in college in a real house with a few other people I was friends with.

Now this doesnt include the payment on the trailer and I had mine at a fairly nice RV park, but this is what it cost me for a monthly arrangement:
rent(included water, sewer, trash and cable) was $425/month
I was responsible for the electricity I used which averaged $75/month
I had my own internet connection(not the shared RV park wifi) and HD cable/DVR for another $50/month

So I was in it for $550 a month. You might find an RV park that is a bit cheaper maybe $350-$375 a month, but it also might be filled with meth addicts, which the one I lived in was not.

As far as actually living in an RV, I loved it and got hooked. Now I travel in my RV for a few days at least once a month. Would I want to live in a small trailer for 4 years, hell no. If I had a large 5th wheel or Class A, then I would probably be ok, but a small bumper pull trailer is just to small for that kind of extended living, although people do it all the time.

When I was in college I lived in a few houses and most cost about $250-$300 a month plus utilities(maybe another $100). I had some friends that bought single/double wides when they started school(obviously had their parents help), rented out the extra room/rooms and when they were done with school sold it to another kid who was starting and basically lived for nothing for 4 years. I had other friends who basically did the same, but with a house(and then rented the rooms out) and lived for free in college.

[13MPG]

My dad sold his apartment and house after he retired. He bought a large 5th wheel and a little bit later he also bought a Lance camper. His rent in MO was not as much as what rjacobs was paying and it’s in a decent park. He also kept a spot in NC which was very cheap. I think it was under $200 a month and the park mainly served people traveling but had a few long-timers. It would be in your best interest to shop around and pay close attention to the neighbors.

The 5th wheel he has is fine for 2 people and has all of the things you would expect to find in a normal house. The Lance is really neat but I don’t think it would work for more than 1 person. He has done some 2-3 week trips in it by himself and said that it was comfortable.

With any RV weight and space management is key.

[Redmanfms]

What is your budget?

I actually found a trailer park that rents single-wides with carports for $350/month gas/water/sewage included. They even have real AC units. It's not the Ritz, the units are dated and they're close together, but it's clean and based on some research of 911 call-outs, safe and very quiet.

It's only 20 miles from campus and since I ride a motorcycle I won't be dying on gas.

I seriously doubt I can beat that deal.

[usmcvet]

Sounds like a great deal.

[ryanschmidt65]

^^^ I agree it sounds amazing, you should totally go for it!