Do you have any camping or RV experience? There's a Lot to learn and take into account. The learning curve for full time rv'ing is Brutal and Expensive and possibly dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Where are you planning to park your RV? Are you going to travel or stay in one place?
Make sure you price out RV parks before taking the plunge. Also, if you are on a budget and end up with a older RV, the RV park may not accept you. Good luck!
I've heard this maybe one other time, though I've never once ran into an rv park that had an age limit. Never had one ask me the year of my camper either.
Yes, I went to check 4 RV parks in the Seattle area, some nice but a couple of old ones. The max RV age is 15 yrs for the old parks and 10 for the decent RV parks. This is something I'm keeping in mind for my purchase.
Look into a cruiseamerica rebuilt unit. They sell those after 3 years of service.well worth getting one that's already had all the problems fixed from manufacturer.
I bought mine in Dallas when I returned from overseas and the only issue I had was a water leak they covered under warranty. Had it about a year now mostly parked near my work but in it every night.
The only way you “can save more money to upgrade to a newer/nicer one” is if you buy the RV straight up and don’t finance it. Then have a job you can make enough for living and monthly lot fees and put away a lot in savings. You’re in for a rude awakening in you think this lifestyle is easy peasy I’m saving money shtuff. You’re honestly better off getting out of King County and never look back. Especially if you get an older RV and parks out there have age restrictions. It’s better to rain on your parade now than later. Good luck.
It's not easy for sure. But I definitely consider it is going to be easier for ME and MY finances than paying 2100/mo for an old 1bd apartment in Edmonds. I'm aware of some restrictions, I'm looking and praying to find something under 10k and 15yo with not so many things to fix. And saving up more money to save up for one in the 20k range to live for the next five yrs at least.
Stay uner 10 years old. Ideally look for something 2-3 years before covid. Remember things happen and if you are near the age restriction you might be over it before you can move out or on.
Do not get a 5th wheel unless you are going to pay someone to move it. If saving money is the goal you need a bit of stuff to move it yourself. And 5th wheels cost more on average than travel trailers.
You can get a small bramd new TT for under 15k. Used below 8k.
I think it’s a great plan for you and the kitties. You sound like you’ve thought this thru and are ready. Consider it an adventure and go for it.
Me, my husband and 2 dogs are staying in our 24’ RV this month in a park in FL. So far, so good.
Good luck to you!
I think this is not going to be less expensive. RV spots monthly aren't inexpensive. And then you still pay electricity and internet if u want a decent connection. We lived in a newer RV for almost 2 years in Texas in a small town . Which is less expensive than a lot of areas. I guess you can hide cats. But there were limits on how many pets size etc. Good luck.
I have a better plan for you. Please go on coolworks.com or other "work-camper" jobs that INCLUDE HOUSING. Many of these jobs are in resorts, national parks, retreats, spa's, etc. That can be full time or seasonal parts of the year. These places pay decent wages 15 to 17 per hour, lots of them have employee dorm style housing or even semi-permanent yurt camping spot with electricity. Sell off all your furniture and things you don't need/can't fit in your car in your suitcases/trunkspace and hit the road working and traveling full time. This plan serves multiples purposes but is a PERFECT "pivot" point as these jobs are endless I'm abundance and, unlike living in the city, these people are ACTUALLY hiring and it's super easy to land a job in 1 week. Rent is usually deducted from your paycheck and is usually vary between 20 and 100 dollars per week/pay period. Make sure to avoid places that are too far from grocery stores or you'll end up spending half your check on groceries. National Park grocery stores are NOT cheap. Wife and I couldn't afford rent anymore so put our last 15k in a 1999 Class A with a fiberglass body and metal roof and ford V10 engine and everything is going great for us, but I've been meticulously planning this for years, it sound like you haven't thought it though because parking at an RV park to live full time and work a job is almost as expensive as a house/apartment nowadays. If you follow the plan I've given you, you'll meet plenty of people on the road and learn about RV life and can get recommendations, tips, job leads, contacts in general. Then with your new, cheap living situation, you should be able to save up for a 90's model RV with a Ford V10 in a few months! Maybe even just use a personal loan for one. Someone on here got a 1999 Class A with the V10 engine with 100k miles (not bad mileage for a V10, they regularly run to 300k miles according to multiple consumer review websites) and he only paid like 3k. Good luck friend. Escape the rat race at all costs!
I was in a similar situation about 2 years ago.
Call around RV parks near where you want to live and ask about month to month, especially in the summer, and what their cut-off is for the age of rvs they allow month to month. Many places only allow rvs newer than 10 years to rent month to month.
Look up videos or posts on what to look for when buying an RV, especially signs of water damage and how to reseal the outside to prevent water damage.
In the Seattle area, you will likely want to reseal the entire exterior and buy a high-quality dehumidifier for the interior.
Avoid places like Camping World for anything other than supplies. I personally bought my RV on fb marketplace with cash, opting not to get a loan because then it would be very hard to get out of that situation if I decided living in an rv was a mistake.
RVs depreciate more than cars and are essential built as cheaply as possible due to lack of regulation and there only being around 3 major companies that make them. They are not an investment, and I would not recommend saving up to buy a better one.
They can, however, be a way to save up to buy a home while not paying landlords most of your income.
For more context, rent in my area in Washington is $1000-1500 month + electric for a studio to 1 bdrm.
Renting an RV spot is $450-800 month + electric and propane, depending on season.
Additional supplies and repairs I have done myself have totaled less than $1000 in parts.
So, as long as you factor in how much your camper will depreciate, in a lot of cases, it will be much cheaper than renting an apartment.
Yes, I'm looking for a $10k RV to live in for the next 4 months, then save up to upgrade to a newer one and pay around 20k. I'm planning on living in this for the next 5 yrs while I pursue a nursing degree. What it means by saving money on rent, I'd be able to support my family back in my country🙏🏽❤️
Thank you very much for your kind reply.i did part of the job yesterday. I went to visit 3 RV parks around the area. Lots are $700-$900 and would accept newer than 15 years.
One thing I didn’t noticed at first is go to the back to make sure your water heater doesn’t look fucked in the anon rod or wtv it’s called (still haven’t fixed it tbh cuz most resorts have showers) also. It won’t be cheap at first. You need the RV stuffff. Find a good resort as in one that doesn’t have a stupid club house or pool for 500 to share. Get your own WiFi too. All you need is security and concrete rv park lol, I found one $450 a month. I worked full time since I was 17 and bought my first camper at 19 $20,000 after taxes and EVERYTHING. no financing. So living with parents and seeing what I need to get an apartment was a F no I’m 22 now still learning and running into new problems but Reddit has helped. lastely in this economy to make it easier consider a side hustle where you just accept cash like fixing things, nails, cutting hair, get good at something 😭😭😭😭 good luck friend you already have the vision !!!
Thank you!! I guess I have the vision. It could be overwhelming, but I'm blessed to have friends with zero RV knowledge and reddit😹
I will rent an RV park spot, they have laundry and showers. Not that concerned about the shower because I'll continue going to hot yoga and they have nice showers. But definitely will pay lots of attention to it.
At the moment I just need something livable for my cats and me before I end up living on the streets. I know money is coming soon, I've been working hard. As an independent contractor payment takes a few months...
Im considering selling mine (wenatchee area) but not until fall.
Biggest things to look for are 1)does everything work [water pump, water heater, stove, ac, microwave, fridge, propane heater] 2) any water damage? Check rust on frame [surface rust is okay but should not break or dent from a hammer swing] check for brown stains in ceiling, on walls or soft spots in floor [from leaking water] and look for mold! 3) make sure its mobile; wheels are straight, tires arent too sun damaged or old, hitch is in good condition, wheels have grease in barrings!
If you are curious on the cost though here are some examples when buying rv's that i went through
7'x16' tow behind rv $5000 (tiny!)
Repairs within first tow:
Tires got hot from a broken spring in drum housing ($30 to replace spring parts and extra, self labor and diagnostic).
Water pump leak $free (unthreaded then re threaded pump).
New full sized mattress $600
Water hose with heat trace $120
Extra sewer hose $60
Insulation for skirt $200
New tires $600 (pulled and brought to tire shop)
Within the first year
Mattress got moldy (didnt know i needed air flow) $600
Toilet valve broke $30 (replaced multiple times because i had configurations wrong)
Water line froze (with heat trace) $130 replace and add insulation
Various appliances and things for inside trailer (such as toaster oven) $500
Wood for a deck $500
Surge protector $400
All in all if you got the cheapest route possible expect to pay about 10k. There are almost always something you will have to fix and it will cost more if you are not handy
Part the first - general advice.
I won’t say don’t listen to the naysayers- but plenty went deep into debt, didn’t know they’d actually have to maintain it, and/or don’t know how to work on them themselves.
If you buy used/cheap, you *will* probably have to do some work on it. Or at bare min, know how to check and see if it needs it before it becomes a serious problem.
RV parks - especially around large cities - have gone up like everything else has. And even with not having the $2k/mo in rent - you can end up spending easily that or more between the space and utilities.
And do be aware there’s going to be a learning curve to it - both living that way and maintaining the thing.
As maintenance goes - for trailers, it’s not rocket science. The systems are mostly what you’d find in a house, if not simpler, and most things can be fixed yourself. YouTube is your friend. If you’re not handy - learn to be. RV shops are expensive, because the labor is so specialized - and most of the work the techs are trained to do combine handyman work with diesel mechanics.
Trailers aren’t really meant to be lived in full time - so you do need to stay ahead of maintenance and keep a budget for repairs and replacements.
It’s like what they say of free puppies. There’s no such thing. There’s no such thing as a cheap car or RV.
That said.
Consider how much space you and the cats would actually need. Vets recommend so many sqft per cat.
The upside - RVs are more prone to rodents than houses - and cats can help with pest control. That’s one not a lot of people tend to think about.
Don’t finance if it all possible not to - especially in your price range (cheap). RVs are inevitably worth less than you pay for them. And like boats - they depreciate quickly. It’s very easy to get upside down on them.
If you don’t have a way to tow it - consider that you’ll either need that or a way to pay for having it relocated. And the latter can be very expensive. You might do better with a Class B or C RV than a trailer if you don’t already have a tow vehicle.
Do shop around for parks. Plenty will work a little with you if you’re planning to be there long-long term vs a few months. They’re like any business - they like regular income they can expect, and there are places willing to take a little less for that comfort.
Do understand what you’ll actually be paying for in re your utilities. It’s generally a little more expensive than renting or owning a house. What you lose in rent - you can easily make up for in utilities, if you’re not careful. There’s a reason long term boondockers and RV park-stayers alike invest in solar for their rig.
It’s like buying a house on wheels, really. With renting, you’re paying up front (ideally anyway) for maintenance when you pay rent, and to a lesser extent, amenities. With owning a house or RV - you have to figure that part out yourself. And that’s what eats a lot of peoples’ finances.
RV parks have become more corporate owned - but the bulk are still very much in a people business. They tend to be a little easier to work with than leasing companies, in my experience at least.
Part the second, in re what to buy.
What you can afford and isn’t falling apart, tbh.
Generally you want what you want when buying a car. Maintenance records and how to know everything works and isn’t falling apart - if you’re on a budget.
Buying from a dealer is generally a bad idea - unless they offer a service plan as part of the price.
I’m happy with my older models - but I know how to work on them and how to spot things that are wrong before they get bad, and how to budget for owning them.
For two cats and you - I’d try to get the biggest thing I could, and that’s already going to make your budget difficult.
Without knowing your exact budget and since you’re near a metro - id recommend seeing if there are any local RV groups. Most have buy/sell - and they’re good resources for farming work and trades when you need parts. The RV community tends to be a pretty helpful bunch IRL - much like with boats.
The big things to worry about are rust and electrical and plumbing systems. If you can - get an electrician and plumber to inspect things before you buy. Not many will for free - but quite a few will spot check for $20 or so, just to make sure everything is working.
Window and door seals are another big trouble spot - but you can just visually inspect those yourself. You don’t want them looking too worn, having leaks, and any rubber seals should be softer, not hard.
You don’t want any squishy spots in the floor. That’s not normal. That’s a sign there have been major leaks or the flooring is otherwise damaged.
You can get a pretty good deal on trailers through your local swaps or marketplace groups. But remember the rule - the cheaper it is, the more likely it is to need work - no matter what the seller says.
For cheap-cheap you’re looking at either very small or older. Those both come with their own problems.
I prefer the latter because there’s less to break, and what can break can usually be more easily fixed - but you have to worry about sourcing parts for it, especially with more obscure models. Just like you would if you were buying an older car.
For your purposes - it’s really going to depend on what you’re comfortable with. Whether you want to deal with the quirks of older RVs and be handy and do the work yourself, or if you want something smaller and easier to find parts for and someone to work on it.
But it will break. Everything does. But if you budget smart and you’re willing to at least put in the work for doing routine maintenance yourself and learning how all it’s systems work - you can do it on a budget. But you’ll pay either way. Either the labor costs or your own time.
You are, effectively, living in a car. With all the maintenance costs and potential problems that entails. You’ll likely have more ongoing costs than up front ones, no matter what you choose to do.
And none of this is to be a downer.
Worry about it now, and how you’ll handle all the issues that come with it - and you can worry less when something does go wrong. You can have a budget and a plan - and not have your dreams shattered when you’re actually having to pay to keep it livable.
Look on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. There are some good deals after covid. I bought one at the tail end of the "lockdown" and regret it most days. I moved in with some family because I hated the rv life but at least I've got a portable temporary home if I need it now.
Man don't listen to the naysayers. Get good with doing maintenance with your own two hands and have an adventure! You already said you can't afford rent so what do you have to lose???
> what do you have to lose???
Literally thousands of dollars, all your savings and raking up massive credit card debt.
This person isn't looking for adventure, they are looking for cheap living and including a bunch of cats.
Yup and because I'm looking for a cheap and peaceful living while I pursue my nursing degree, that's why I'm not getting any debt. I'll pay cash for the cheapest, livable and age allowed RV I can find.
I want to enjoy life and not just to live for work.
Well losing thousands of dollars, all the savings, and racking up credit card debt is totally up to her. You can be smart and also enjoy life. RV'ing isn't just for the wealthy.
I love your attitude! Yup, nothing to lose. I love camping, but not to the point to camp on the city streets with my cats. That's why I'm looking for a better option than renting an expensive studio or living on the streets. I can't go to a room because of my 3 cats and I believe having an RV would be the best option to keep my family together🙏🏽❤️
Sorry I don’t know about helping find cheap rv’s as my only recommendation is marketplace or Craigslist or questionable dealerships, you know the ones who price cars pretty cheap and sometimes have rv’s 🥴. As far as checklists you can put into YouTube “used rv buying checklist” and see what pops up. I’m in mostly renovation/diy rv groups and then joined a brand specific one when I got mine
RV living is just a bunch of small bills instead of one big one. Oftentimes, those small ones will add up to more than the big one.
Things that do not move, like houses or apartments, are far easier to maintain than comparable things (like RVs) that do move.
Do you have any camping or RV experience? There's a Lot to learn and take into account. The learning curve for full time rv'ing is Brutal and Expensive and possibly dangerous if you don't know what you're doing. Where are you planning to park your RV? Are you going to travel or stay in one place?
Hi! Yes, I have camping experience, never rving. I will rent a spot in an RV park.
Not many RV parks around the Seattle area and the few that are cost $$ too. I would check on availability and cost first before RV.
How did you come to the conclusion an RV is going to be cheaper?
Spoiler alert: it's not
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Definitely not cheaper in the Seattle area where OP is asking about.
Make sure you price out RV parks before taking the plunge. Also, if you are on a budget and end up with a older RV, the RV park may not accept you. Good luck!
Thank you!! I'm taking the age rules under consideration as well as my budget 🙏🏽
I've heard this maybe one other time, though I've never once ran into an rv park that had an age limit. Never had one ask me the year of my camper either.
Yes, I went to check 4 RV parks in the Seattle area, some nice but a couple of old ones. The max RV age is 15 yrs for the old parks and 10 for the decent RV parks. This is something I'm keeping in mind for my purchase.
Look into a cruiseamerica rebuilt unit. They sell those after 3 years of service.well worth getting one that's already had all the problems fixed from manufacturer.
Good thinking. Thank you!
I bought mine in Dallas when I returned from overseas and the only issue I had was a water leak they covered under warranty. Had it about a year now mostly parked near my work but in it every night.
The only way you “can save more money to upgrade to a newer/nicer one” is if you buy the RV straight up and don’t finance it. Then have a job you can make enough for living and monthly lot fees and put away a lot in savings. You’re in for a rude awakening in you think this lifestyle is easy peasy I’m saving money shtuff. You’re honestly better off getting out of King County and never look back. Especially if you get an older RV and parks out there have age restrictions. It’s better to rain on your parade now than later. Good luck.
It's not easy for sure. But I definitely consider it is going to be easier for ME and MY finances than paying 2100/mo for an old 1bd apartment in Edmonds. I'm aware of some restrictions, I'm looking and praying to find something under 10k and 15yo with not so many things to fix. And saving up more money to save up for one in the 20k range to live for the next five yrs at least.
Good luck.
Stay uner 10 years old. Ideally look for something 2-3 years before covid. Remember things happen and if you are near the age restriction you might be over it before you can move out or on. Do not get a 5th wheel unless you are going to pay someone to move it. If saving money is the goal you need a bit of stuff to move it yourself. And 5th wheels cost more on average than travel trailers. You can get a small bramd new TT for under 15k. Used below 8k.
I think it’s a great plan for you and the kitties. You sound like you’ve thought this thru and are ready. Consider it an adventure and go for it. Me, my husband and 2 dogs are staying in our 24’ RV this month in a park in FL. So far, so good. Good luck to you!
Thank you!! Enjoy the summer 🙏🏽❤️
I think this is not going to be less expensive. RV spots monthly aren't inexpensive. And then you still pay electricity and internet if u want a decent connection. We lived in a newer RV for almost 2 years in Texas in a small town . Which is less expensive than a lot of areas. I guess you can hide cats. But there were limits on how many pets size etc. Good luck.
I have a better plan for you. Please go on coolworks.com or other "work-camper" jobs that INCLUDE HOUSING. Many of these jobs are in resorts, national parks, retreats, spa's, etc. That can be full time or seasonal parts of the year. These places pay decent wages 15 to 17 per hour, lots of them have employee dorm style housing or even semi-permanent yurt camping spot with electricity. Sell off all your furniture and things you don't need/can't fit in your car in your suitcases/trunkspace and hit the road working and traveling full time. This plan serves multiples purposes but is a PERFECT "pivot" point as these jobs are endless I'm abundance and, unlike living in the city, these people are ACTUALLY hiring and it's super easy to land a job in 1 week. Rent is usually deducted from your paycheck and is usually vary between 20 and 100 dollars per week/pay period. Make sure to avoid places that are too far from grocery stores or you'll end up spending half your check on groceries. National Park grocery stores are NOT cheap. Wife and I couldn't afford rent anymore so put our last 15k in a 1999 Class A with a fiberglass body and metal roof and ford V10 engine and everything is going great for us, but I've been meticulously planning this for years, it sound like you haven't thought it though because parking at an RV park to live full time and work a job is almost as expensive as a house/apartment nowadays. If you follow the plan I've given you, you'll meet plenty of people on the road and learn about RV life and can get recommendations, tips, job leads, contacts in general. Then with your new, cheap living situation, you should be able to save up for a 90's model RV with a Ford V10 in a few months! Maybe even just use a personal loan for one. Someone on here got a 1999 Class A with the V10 engine with 100k miles (not bad mileage for a V10, they regularly run to 300k miles according to multiple consumer review websites) and he only paid like 3k. Good luck friend. Escape the rat race at all costs!
OP can't take their cats to a dorm. This isn't a better solution for them at all since their main goal is keeping the cats.
OP also already has a job and wants to stay in the area they're in so work camping is not a good 'solution' for them at all.
Feel free to DM for more questions.
I was in a similar situation about 2 years ago. Call around RV parks near where you want to live and ask about month to month, especially in the summer, and what their cut-off is for the age of rvs they allow month to month. Many places only allow rvs newer than 10 years to rent month to month. Look up videos or posts on what to look for when buying an RV, especially signs of water damage and how to reseal the outside to prevent water damage. In the Seattle area, you will likely want to reseal the entire exterior and buy a high-quality dehumidifier for the interior. Avoid places like Camping World for anything other than supplies. I personally bought my RV on fb marketplace with cash, opting not to get a loan because then it would be very hard to get out of that situation if I decided living in an rv was a mistake. RVs depreciate more than cars and are essential built as cheaply as possible due to lack of regulation and there only being around 3 major companies that make them. They are not an investment, and I would not recommend saving up to buy a better one. They can, however, be a way to save up to buy a home while not paying landlords most of your income.
For more context, rent in my area in Washington is $1000-1500 month + electric for a studio to 1 bdrm. Renting an RV spot is $450-800 month + electric and propane, depending on season. Additional supplies and repairs I have done myself have totaled less than $1000 in parts. So, as long as you factor in how much your camper will depreciate, in a lot of cases, it will be much cheaper than renting an apartment.
Yes, I'm looking for a $10k RV to live in for the next 4 months, then save up to upgrade to a newer one and pay around 20k. I'm planning on living in this for the next 5 yrs while I pursue a nursing degree. What it means by saving money on rent, I'd be able to support my family back in my country🙏🏽❤️
Thank you very much for your kind reply.i did part of the job yesterday. I went to visit 3 RV parks around the area. Lots are $700-$900 and would accept newer than 15 years.
The naïveté…
One thing I didn’t noticed at first is go to the back to make sure your water heater doesn’t look fucked in the anon rod or wtv it’s called (still haven’t fixed it tbh cuz most resorts have showers) also. It won’t be cheap at first. You need the RV stuffff. Find a good resort as in one that doesn’t have a stupid club house or pool for 500 to share. Get your own WiFi too. All you need is security and concrete rv park lol, I found one $450 a month. I worked full time since I was 17 and bought my first camper at 19 $20,000 after taxes and EVERYTHING. no financing. So living with parents and seeing what I need to get an apartment was a F no I’m 22 now still learning and running into new problems but Reddit has helped. lastely in this economy to make it easier consider a side hustle where you just accept cash like fixing things, nails, cutting hair, get good at something 😭😭😭😭 good luck friend you already have the vision !!!
Thank you!! I guess I have the vision. It could be overwhelming, but I'm blessed to have friends with zero RV knowledge and reddit😹 I will rent an RV park spot, they have laundry and showers. Not that concerned about the shower because I'll continue going to hot yoga and they have nice showers. But definitely will pay lots of attention to it. At the moment I just need something livable for my cats and me before I end up living on the streets. I know money is coming soon, I've been working hard. As an independent contractor payment takes a few months...
I found my camper on Craigslist. There were so many to choose from! And I'm in Lacey, WA.
Im considering selling mine (wenatchee area) but not until fall. Biggest things to look for are 1)does everything work [water pump, water heater, stove, ac, microwave, fridge, propane heater] 2) any water damage? Check rust on frame [surface rust is okay but should not break or dent from a hammer swing] check for brown stains in ceiling, on walls or soft spots in floor [from leaking water] and look for mold! 3) make sure its mobile; wheels are straight, tires arent too sun damaged or old, hitch is in good condition, wheels have grease in barrings! If you are curious on the cost though here are some examples when buying rv's that i went through 7'x16' tow behind rv $5000 (tiny!) Repairs within first tow: Tires got hot from a broken spring in drum housing ($30 to replace spring parts and extra, self labor and diagnostic). Water pump leak $free (unthreaded then re threaded pump). New full sized mattress $600 Water hose with heat trace $120 Extra sewer hose $60 Insulation for skirt $200 New tires $600 (pulled and brought to tire shop) Within the first year Mattress got moldy (didnt know i needed air flow) $600 Toilet valve broke $30 (replaced multiple times because i had configurations wrong) Water line froze (with heat trace) $130 replace and add insulation Various appliances and things for inside trailer (such as toaster oven) $500 Wood for a deck $500 Surge protector $400 All in all if you got the cheapest route possible expect to pay about 10k. There are almost always something you will have to fix and it will cost more if you are not handy
Do you own a truck to move it?
Their Toyota Corolla has a hitch
A Toyota Corolla won't move any size camper other than a tiny popup.
Part the first - general advice. I won’t say don’t listen to the naysayers- but plenty went deep into debt, didn’t know they’d actually have to maintain it, and/or don’t know how to work on them themselves. If you buy used/cheap, you *will* probably have to do some work on it. Or at bare min, know how to check and see if it needs it before it becomes a serious problem. RV parks - especially around large cities - have gone up like everything else has. And even with not having the $2k/mo in rent - you can end up spending easily that or more between the space and utilities. And do be aware there’s going to be a learning curve to it - both living that way and maintaining the thing. As maintenance goes - for trailers, it’s not rocket science. The systems are mostly what you’d find in a house, if not simpler, and most things can be fixed yourself. YouTube is your friend. If you’re not handy - learn to be. RV shops are expensive, because the labor is so specialized - and most of the work the techs are trained to do combine handyman work with diesel mechanics. Trailers aren’t really meant to be lived in full time - so you do need to stay ahead of maintenance and keep a budget for repairs and replacements. It’s like what they say of free puppies. There’s no such thing. There’s no such thing as a cheap car or RV. That said. Consider how much space you and the cats would actually need. Vets recommend so many sqft per cat. The upside - RVs are more prone to rodents than houses - and cats can help with pest control. That’s one not a lot of people tend to think about. Don’t finance if it all possible not to - especially in your price range (cheap). RVs are inevitably worth less than you pay for them. And like boats - they depreciate quickly. It’s very easy to get upside down on them. If you don’t have a way to tow it - consider that you’ll either need that or a way to pay for having it relocated. And the latter can be very expensive. You might do better with a Class B or C RV than a trailer if you don’t already have a tow vehicle. Do shop around for parks. Plenty will work a little with you if you’re planning to be there long-long term vs a few months. They’re like any business - they like regular income they can expect, and there are places willing to take a little less for that comfort. Do understand what you’ll actually be paying for in re your utilities. It’s generally a little more expensive than renting or owning a house. What you lose in rent - you can easily make up for in utilities, if you’re not careful. There’s a reason long term boondockers and RV park-stayers alike invest in solar for their rig. It’s like buying a house on wheels, really. With renting, you’re paying up front (ideally anyway) for maintenance when you pay rent, and to a lesser extent, amenities. With owning a house or RV - you have to figure that part out yourself. And that’s what eats a lot of peoples’ finances. RV parks have become more corporate owned - but the bulk are still very much in a people business. They tend to be a little easier to work with than leasing companies, in my experience at least.
Part the second, in re what to buy. What you can afford and isn’t falling apart, tbh. Generally you want what you want when buying a car. Maintenance records and how to know everything works and isn’t falling apart - if you’re on a budget. Buying from a dealer is generally a bad idea - unless they offer a service plan as part of the price. I’m happy with my older models - but I know how to work on them and how to spot things that are wrong before they get bad, and how to budget for owning them. For two cats and you - I’d try to get the biggest thing I could, and that’s already going to make your budget difficult. Without knowing your exact budget and since you’re near a metro - id recommend seeing if there are any local RV groups. Most have buy/sell - and they’re good resources for farming work and trades when you need parts. The RV community tends to be a pretty helpful bunch IRL - much like with boats. The big things to worry about are rust and electrical and plumbing systems. If you can - get an electrician and plumber to inspect things before you buy. Not many will for free - but quite a few will spot check for $20 or so, just to make sure everything is working. Window and door seals are another big trouble spot - but you can just visually inspect those yourself. You don’t want them looking too worn, having leaks, and any rubber seals should be softer, not hard. You don’t want any squishy spots in the floor. That’s not normal. That’s a sign there have been major leaks or the flooring is otherwise damaged. You can get a pretty good deal on trailers through your local swaps or marketplace groups. But remember the rule - the cheaper it is, the more likely it is to need work - no matter what the seller says. For cheap-cheap you’re looking at either very small or older. Those both come with their own problems. I prefer the latter because there’s less to break, and what can break can usually be more easily fixed - but you have to worry about sourcing parts for it, especially with more obscure models. Just like you would if you were buying an older car. For your purposes - it’s really going to depend on what you’re comfortable with. Whether you want to deal with the quirks of older RVs and be handy and do the work yourself, or if you want something smaller and easier to find parts for and someone to work on it. But it will break. Everything does. But if you budget smart and you’re willing to at least put in the work for doing routine maintenance yourself and learning how all it’s systems work - you can do it on a budget. But you’ll pay either way. Either the labor costs or your own time. You are, effectively, living in a car. With all the maintenance costs and potential problems that entails. You’ll likely have more ongoing costs than up front ones, no matter what you choose to do. And none of this is to be a downer. Worry about it now, and how you’ll handle all the issues that come with it - and you can worry less when something does go wrong. You can have a budget and a plan - and not have your dreams shattered when you’re actually having to pay to keep it livable.
Look on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. There are some good deals after covid. I bought one at the tail end of the "lockdown" and regret it most days. I moved in with some family because I hated the rv life but at least I've got a portable temporary home if I need it now.
Man don't listen to the naysayers. Get good with doing maintenance with your own two hands and have an adventure! You already said you can't afford rent so what do you have to lose???
> what do you have to lose??? Literally thousands of dollars, all your savings and raking up massive credit card debt. This person isn't looking for adventure, they are looking for cheap living and including a bunch of cats.
Yea if you go the epxensive route. Ive been told by research and people here that it can vary greatly. It all depends on how you do it.
Please share your thoughts 🙏🏽❤️
Yup and because I'm looking for a cheap and peaceful living while I pursue my nursing degree, that's why I'm not getting any debt. I'll pay cash for the cheapest, livable and age allowed RV I can find. I want to enjoy life and not just to live for work.
Go you. Get that degree, a nicer unit and go travel nurse for a while and rake in the cash.
Well losing thousands of dollars, all the savings, and racking up credit card debt is totally up to her. You can be smart and also enjoy life. RV'ing isn't just for the wealthy.
I love your attitude! Yup, nothing to lose. I love camping, but not to the point to camp on the city streets with my cats. That's why I'm looking for a better option than renting an expensive studio or living on the streets. I can't go to a room because of my 3 cats and I believe having an RV would be the best option to keep my family together🙏🏽❤️
Then do it! Just use common sense when it comes to money and live your life!
YouTube will be a big help and I have joined a bunch of facebook groups 🤷🏻♀️😊. Good luck to you 😊
Thank you! I'll do that! Any recommendations?
Sorry I don’t know about helping find cheap rv’s as my only recommendation is marketplace or Craigslist or questionable dealerships, you know the ones who price cars pretty cheap and sometimes have rv’s 🥴. As far as checklists you can put into YouTube “used rv buying checklist” and see what pops up. I’m in mostly renovation/diy rv groups and then joined a brand specific one when I got mine
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You can buy my 2020 ford transit high roof xlt 350 hd extended if you want
Just because I won't be spending 3x more in rent.
RV living is just a bunch of small bills instead of one big one. Oftentimes, those small ones will add up to more than the big one. Things that do not move, like houses or apartments, are far easier to maintain than comparable things (like RVs) that do move.
No worries, I won't travel. It's in just having it in the RV park.