Buying a static caravan

[Hamwidgeandcheps]

Not sure if this is the right place. I want to (aspire to maybe!) buy a static in west Cornwall. I have decided if I can't live there this is next best thing and hoping it would be easy v frequent holidays for my small dds and I.
Please talk to me if you own one. What are the ongoing costs? What do I need to know?

[CairngomRockHunter]

Great idea, they are fab!

There are some things to watch out for though, you will have to pay site fees each year, which could be a few thousand pounds. There is the initial cost of the van. Electrics, water fees. The one that might catch you out is their rules about age and condition of the vans. Some places insist that vans can not be older than 15yrs, so you may have to invest in a new van, there may be restrictions on what your van looks like.

However, choose the right van and the right site and they are fantastic.

[zumo]

Having looked at this in the past don't
The depreciation is horrific, its cheaper to buy a tourer and leave it on a seasonal pitch, then if you get fed up its easy to move, even if you don't drive plenty of people about who move them cheaply.
We didn't in the end as when we worked out just how often we would be able to go with work kids activities etc it was cheaper to rent

[fengirl1]

Huge pros and cons to this... Don't have one now, but have. Many sites sell their own, but will only allow you to sell to them or off-site (easier said than done) and then screw you over massively so you make a huge loss. Site fees are now in the thousands, and you also need to allow for insurance and maintenance (if your caravan is empty over winter it will need to be prepared - water and boiler drained etc). The site owners will helpfully arrange that for you, at a cost...
Having said all of that, you can make it into a real home from home, leaving clothes, food, bedding, etc there (but obviously you need enough to do that). We left stuff there so we could get into the car on a Friday evening and just go.
If you can afford it, go for it (but do make sure you're aware of all of the costs).