WIBU to live in a caravan?

[PickledLilly]

I need to get out of my relationship but live in an area where rents/house prices are high and wages are low and Housing Association houses are impossible to get.

I hate the idea of being at the mercy of a landlord and want the security of something of my own but could never get a mortgage on just my wage. WIBU to buy a nice static caravan on a holiday park for me and my two children and cat to live in?

I know it would be a lot smaller than our current home (but so would anything I could afford to rent) but there are other year round residents, lovely grounds, playground and a swimming pool that’s all free for residents to use.

I just get this sense that some people would be aghast at me moving my children into a caravan but it honestly feels like my only way out. WIBU?

I am not rushing in to any decisions just because I’ve seen one van. I’m well aware It’s not a perfect solution but it is a possible solution and I am trying to investigate them all and weigh up the options. I am a cautious planner by nature!

OP, having just stayed in a static van with my kids, where the 10 year old refused to sleep in the kids' room because the bed was too narrow and slim, and had to sleep on the sofa in the lounge, have you checked whether your kids will fit into the caravan single beds? Double beds are usually fine but the singles are really slim and shorter than a standard single. I can't see whether you've posted the ages of your kids but if they're both at school it's worth thinking through how that will work.

I did think of this thread as I was stuck negoitating with said 10 year old in his pyjamas.

My kids are 6 and 3 and quite small for their age but yes, I did notice the beds are tiny so does need considering in the long term. I’m just searching properties to rent, so far haven’t found a single property that allows pets and most of them say no children as well

I would recommend taking very accurate measurements of the kids bedrooms.
It is sometimes possible to change the 2 narrow beds in each of them for one normal single. This frees up floor space in the room. Ideally, you could get ottoman type beds that would provide a lot of extra storage.

This solution would not work in a lot of vans because normal beds are a couple of inches longer than caravan ones but you might be lucky.

I think it sounds like a good idea in your situation. I stayed in a caravan on a site earlier this year and there were definitely full time residents. Quite a few had sheds and storage under the caravan. I think with kids your age it would be fun, and in terms of teasing my kids would be beyond jealous so I wouldn’t worry!

I lived in a caravan for 2 years with my 3 DC while we built a house. The winters are tough, summers were ridiculously hot and when it was windy it was terrifying.. but we were in an open location.
DC were 8, 6 and 1 when we moved in. It's cheap living which is why we did it but hard work. Take way less than you can ever imagine needing. You need to be very organised.
Plus side was we always felt secure and cosy.. we lived cheaply and don't have has much material 'stuff', and I am an expert in a seasonal capsule wardrobe
DM me if you want any tips! It's worth it if you have a plan and it gets you where you want to be

That's funny, our local authority houses families in caravans on a holiday park. Doesn't seem to be any problem with that...

A couple of councils in my county do that, but it's emergency or temporary accommodation. It's not intended to be a long term solution,

There not cold I live in a static home and I have gas radiators. It’s just like a house,just put your heating on.
I don’t live on a holiday park. I live on a private travellers site as my dad is a gypsy.
I’d look into local travellers sites as you’ll only have to pay a normal rent and private owned sites are normally quiet.
Probably going to get a load of shit for this comment anyway as people are very prejudiced.
A lot of romanys would help you out and let you live on a plot no problem.

Oh gosh I can’t remember the model or anything

This is alien to me.
Why haven’t you been googling relentlessly to find out everything you possibly can?! This is serious sh*t and, as a fellow single mum, I know how it is - but the upshot is that no one is going to share the burden.

My own view is that this is not a good idea. Not at all.

Get yourself in front of a benefits officer.

You will be entitled to significant assistance and will be a priority with children

* I’m not sure what this means in terms of maintenance, I doubt I’d get much, if anything from him.*

Again. Not researching, just assuming

Why do you think little or nothing?

I know I may come across as being harsh - but OP really, you need to focus on determining your situation rather than making this huge decision with little forethought

You need a precise idea of what your future finances are going to look like

Probably going to get a load of shit for this comment anyway as people are very prejudiced.

I very much hope you don't get shit, @Kachieble1. I know many gipsy families, and I'd rather live next door to them than many gorjas!

I have lived in a static caravan while we renovated a house, and 9 months in a touring caravan while we did another one- with twins.

It is perfectly possible to be warm, comfortable and happy living in a van, but there are some things to take into account:
If you are on a site (we were on our own land) check the planning permits, site rules and fees very carefully- you don't want to get stung with huge fees or having to swap vans when they get past a certain age etc etc.

Choose the layout carefully: are the kids beds actually big enough? Storage? Kitchen space....
What will you do about washing clothes? Can you dry them outside? From experience launderettes are expensive and drying stuff on radiators or racks will fill the van with condensation which can lead to mould and damp.

When you move in, have a real de-clutter- don't try to cram too much in. You have to be organised and tidy when living in a small space otherwise it will drive you nuts.

You can make the van more like "home" with nice throws (which also keep the sofas clean and are easy to launder) and cushions, photos and the like.

To stop the van freezing up in the winter, check the pipes are lagged where they run underneath and in cold weather wrap the gas bottles too. We were living in our tourer in the last bad winter and with precautions didn't freeze up, although the site water supply did.

Good luck! It sounds like a good solution to your problems and that you are really thinking it through.
Feel free to ask me anything else.

People on benefits manage to find flats that will take children. You see it as 'dead money' and a waste of money but not borrowing thousands of pounds for something that may well end up costing you more than that and you'd still need to pay the loan on top.

Unless it's a lodge-insulated van it will be cold and you'll need A LOT of heating. Even new ones. We stayed in a very new one last year, in Skegness, when it was getting into the 20s during the day. It was very cold in the mornings. This one had a really nice layout in that the master (with en suite) was on side of the van, then the living room and kitchen, then two bedrooms and a bathroom on the other side so the kids had privacy.

It seems that you're conflating two massive decisions into one - leaving your partner and buying a caravan. I can understand the initial appeal of the site - pool, playground etc - how tempting that must seem but I think you need to experience living in such a small space first, BEFORE paying thousands to buy a caravan. It seems like it might work out but that there's a strong chance it won't work out and then you'll be left with all your savings gone. That would be a very serious situation to find yourself in.

Would you consider moving in with your mum first, or even renting for a short period?

If it's true as a pp said that you might only be able to sell back to the site for a reduced amount, then does the caravan idea even represent a decent investment? I just think you'd be doing yourself a favour by not taking such a big, no-way-back decision at the same time as breaking up with your partner. You say it works out cheaper than renting, but it sounds like figuring out the total cost of the caravan is quite complex - are you sure that that's the case?

I'd rent first.

Just as aside, I lived in a small 2-bed apartment with dh and two small children for a year. An extra person, yes, but it was a lot bigger than a caravan and I felt really stressed out by the end of that time. It's easy to say 'don't let stuff accumulate' if you've small kids - much harder to do in reality. And when stuff builds up, it just gets really hard ime.

Sorry to sound negative, you just really want to avoid a big financial commitment that eats up your savings if there's such a big chance of it not working out.

Do the difficult stuff of sitting in front of a benefits officer, finding out what you're entitled to in terms of maintenance. Have the hard conversations with your partner. Wade through all that shit - you're in a difficult spot but just don't leap at this because it seems like a clean, easy break. I am worried for you that you're seeing it as an idyllic solution to your problem, but that the reality might be very different.

Good luck

I’m a little confused at the posts slating me for not researching. I thought I’d made it clear that exactly what I’m doing, I’m investigating one of several options and taking my time to come to an informed decision. Nowhere did I say I was rushing out and immediately buying a caravan with no forethought. I had a look around two caravans to get an idea of the space and the costs involved to see if it could even be a viable option worth spending time considering. I had my youngest child with me so had limited time and had to be careful what I said in case he parroted anything back at home.

I’m not confusing two ideas at all, I KNOW I want to leave my partner, that decision was made long ago, I’m trying to sort out the details of how and when and where. I’m not sure where I gave the impression I’m some feckless idiot who isn’t thinking this through, I’m actually carefully planning to ensure I can actually manage and afford whatever option I go for.

Re: maintenance. It’s not just a blind comment, it’s based on the fact that he runs his own business and could easily cook his books to show lower earnings as many of his customers pay cash. It’s also based on the fact that he paid very little maintenance for his other child from a previous relationship who is now an adult but I remember being very surprised how little child maintenance he had to pay when they were still school aged.

Re: traveler sites, unfortunately the only one I’m aware of locally is too far away to be suitable as I’m not willing to change my child’s school, it is rather limiting in terms of my search area but it’s a red line for me.

People saying that benefits get you a flat are talking nonsense. Many many families across the UK live long term in appalling conditions. Ie old office blocks or buildings that are due to be demolished. They live there for years because we have a devastating housing crisis.

Rents in most parts of the UK are higher than housing benefit.

Landlords have bought up many council homes under right to buy meaning there is a vast shortage of family homes for those in need.

The op is right to look at her options.

Just to make clear what I'm saying . Councils are housing their families in need - including many families who have escaped abuse and violence - in shit horrible places bevause there are no council homes. The op will not jump to the top of the list and she will be much safer in a caravan than in a crowded bed and breakfast filled with junkies and with damp on the walls. That is the reality of much 'temporary family accomodation in the UK. A quick Google will reveal this

OP, just wanted to say that I like your attitude. Life can be really shit at times and we can feel like we're stuck and just have to putnup and shut up, but there is always a way, and it's usually unconventional! I think, with your careful planning and research, it sound slike a viable plan. Much better for the kids to grow up in a happy atmosphere.

B&B full of junkies is exactly where my local authority emergency houses people which is why I’m ensuring I don’t end up in that situation. They also don’t have any housing stock, there are a few housing associations but when I spoke to a helpful chap from Citizens Advice a few years ago, he told me I could go on the list for a HA house but in this area, my kids would have grown up and gone before I ever got a house and it’s all private landlords in this area and finding one who will even take HB/kids/pets is tricky.

I would rather than rent. In fact I'm living in one right now.
I'm selling my house as I've moved cross country and the only rental I could find that would let me have my cat and stay short term.
I'm loving it here. There are lakes and it's so peaceful.
Check out all the terms and conditions.

You will probably be asked to be out one or two weeks a year.