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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to live in a caravan?

423 replies

PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 12:48

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?

OP posts:
Lllot5 · 04/10/2019 13:45

I lived in a caravan when I first split up from my husband. I loved it it was nearly new had heating better kitchen than a lot of houses well kept grounds etc.
I often wish I was still there. But not open for eight weeks a year. So had to find somewhere else.
I had my post delivered there just pick it up from office.
Honestly look back at that time with great fondness

DillyDilly · 04/10/2019 13:46

A lot of caravans can have mould/damp/condensation issues, may not be obvious immediately but a few people loving in one full time with damp towels, cooking, etc issues can arise.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 04/10/2019 13:47

I wouldn't. I did this as a kid for 8 weeks and it was awful. You could keep it warm but it cost an absolute fortune in gas, which is usually LPG and a captive market for increases. Pitch fees and rent are high. You can't live there all the time and it wasn't accepted as an address on official correspondence or for schooling for my little sister. It was far too small, difficult to sleep when windy or rainy because it's amplified, and I always felt like an odd-one-out for not having a home. I wasn't bulled or called any names, but I went out of my way to make sure that nobody knew where I was living.

Fortunately for me it was a temporary stay with a foster carer, and I was very grateful for her taking me on!

Original poster
PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 13:49

Given that the vast majority of feeling here is negative, does anyone have any other ideas? Rent on a 2 bed flat is £800 per month and with utilities, council tax etc and the vast majority of them seem to say no pets or children or housing benefit (I’m not even sure whether I’d be eligible, I need to look in to it) so I just don’t know how I’d Find somewhere and afford it.

OP posts:
StrongTea · 04/10/2019 13:52

Def need a static with central heating. We have a static, great for holidays but storage would be a problem if living in full time. Look at different caravan manufacturer websites to get an idea of what you would prefer in terms of layout. I find I don’t have enough workspace. Also nowhere really handy to put the hoover. Find out if you allowed outside storage for kids bikes etc. Sure the kids would love it.

LonginesPrime · 04/10/2019 13:53

I would be careful about the address situation if you're not on a residential park - some holiday sites are stricter than others about people seeming to live there (as they can get in trouble for allowing it, I imagine).

And you don't want to be in a situation where it causes trouble and opens you to allegations of council tax evasion, etc if, for example, you need to prove your address for school admissions (or similar) but have no bills going to your actual caravan address. If you then used your DM's address as that's where your post goes, you might both get in trouble for not paying enough council tax at her property if it looks like you live there (and it could affect her entitlement to things like benefits, depending on her situation).

I'm sure there are ways to deal with this stuff (presumably by finding a residential park home site as opposed to a holiday home) but it would be the permanent address point that would concern me.

Also for things like your credit rating and showing that you're permanently resident in the UK - if you end up having to fudge addresses with a holiday home, you might end up looking like you were living off-grid and have a hard time getting back to a permanent home in the future.

BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 13:53

No, I think your solution is perfect personally. Maybe, maybe, in 4 or 5 years you can privately rent if you feel the need Hmm

For all the negatives, look at the pool, the grounds, the freedom. Just check it all out carefully first. You HAVE an address, you HAVE somewhere to go,see it as an adventure.

I'd definitely do it.

800pcm plus council tax, plus it's true, no DC's, pets etc. Fuck that for a game of soldiers,, I'm not going to beg you to take 1,000 pounds a months with no garden and cramped anyway. Madness. Give it a go!

Raphael34 · 04/10/2019 13:57

My oh lived in a caravan when I met him. It was no different to living in a bungalow. I don’t know why everyone’s saying it’ll be freezing. I know they’re not massively insulated, but he managed to keep his absolutely roasting through winter just with a couple of plug in radiators which are cheap to run. It’s no different to living in a bungalow and l bet the kids will love it. The only downside I see is possible storage issues if you’ve got a whole family living in one for an extended period. But that’s a good excuse just not to collect clutter

BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 13:58

Pay the extra on your mums council tax if need be, it'll still be a lot cheaper. Just do your homework.

As for not being 'resident in the UK' and 'off grid' I and many of my friends live outside the UK and have done for years, we can all come back anytime we like Hmm

ConFusion360 · 04/10/2019 14:00

And you don't want to be in a situation where it causes trouble and opens you to allegations of council tax evasion

Somebody I know is this situation. He lives in a static (on his own) full time and the council came knocking a couple of months ago. Because he can't prove he is paying council tax elsewhere, they say he is eligible to pay it to them.

Seems fair enough, I suppose.

LilacTreeShades · 04/10/2019 14:02

I know someone who did this for five years. They used to stay with her Dad when the park closed for two months. Her son loved it and used to join in all the talent shows on the park He is in his twenties now and works for the same holiday company as an entertainer.

BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 14:02

Yes, but she'll pay it at her mums. That will be her 'permanent address'

Don't be put off by the negativity OP.

abigailsnan · 04/10/2019 14:04

Does the site you are interested in already have children living on site at the moment ? the reason I'm asking is that some sites don't allow youngsters to stay overnight this might be only enforced on sites for the over 55s though I'm just not sure,but well worth checking out.
The only thing that would annoy me would be the storage side of things would you be able to store stuff you don't need at a particular time at your mums ?

Original poster
PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 14:05

This park definitely do allow year round residents. My mum knows people who live there. My wages are low, I’ve looked for other better paid work but haven’t managed to get another job. I need to make sure my children are safe and that I can provide for them, I don’t want to end up paying extortionate rents and living in constant fear scraping enough funds to feed us. I know a lot of people glibly just say LTB but not all of us have high flying well paid careers, I need some hope and an exit plan. It’s not a perfect solution but I need to do SOMETHING and I honestly can’t see another way out that doesn’t end with us living in a flat and panicking that I can’t pay the bills.

OP posts:
Original poster
PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 14:07

Storage will definitely be an issue as we currently live in a four bedroom house and have so much stuff. I suppose I could store some bits in mum’s attic? And I guess leave half of the kids toys and stuff here for when they stay with their dad? We’d certainly have to have a massive de clutter.

OP posts:
BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 14:08

I think it's ingenious thinking. Thinking outside the box. It upsets people though!

Original poster
PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 14:10

Its not like I WANT to live in a caravan, I want to live here but at what cost? I can’t stay in an unhappy relationship forever and have my kids growing up thinking that’s normal just because I’m poor.

OP posts:
BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 14:11

I'm currently downsizing... a HUGE amount is being thrown. But it is a good thing. You could then maybe get a storage type container (biggish one) and store it in the garden at your mums, or maybe on the side of the caravan?

We don't all need so much stuff.

BillieEilish · 04/10/2019 14:14

Yes, definitely leave half with their Dad. Just take treasured things to yours.

That's what I would do. It will be a squash, of course, but think of the pluses, they outweigh the squash. You get used to what you have to.

Anyway, it sounds marvellous.

MancaroniCheese · 04/10/2019 14:17

My friend lived in one for a couple of years along with her DH, toddler, baby and with their step child who stayed half the week.

She’s very organised and tidy and managed well.

They all loved it, nice lakeside setting, great play parks and pool on site. They only moved to get in catchment for a school.

user764329056 · 04/10/2019 14:17

I live in a mobile home, brand new, mains gas, electric, water, etc, central heating, it’s really cosy in winter, yes there are monthly site fees but I have never regretted my decision to be here

1forAll74 · 04/10/2019 14:18

I would live in a nice caravan with my three cats, and I am an oldie. I have lived in some pretty good houses over the years,but don't like where I am now,as in very old terrace cottage,which is not in good condition. I basically wan't to move back to my home county up North,and don't want the bother of a house anymore.

Bluntness100 · 04/10/2019 14:19

I think this is a fine plan op. Why should you pay money you can't afford to live in a tiny flat.

Go for the caravan.

Original poster
PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 14:19

Thank you all for your replies, it’s really helpful to hear both the negatives and the positives. I’m going to look around some and tot up the costs and ask questions about ground rents etc to figure out if it’s even possible. It may be that I can’t scrape enough money together anyway but at least i’ll Know.

OP posts:
HappyHammy · 04/10/2019 14:20

There are.plenty.of.lovely park.homes near me. Is there any chance your current house could be sold and you get some money from that or your oh would agree.to be the one who moves out.