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?

We have a static and I am convinced my DH would be quite happy to move into it full time. Storage space is a problem, even for just the two of us, but a shed has helped.

Despite adding extra insulation, heating it used to cost us a fortune in LPG but we have since fitted a wood stove and heating costs are now negligible. Still cold in the morning though until the place warms through. Mains gas central heating would be on my wish list.

As long as you understand that it's more like buying a car than a house, it will lose value. Holiday vans are close together and holiday makers can be a pain, a residential site might be better. Have you had a proper look and spoken to site management?
I wouldn't rule it out if it solves your problem short term. Not worse than a damp rented flat. You can make money from renting it when you move on.
A friend just moved to a houseboat with teenagers. They love it

Re: catchment areas, my eldest is already in school and my youngest should get in based on being a sibling which is much higher up their admission criteria than catchment area.

I'd do it in those circumstances, except that I'd be worried that I'd be stuck there for good if I couldn't sell it back easily to that I'd lose a lot of money doing so. If you are reasonably sure that wouldn't be an issue, I'd say yeah. Not ideal, but definitely an option I'd consider.

I'd definitely do it if I could buy a bit of land and put it there. Grand Designs style!

Have you looked at council housing criteria, you may qualify as homeless if domestic abuse. See shelter website. Good luck

Well, we travel a lot and for long periods (for work reasons) and therefore have lived in all sorts of temporary accomodation, so, I don't know long term, but I can tell you my DCs have always loved the quirkier accomodation (cabins, caravans etc.) the best because to them it felt like a bit of an adventure, they have never been teased about it either (but then, it was temporary so maybe different), I'd say go for it if all practicalities check out!

House boat. We have lots on the river here and they look idyllic!

There are a few residential sites locally but they’re more aimed at retired people. The holiday site i think would be more family friendly and has facilities for the kids. It is busy in the summer but it’s a family site so full of kids not rowdy stag parties.

Can’t do a houseboat, would be worried sick about drowning. Youngest is just too young for a boat and it’s not really the right area (coastal, no canals!)

Check the rules carefully about noise. Probably less of an issue at a holiday site but I’d hate for you to come across neighbours who want peace and quiet, not two young children.

Ah, the thorny issue of why I can’t stay here. We’re not married. Please don’t shout at me. I’m named on the mortgage but all the capital we put in when we bought this was from his previous home which I didn’t own (gifted to him by his parents) we have only been in this home a few years so I basically own nothing. Have been together ten years but I don’t have a right to any of it.

Have you spoken to a solicitor?

He would have to pay child support, have you taken that into consideration?

I don't know about the teasing to be honest, I don't think that there is the same stigma that there is in the US.. I dated a guy who lived in one of these and I couldn't wait to go back to his place .

I was at school with a girl who lived in a static caravan. Nobody thought of teasing her for it. On the contrary it seemed quite cool.
Stephen King wrote Carrie while broke and living in a trailer, aka static caravan.

I think good for you. You're making a plan and thinking about it. Not just turning up at the council and then moaning you're in a b&b room. I think the caravan is an alright idea; I see the benefits. I would ask long term residents questions and see if you can negotiate a fixed term; always worth an ask? Good luck with it

Not unreasonable at all!

My best friend at grammar school used to live in one with just her mum and their little dog (she was also good friends with the girl everyone was scared of at school- so that helped!) but most of us in our friend group thought it was awesome! something really cool and different. I LOVED going there it was like she was on a permanent holiday. Lovely big caravan park in the middle of the Yorkshire countryside - amazing views from the windows.

You face being evicted if you use a holiday caravan as a permanent home. It is a breach of the park's licence. There was a lot of bother about this in Hastings a few years ago.
www.google.com/amp/s/www.hastingsobserver.co.uk/news/council-in-talks-with-residents-facing-eviction-1-6757411/amp

I knew someone who lived on a private site once - the only downsides she found were storage (massive downsize), her particular site was a long way from public transport and it was a bit hairy in strong winds

Op, you know your own limits, expectations and what you can reasonably put up with better than strangers on the Internet. I sometimes think people forget what it's like to have no other option.

You are trying to make the best of your situation with what you have.

Another consideration you will need insurance, specialist insurer or maybe site does a sort of blanket policy. Electricity, get the costs from site owners, ours is expensive, cost of lpg canisters. The site you have in mind sounds ideal for kids.

Re: council tax. I can use my mum’s house as a permanent address and pay the top up amount as she currently gets a discount for being a single person so I would be contributing to council tax. Other people are permanent residents on site at the moment so it is something this site allows (I’m aware not all holiday sites do).

Like other people have said, they depreciate rapidly. My sister has just sold hers that she only got last August. She spent 50k with decking and a little shed. It didn't work out and she's tried selling it privately but no-one was interested so out of desperation she's had to sell it back to the park and came out with 20k. Also her heating bill was more than mine for a large 3 bedded house as you have to use the parks supplier.
Sorry, not trying to be negative and I understand your reasoning but make sure you do your homework first as they are really hard sell on these sites so talk to other owners about site fees (which you have to pay in advance) and heating, water etc.

Will definitely ask questions about heating costs. I know they depreciate but then rent is entirely empty money isn’t it so I’m seeing this as the same but somewhere I can stay a few years without a landlord being able to just move us on on a whim.