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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:
MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 16:30

Sorry! I'll leave your thread alone after this.

This place seems to have some good ones, with some brand new ones with low starting prices(obviously will go up with French doors, double glazing ect)

www.ukcaravancentre.co.uk/search/?_sfm_minimum_price_option=1+86500&_sfm_beds=3

I like the look of the Regal sea scape one.

Zombieseverywhere · 04/10/2019 16:40

I lived in a static caravan for about 6 months whilst waiting for housing. I actually really enjoyed it, it was spacey enough for us although I only had one young child then.
X

Itsreallymehonest · 04/10/2019 16:41

I think it sounds lovely. There will always be plenty of other children for yours to play with. Just watch the rules on annual rents, site maintenance contributions and restrictions on age of caravans allowed.

Georgepigthedragon · 04/10/2019 19:24

I think it's a really sensible idea and I'm sure your kids would love it. It wouldn't have to be forever but would give you time to find your feet. People live in much worse situations. At least you would feel in control.

JoyceDivision · 04/10/2019 19:28

Could you stay with your message m a while to build up a deposit?

JoyceDivision · 04/10/2019 19:28

Mum.

Not message, mum.

Swatsup · 04/10/2019 19:35

Not read the whole thread so it could have been mentioned before but assuming you have the cash to buy something why not buy a buy to let in a cheaper area and then rent where you are? Or a cannal boat 😁

NearlyGranny · 04/10/2019 19:38

We have a site near us that is year round but it's for over 55s only.

As you're looking on a holiday park, there is one thing to bear in mind, I think, and that is the behaviour of lots of people when in holiday: boozy nights, noise and general carry on. With new folk next door every week or two, the holiday season could be exhausting! They don't have to get up and go to work in the morning but you do.

Check for sound insulation when you check for the other sort, and consider how close neighbouring vans are.

If you could find a nearby field or extra large garden and site your own van there it might be easier.

Good luck and well done on a creative idea to make life better for your family.

MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 20:11

Ok I'm back.......

this place is selling an ex demo 2019 model lodges with free delivery. It has side patio doors, so is cheaper to just get a side veranda.

sunriselodges.co.uk/product/2019-ex-demo-sunrise-lodge-t-plan-38x13-3-beds-shower-option/

Some rough figures (you may want a shorter/longer loan and find a better interest rate)

£28500 over 8 years at 6.2% APR = £374.95 a month

Site fees £3000 per year. I don't know if you will have to pay that up front? but you could save £250 a month for the following year.

monthly it comes to £625, plus what ever utilities will be. After 8 years you will be free to then save the £375.

because it's a 2019 model you'll get your max amount of years out of the site before it's 'too old'.

If you find a better job in the mean time, you could rent a house if you wanted and let your lodge out for holidays so it would pay for it's self.

itwaseverthus · 04/10/2019 20:16

I could have lived in my static full time, absolutely loved it. More or less lived there when doing up my old house, ds was a baby and it was so easy having everything to hand and not too much clutter, no stairs.

Do your research thoroughly re fees and if they can raise them at short notice. Gas central heating is a must really.

ConFusion360 · 04/10/2019 20:20

Ha ha! We paid 1800 for a static 12 years ago. It was eight years old at the time, so it's cost us £150 a year since then and will probably last another ten years

We laugh at depreciation Smile

livelyredjellybean · 04/10/2019 20:27

I live in a caravan. Yes it can be cold but we installed a log burner and it’s super toasty with that going! But if you rely on electric heaters it gets very expensive.

Space is an issue but you just learn to be restrictive with what you really need! Having said that, there’s only 2 adults and 1 toddler living here. Can’t comment on site fees etc as ours is on private land.

Original poster
PickledLilly · 04/10/2019 21:16

I love the idea of installing a little log burner, we have one of those now in our house and it does make the place really cosy.

I will go and thoroughly investigate site fees etc, I’ll look at what second hand ones they’ve got for sale already on site as they usually have a few for sale that are a manageable price.

As for the poster who thinks i’ll be investigated by social services for living in a double glazed heated caravan on a nice site with my well cared for children I can tell you that as someone who worked in children’s services for many years and knows a lot of social workers, they would all laugh their heads off at this suggestion. They honestly have better things to worry about, like people who actually neglect their children Hmm

OP posts:
MoobaaMoobaa · 04/10/2019 21:31

here's an info link www.parkhomeassist.co.uk/advice-on-buying-a-park-home

SamanthaJayne4 · 04/10/2019 23:16

DH and I lived in a static caravan when we got married. I loved it. We moved because a caravan caught fire and it worried us. I wish we had stayed there longer really. I think they are really quite safe as long as you have a smoke alarm. We only had an electric fire in the lounge and I don't remember being cold or having damp. They do get very hot in the summer unless someone is at home. Ours was closed up all day as we both worked. When we got home we used to dash about opening all the doors and windows. It was a residential site so we didn't have to go somewhere else at all. We had a small, enclosed garden with a shed. We didn't have much stuff as we both lived at home before we married. I recently went for a walk near the caravan park for a trip down memory lane. I noticed that some had fenced in the gap under the caravan so I imagine that makes quite a large storage space.

LeahSMS · 04/10/2019 23:20

I lived in a caravan for 2 years Blush horrendous!! Don’t do it! Constantly on top of each other. It’s freezing & absolutely no fun

MrsPworkingmummy · 04/10/2019 23:29

If your children are anything like mine, they'd love it! Make it out as an adventure, as if you're going on a long holiday. Your children will be loved, safe and secure; that's all that matters. You do what you need to do to keep you all safe and happy.

ConFusion360 · 04/10/2019 23:48

I noticed that some had fenced in the gap under the caravan so I imagine that makes quite a large storage space.

We stack logs in the gap. People have commented that it looks really neat.

LonginesPrime · 05/10/2019 02:39

Constantly on top of each other. It’s freezing & absolutely no fun

That depends on the caravan!

You can get lovely spacious ones with double glazing and central heating - mine is nicer than my house and far easier to clean.

Tavannach · 05/10/2019 02:58

I think it sounds fairly ingenious and doable. You could go on the council waiting list at the same time. I don't know if living in a caravan would help you move up the list faster.

raspberryk · 05/10/2019 03:07

You've been together 8 years and have children, you WILL be entitled to some equity.
I dismissed the park home idea for myself and managed to get a shared ownership house. Cheaper than renting and secure, plus my equity is growing all the time.

pumkinspicetime · 05/10/2019 03:58

they would all laugh their heads off at this suggestion. They honestly have better things to worry about,

This is true. Social workers care about dc having food, clean water, heat, bedding and reasonable living conditions.
We really don't give a hoot how people provide those for dc, houses, flats, house boats or caravans. They are all fine.

pumkinspicetime · 05/10/2019 04:00

But they are often more expensive than they initially seem. Shared ownership might be a better way forward.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 05/10/2019 04:40

What about a narrow boat instead? My mate bought one with a mortgage (you can get boat mortgages) and I think it was about 30k. Then you have mooring fees but I don't think they're too bad. Pretty poky I always thought and not for me but if you're desperate.

LoreleiRock · 05/10/2019 04:41

I would. I bloody love caravans. And they would have a pool and clubhouse so wouldn’t need huge bedrooms etc. My Nan lived in one and it was the warmest place I had ever been, even in winter.