AIBU to move family into caravan?

[mumofbeagles]

DH and I currently own a 3 bedroom House in the south east. This has recently been sold STC etc and we currently can not afford to buy in the area we want to. Fab schools, loads of green space. It's the country life we want.
Would it be ludicrous to buy a 3 bedroom caravan and move us, our two children, dog and two cats into it?
We will get a reasonable amount out of our house for a deposit, but until youngest Is in school etc I am limited hours I can work etc.
So after much discussion PIL have offered to gift us 1 acre of land for us to put caravan on. It's in the area we want to live etc.
Getting the caravan would mean we would be able to double if not treble our savings potential. So that we can find our dream home and not be mortgaged up to the eyeballs. It would likely be short term 2-3 years. Until my earning potential goes up and so does the deposit.
What are you thoughts, those that have lived 'off grid' what advise would you give
TIA

I did this for 3 months whilst house sale was going through, however we are avid campers so it was like a giant holiday for us!

We loved it

What about electric, water and erm.... disposal of effluent?

I wouldn't see a problem with that. Have you worked out logistics of running water and electricity?

I would.

Sounds a good idea.

What if the houses you want to buy go up in value and you've sold and are spending money would you still be able to afford what you want?

Why not? If you have land and can hook the caravan up to water, sewage, electric and internet - go for it!

I'd also consider a 4 bedroom caravan to give you extra space

Sounds fun ! Do it

So there is electricity and water already there just a case of plumbing and wiring everything in.
DH has been looking into putting in a septic tank type. Which is do able and not huge money although not cheap.
DS would have acres and acres of land to explore. It's his idea of heaven

How old are your kids? Young enough that it would be an adventure? Or old enough to be embarrassed by it?

Would you be able to build a house onnthe acre of land your pil gifted you?
I would do it. Friends of ours did this - they lived in a nice mobile home on the site of their new house. It worked well for them and saved thousands.

Wouldn't it be better to rent th

My sister did this and it almost ruined her relationship.
I imagine for some people it would work well but if you are the sort of family that value space or you have quite boisterous children then I'd think about whether you can handle such a small environment. Especially over winter where the children are less likely to be outside... it was the wet miserable winter that almost did my sister in.

On the other hand I know other people have done this and its been a roaring success. It just depends on what sort of family you are.

Children are 4 and 1. So still adventure stage. There is the potential to build, which is also on our minds but would need to save more then we currently have to do the build etc so static home could work until money is saved etc, and we could live in it whilst it's being built

I definitely would. You can probably pick up an older static caravan for next to nothing. They seem to really depreciate in value and lots of sites are quite strict about the age and condition.

Sorry, mishap with fingers. Has the sale gone through? Would renting it out be a better option so you are keeping apace with the property market?

Do you mean a static caravan? If so I would say definitely. I owned a three bed one and could have easily lived in it. It did have everything plumbed in though, plus central heating and power shower. Would you have a wood burner? Absolutely freezing without heating and not doable for any extended period.

Where would you register for school applications, council tax, banking, driving licences etc?

I'd do it in a heart beat.

If I had the offer of land to do this I would jump at the chance. There's loads of youtube families (mostly US based) doing it if you want some inspiration. Is there the option to build on the land down the line?

How long is the intention of staying there? A friend did this whilst completing a self-build, she said winters were unbearable. Not just the cold, but the cooped up together when weather didn’t allow for open doors and outdoor play.

Would you have a postal address or is it close enough to use your inlaws?
For admission to school you have to be living at the address you state or it would be seen as fraudulent (I'm an admissions appeal panellist)

@Diverseduvet

Do you mean a static caravan? If so I would say definitely. I owned a three bed one and could have easily lived in it. It did have everything plumbed in though, plus central heating and power shower. Would you have a wood burner? Absolutely freezing without heating and not doable for any extended period.

I do mean a static caravan. DH keeps telling me off for saying caravan. DH has stated wood burner is a must have.

We lead a very outdoors lifestyle and are often walking the dog etc on the land and making dens anyway

Sorry - just saw your time frame. I wouldn’t, but maybe you are braver than I!