Living In A Caravan

[BlownIt23]

Hello Everyone,

DH and I are thinking about buying a static caravan in Scotland, initially for holidays but, as we’re both in our 50’s, we’re thinking about relocating up there in a couple of years time to live and work until we retire.

My question is do any Mumsnetters live in caravans full time? The site we’d like to buy on has an 11 month season which means we have to be away from the caravan for 1 month every year. We also need a different residential address as the caravan can’t be classed as a permanent residence. I’m wondering how do people get round these restrictions and what do they use as a residential address elsewhere when they’re living in the caravan?

We could never afford to buy a house or get a mortgage but we have enough to buy a fairly newish static and live there as long as we both worked part time.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Hi blown it

We had a static on the Welsh mountains for a number of years and had a number of older friends who lived there for the 10 months it was open

Practically it worked fine, double glazing and central heating were totally adequate to about -3 degrees but after that gas and water connections would freeze leading to potential gas leaks

Damp was an issue but there are steps you can take to overcome this

Some residents had a postal system with the post office but we found the site office were quite happy to take parcels etc

you could always ask the local post office if they would use a post box attached to a deck if you have one

The biggest issue is depreciation and your own aging

Most sites only allow vans on for 10 years and take a percentage when you sell it

eventually all of our friends aged to the point that they had to move to a house some ending up in whatever the local authority could offer at the time

It was a lovely alternative existence but always seemed to end sadly, I guess you need a plan b for when you become too frail or can’t afford a new van

My mum lives in a caravan she has a postal address with my Granny who she often visits. Check you aren't affecting your relatives council tax and any benefits if you do this. For the time you must clear out the best option is to take a holiday then.
Be careful about the park, Mum's looks lovely but there are some problems if you live there all the time. Facilities are not very good and priority is given to the short-term holiday renters and those who buy an expensive lodge rather than the people who stay long-term in a normal caravan. They know these people don't have much option so they don't look after them very well.