Caravan to live whilst working away.

AnotherJoe

I would lodge. Why lock yourself into owning a caravan which as maths above has shown isn't actually that cheap. Instead find lodgings, and just do the commute twice a week. At least try that for awhile first , if doesn't work out find different lodgings, and only if it's really not good then rent a caravan or try the other idea someone had, long term rental ofa holiday cottage out if season and renta caravan in the summer.

DugIntoBeetroot

Hi Guys,


Thanks for all the replies. Very imformative!



I am due to go to the site on Sunday for a mooch. Also going to view a few rooms to let. I won't be going until September, so I have plenty of time to find the most cost effective option. I'll also get more information from the guy at the park regarding the suitability of the caravan over winter.


My work do not offer any accommodation as it is a voluntary move, so I need to find my own. Don't know any of the guys I work with and probably won't meet them until my first week.



My only issue about shared accomidation is the distance from my work. At the caravan park I could walk on a nice day, but any rooms to let are at least a 20/30 min drive, which costs fuel.


I also thought of a motorhome, but that costs more money, with a suitable one coming in at around £30k. I will also need to do quite a bit of work in the evenings, so will need space to spread out which the motorhome restricts. Also, don't want to be the guy turning up in his accommodation every day. I know that sounds silly, but I do want to make a good impression. After a couple of months I may change my mind though and decide on a motorhome.


My wife is keen on the caravan as she wants to visit at the weekend and during the week when shifts allow. It is a very beautiful part of the country with lost of cycling, running and walking routes which we both do a lot of. My parents have also said they may help abit out if they get to use it every second weekend and for holidays whilst I am away.


I think whatever I do, I will be wasting money. Don't have the funds to buy another property which would have been the best option.

need_an_answer

DugIntoBeetroot wrote: »

Hi Guys,








My wife is keen on the caravan as she wants to visit at the weekend and during the week when shifts allow. It is a very beautiful part of the country with lost of cycling, running and walking routes which we both do a lot of. My parents have also said they may help abit out if they get to use it every second weekend and for holidays whilst I am away.

Your wife and possibly your parents are seeing this as a holiday opportunity, the reality is going to be so different.

It wont be about your wife visiting for long walks and a cycling break as her shifts and weekends allow,it will be about visiting you with a coolbag full of batch cooked food and a mountain of washing that she has done during the week and returned to you as the caravan you are planning on living in is limited to minimal cooking facilities and has no means of washing clothes or bedding....except perhaps if you are lucky enough to be on a site with a launderette,where you will spend your weekends waiting for an available machine and paying a fortune to dry the stuff whilst your wife is of walking and cycling!

Caravans have a purpose and that's for living in for a short period of time,a few weeks,maybe a little longer in summer...but they are not meant for long term living and certainly not for a 3 year stretch.


If they were viable for longterm living as you seem to think,then believe me the housing crisis that affects many on council waiting lists could be very easily solved by more use of caravan parks and the suchlike.
The cynic in me also questions why we don't make more use of caravans when for example students sign up to a 3 year degree course....it would have saved me a fortune in student accommodation for my offspring!

Static park homes fair a little better although it is extremely unlikely that you will find one within your £15k budget

Gwendo40

If it has 12 month residential occupancy use then doesn't that you are liable to pay council tax?

need_an_answer

Gwendo40 wrote: »

If it has 12 month residential occupancy use then doesn't that you are liable to pay council tax?

I think you may be correct,which is what made me question the "shutdown" period in my first reply post.


OP...is there no way that you could arrange to work from home for even 2 days a week.
Whilst you say the move is a voluntary one,I really am struggling to see that any job lasting 3 years at such a distance from your family home cant come with any compromises....or at least the salary that affords you some form of sustainable living whilst away.

Ozzuk

Depreciation could be a lot more than that - and don't forget you won't be able to offer 1 year free fees.

My dad did this, but worked on the campsite so a little different - but even then it was getting really expensive.

How about a 'normal' caravan, you can get something really nice for 5-7k, but you'll have to find a park willing to do a deal on long stay or it could be expensive. The bonus is you take the caravan with you, or any issues move sites.

Spend more money and you're in nice twin axle territory.

AnotherJoe

DugIntoBeetroot wrote: »

Hi Guys,


Thanks for all the replies. Very imformative!

I am due to go to the site on Sunday for a mooch. Also going to view a few rooms to let. I won't be going until September, so I have plenty of time to find the most cost effective option. I'll also get more information from the guy at the park regarding the suitability of the caravan over winter.
OH goodness, let me guess,when you sign up to buy it, whether he says its gloriously cosy and warm, or not.


My work do not offer any accommodation as it is a voluntary move, so I need to find my own. Don't know any of the guys I work with and probably won't meet them until my first week.

My only issue about shared accomidation is the distance from my work. At the caravan park I could walk on a nice day, but any rooms to let are at least a 20/30 min drive, which costs fuel.
If an hours fuel is an issue for you with this new job, why on earth have you taken it?


I also thought of a motorhome, but that costs more money, with a suitable one coming in at around £30k. I will also need to do quite a bit of work in the evenings, so will need space to spread out which the motorhome restricts. Also, don't want to be the guy turning up in his accommodation every day. I know that sounds silly, but I do want to make a good impression. After a couple of months I may change my mind though and decide on a motorhome.

My wife is keen on the caravan as she wants to visit at the weekend and during the week when shifts allow. It is a very beautiful part of the country with lost of cycling, running and walking routes which we both do a lot of. My parents have also said they may help abit out if they get to use it every second weekend and for holidays whilst I am away.

I think whatever I do, I will be wasting money. Don't have the funds to buy another property which would have been the best option.

I think your wife has rosy tinted spectacles turned to 11, (how will her drive go on a Friday afternoon at 5pm in November -Feb in the dark and back on Monday morning, welcome to commute 4 hour traffic hell, and the walks that weekend when the rain is horizontal?)


Why,exactly are you taking this job? You'll live in substandard accommodation, it doesn't pay enough more to afford a decent (say) 1 bed flat or house) , you are even contemplating living in a van (in Winter !!!!!!?).

need_an_answer

Oh Joe,I guess neither you nor I are what could be termed as "natural campers"!


but then again if the OP has never owned one,he's unlikely to have spent a considerable time in one either and admits to not knowing what he's doing

3 years is one hell of a long time


OP...its not I don't have experience of camping I've seen this nomadic lifestyle collapse after a couple who were seasoned campers decided to spend 12 weeks in one last year!

hazyjo

Sod that, I'd rather buy a house and risk the market than live in a caravan for 3 years :eek: Each to their own!


OP, have you looked on airbnb? Might find someone willing to accept a fixed rate for a long period of time.

AnotherJoe

OP just to add, you wrote

I am 32 and can't face the thought of going back into a houseshare (fun when I was younger).

And yet not only are you considering instead of a warm house a caravan, you are thinking of living in a van ! Which are wholly unsuitable for winter living BTW and make a house share seem like luxury.
Are you sure you've thought this job move through?