I am meeting the president of a company tomorrow for lunch and he will have a job offer for me. I live in Northwest Arkansas and the job is in Conover, NC. Since I learned of the pending offer a few days ago I have been trying to talk myself into moving. This will be a two year gig which is just perfect because I plan to retire Jan 2021. I live in a great area now and want to retire in Northwest Arkansas. So I don't want to sell my house nor am I keen on renting it out. I was prepared to tell him I could not take the job because I don't want to sell or rent my home. But at 2:20 am this morning I woke up worrying about all this and it came to me. Hey, buy a small used travel trailer (like a Casita) and find a long term camp site close enough to my job. I'm a single Joe, just me so that makes everything much easier.I have no type of RV now but having researched more hours than you can imagine with my pending retirement I am very familar with my options of Class A,B,C, Truck Camper, etc. I have a Silverdao 1500, so a truck camper is out due to payload and I would want more room for this long term deal.Here is the big question - if I buy a small travel trailer can I stay at an RV park full time? I see some close enough to work. Please advise me of a solution involving a low cost RV (under 20k) and any ideas how to arrange this. I would be thrilled to take the job, live in a great area at the Blue Ridge Mountains and not sell/rent my house.Thanks for any wisdom you may be able to share.

I would say research RV parks in the area to see if they even offer seasonal/full time RVing. Give them a call if your questions aren't answered on their website. As far as size goes, think about that idea of getting a small trailer. You'll be living in it every day for 2 years. If more space is what you need, for $20k you could get a slightly used bigger trailer.Do you plan on RVing more or full time RVing when you do retire? If so, do you buy your retirement rig now?

I am hoping I can live in the RV park and work from home. How the time frame gets split up is to be determined. So I may be able to get by on a smaller trailer if I'm there only a couple weeks at a time. But you make a good point about thinking about a larger trailer. This scenario gives me 100% flexibility and I get to start my RV life while working full-time. If he will go for it, and I think he will, this is exciting.A quick glance shows several RV parks close to Conover. My future RV life is in two phases. First is just me and I'm thinking a small travel trailer for touring the US, mainly the west. When my buddy is ready to retire a couple years later, we are thinking about a Class C. Then I may sell my travel trailer and get a truck/truck camper for myself to do fishing trips to various lakes.I've done a ton of research but long term RV parks was not one of the topics. So I'm kinda starting from scratch.

If you are going to "work from home" in an RV park I am assuming you will be using the internet heavily? Make sure about internet access.

I would never try to talk anyone out of buying an rv, but did you consider an apartment? My brother was in a similar situation, was planning to retire and sold his house before he did. He rented a furnished apartment of if Airbnb.Since you’re planning this in a multiphase fashion, it might be cheaper and save some aggravation in selling the tt.

I wish you could see my 24' Jayco trailer, it has plenty of floor space with a huge walk in corner shower. A tiny trailer with the toilet in the shower are not for me.

I need some help quick - got a job offer coming-need advice

30 Replies

wanderingaimles
Explorer
Dec 31, 2018
$20,000 for the trailer.
$ 7,200 lot rent @ $300 a month.
Maintenance cost for the trailer.
Electric bill either way,

After 2 years of occupancy, how much do you see the trailer being worth?

If you sell the trailer for $7,000 due to wear, you are still looking at a $20+ k cost for two years versus a rental location. Roughly $900 a month.
There are quite a few homes and apartments in that area for rent at about that same number.
And you wouldn't be fighting to keep it warm and cool the way you would with a small trailer.

https://www.rent.com/north-carolina/conover-houses/max-price-1000

If this is meant to allow you to test RV life it may have value to you, but for purposes of frugality it likely doesn't.
bid_time
Nomad II
Dec 31, 2018
Go for it, you can work out the details as you go. I would mostly be concerned about how cold it gets and keeping pipes from freezing- espeially when you are not there. TT's are not well insulated, this should be your primary concern.
2Rad4U
Explorer III
Dec 31, 2018
Charlotte would be a great place to pull this off - good weather and you should have plenty of parks available.

If I was in your situation, I wouldn't hesitate. I would recommend a larger TT though, just to make it more comfortable.

I would need a recliner or reclining love seat if I was staying in the unit full time.
Scottiemom
Nomad
Dec 31, 2018
I feel certain you can find a park open all year. I don't know how cold it gets in that part of NC, but you will just have to prepare for the weather regardless. I think it all sounds do-able and wish you the best. A lot of people travel for their jobs and live in RV's in parks while fulfilling that commitment.

Dale
breeves2245
Explorer
Dec 31, 2018
I will not be "working from home" in the RV park but commuting to the office. I would work from home when I return to Northwest Arkansas.

Today I will be calling various parks to see what the rates are for monthly and annual passes to see what makes sense.

Renting a furnished apt and still paying my mortgage would much more expensive. Plus it would take the fun out of the adventure. When I'm there, I can explore the area with my travel trailer for an overnight if needed.
Gulfcoast
Explorer
Dec 31, 2018
I wish you could see my 24' Jayco trailer, it has plenty of floor space with a huge walk in corner shower.

A tiny trailer with the toilet in the shower are not for me.
jfkmk
Explorer
Dec 31, 2018
I would never try to talk anyone out of buying an rv, but did you consider an apartment? My brother was in a similar situation, was planning to retire and sold his house before he did. He rented a furnished apartment of if Airbnb.

Since you’re planning this in a multiphase fashion, it might be cheaper and save some aggravation in selling the tt.
Tvov
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2018
If you are going to "work from home" in an RV park I am assuming you will be using the internet heavily? Make sure about internet access.
breeves2245
Explorer
Dec 31, 2018
I am hoping I can live in the RV park and work from home. How the time frame gets split up is to be determined. So I may be able to get by on a smaller trailer if I'm there only a couple weeks at a time. But you make a good point about thinking about a larger trailer.

This scenario gives me 100% flexibility and I get to start my RV life while working full-time. If he will go for it, and I think he will, this is exciting.

A quick glance shows several RV parks close to Conover.

My future RV life is in two phases. First is just me and I'm thinking a small travel trailer for touring the US, mainly the west. When my buddy is ready to retire a couple years later, we are thinking about a Class C. Then I may sell my travel trailer and get a truck/truck camper for myself to do fishing trips to various lakes.

I've done a ton of research but long term RV parks was not one of the topics. So I'm kinda starting from scratch.
atomlinson
Explorer
Dec 31, 2018
I would say research RV parks in the area to see if they even offer seasonal/full time RVing. Give them a call if your questions aren't answered on their website.

As far as size goes, think about that idea of getting a small trailer. You'll be living in it every day for 2 years. If more space is what you need, for $20k you could get a slightly used bigger trailer.

Do you plan on RVing more or full time RVing when you do retire? If so, do you buy your retirement rig now?

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I need some help quick - got a job offer coming-need advice

30 Replies

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