Campground costs
In anticipation of possibly full timing in retirement I am doing some playing with budgets. Other than the RV loan (no I can't pay cash, and no my home has not been an appreciating asset so a loan is ...
Forum Discussion
nazpaz has the right idea.
We're fulltimers in our 14th year and belong to a remaining 3 of 6 original CG membership programs which we bought into 12 years ago at a serious discount. TT was not considered at the time nor would we consider it now. Far more expensive buy-in than necessary, even on the aftermarket. We still only use our memberships about 1/2 the time, using monthly rates at serious discounts otherwise.
I just calculated what we've spent in YTD 2014 in nightly fees, membership dues, and even included amortization of the original buy-ins over 12 years. A whopping $3.57/night. Not a misprint and that includes electric when we've had to pay for it additionally , which has been rarely. Although we used to do a fair amount of boodocking, we have only done a handful of nights in '14.
You have to do a lot of homework to save money, but you can do it significantly.
We're currently in a county park in N. central FL right on the Suwanee river. (Think state park setting). In the center of a 650 acre forested preserve, we are among 150 sites, roughly 20 of them occupied as it's off season, don't ya' know. 75 today and low 70's predicted for the next 10 days. Around 40 for the nights. So quiet here you can hear the proverbial pin drop even during the day.
All this including typical amenities plus an indoor heated pool, included wi-fi, at least 10 miles of hiking trails and including electric. $375/month. At $12.10/night, this is the most expensive we will have done all year. We're not complaining. :)
To be sure, this isn't for everyone. If you are the go-go-go, social, on-site "activities" sort, this type of place is not for you and you'll probably pay way more for the "thrill" of available bingo. We hike an average of 5 miles/day but otherwise really enjoy life in the slow lane.
Good luck to you whichever route you choose to take and remember that nothing is graven in stone.
We're fulltimers in our 14th year and belong to a remaining 3 of 6 original CG membership programs which we bought into 12 years ago at a serious discount. TT was not considered at the time nor would we consider it now. Far more expensive buy-in than necessary, even on the aftermarket. We still only use our memberships about 1/2 the time, using monthly rates at serious discounts otherwise.
I just calculated what we've spent in YTD 2014 in nightly fees, membership dues, and even included amortization of the original buy-ins over 12 years. A whopping $3.57/night. Not a misprint and that includes electric when we've had to pay for it additionally , which has been rarely. Although we used to do a fair amount of boodocking, we have only done a handful of nights in '14.
You have to do a lot of homework to save money, but you can do it significantly.
We're currently in a county park in N. central FL right on the Suwanee river. (Think state park setting). In the center of a 650 acre forested preserve, we are among 150 sites, roughly 20 of them occupied as it's off season, don't ya' know. 75 today and low 70's predicted for the next 10 days. Around 40 for the nights. So quiet here you can hear the proverbial pin drop even during the day.
All this including typical amenities plus an indoor heated pool, included wi-fi, at least 10 miles of hiking trails and including electric. $375/month. At $12.10/night, this is the most expensive we will have done all year. We're not complaining. :)
To be sure, this isn't for everyone. If you are the go-go-go, social, on-site "activities" sort, this type of place is not for you and you'll probably pay way more for the "thrill" of available bingo. We hike an average of 5 miles/day but otherwise really enjoy life in the slow lane.
Good luck to you whichever route you choose to take and remember that nothing is graven in stone.
