Full Time RV in North Carolina Issues

R2V2 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Which CGs did you visit?

I just checked 2
***Link Removed***
***Link Removed***

BOTH of those have MONTHLY Rates and Topsail Sound listed an ANNUAL Rate

Your post doesn't jive with quick goggle search :H

On Edit:
First CG I checked in Holden Beach had MONTHLY Rate also ......something is fishy

Just because there is a monthly rate does not mean you can stay there permanently. As quoted by another person, topsail sound does not allow permanent residences. If they find out you are staying there permanently they will actually not renew your monthly or yearly agreement and force you out. There is nothing "fishy" about my statements at all this is all what we have encountered.

All of the "nicer" campgrounds, and some that "think" they are "nice" near the coast that we have called or visited say you can pay monthly or yearly, but you can not stay there monthly or yearly. You can leave your RV parked there and pay the monthly or annual rate but you must not be in your camper more than 183 days per year. I'm sure there are full time residents, but they are probably in the good graces of the park management or owners. We don't fit the "typical" full time rving stereotype for the area either, so I'm sure that definitely doesn't help.

We did encounter one park in particular that "off the record" allowed you to set up a permanent site, but the park was very sketch. The person at the desk actually had meth mouth, and the maintenance guy looked pretty tweaked. The grounds were run down and very dirty.

I am not trying to sound like I am riding my high horse by no means but I can not in good conscience raise a family, although temporarily in a ground that appears shady or drug infested. I know what these areas are like because I spent my childhood in poverty, and we were forced to live in these areas until I was able to make my own way in life as an adult.

I have researched this more thoroughly and have come across 2 details that affect this full time rving. One - RVs are not approved by goverment standards to be suitable for permanent residence. Two - according to law, an RV in a park does not constitute as a physical address, and Po boxes do not count.

Our plan was to purchase a new RV. This would allow us to enter nearly any park even those that have camper age restrictions. Sell our current home. Use our savings to live comfortably for 3-6 months until we get a job that we enjoy and keeps us financial stable. (If we could not, our current employer could find a spot for us with in the company as a fail safe, but we don't want that.)

Since our daughter is school age, we would like her to be enrolled in that particular school district that the RV is parked in. After 18 months or so, we would have accrued enough money to purchase an actual home in that area and then use our RV as an actual RV or as temporary housing for family when they want to drive to the coast to visit or vacation.

Our entire motive for this is family. We have grown tired of the "more money, equals more success" mentality that has been forced down our throats since childhood. We want a situation that lets us be a family in a place we enjoy being, and actually be a "family" not just give the appearance of one. By the time you equate out the 9-10 hour workdays, the 6-7 day work weeks, the 2 hour commutes, and the stress that accumulates with having the particular jobs we have, our family has devolved to just having a late 7 o'clock dinner, and hitting the bed by 9. That's about it.

Thanks to all that have replied and who can lend some insight into this situation. I apologize for getting a little editorial in my post, but the frustration of all this is a bit overwhelming.

Have you considered living at 2 different nearby campgrounds in a calendar year? Might be a simple solution to your lifestyle problem.
Not editorialising. You live your life and I live my own:).

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Which CGs did you visit?

I just checked 2
***Link Removed***
***Link Removed***

BOTH of those have MONTHLY Rates and Topsail Sound listed an ANNUAL Rate

Your post doesn't jive with quick goggle search :H

On Edit:
First CG I checked in Holden Beach had MONTHLY Rate also ......something is fishy

Just because there is a monthly rate does not mean you can stay there permanently. As quoted by another person, topsail sound does not allow permanent residences. If they find out you are staying there permanently they will actually not renew your monthly or yearly agreement and force you out. There is nothing "fishy" about my statements at all this is all what we have encountered.

All of the "nicer" campgrounds, and some that "think" they are "nice" near the coast that we have called or visited say you can pay monthly or yearly, but you can not stay there monthly or yearly. You can leave your RV parked there and pay the monthly or annual rate but you must not be in your camper more than 183 days per year. I'm sure there are full time residents, but they are probably in the good graces of the park management or owners. We don't fit the "typical" full time rving stereotype for the area either, so I'm sure that definitely doesn't help.

We did encounter one park in particular that "off the record" allowed you to set up a permanent site, but the park was very sketch. The person at the desk actually had meth mouth, and the maintenance guy looked pretty tweaked. The grounds were run down and very dirty.

I am not trying to sound like I am riding my high horse by no means but I can not in good conscience raise a family, although temporarily in a ground that appears shady or drug infested. I know what these areas are like because I spent my childhood in poverty, and we were forced to live in these areas until I was able to make my own way in life as an adult.

I have researched this more thoroughly and have come across 2 details that affect this full time rving. One - RVs are not approved by goverment standards to be suitable for permanent residence. Two - according to law, an RV in a park does not constitute as a physical address, and Po boxes do not count.

Our plan was to purchase a new RV. This would allow us to enter nearly any park even those that have camper age restrictions. Sell our current home. Use our savings to live comfortably for 3-6 months until we get a job that we enjoy and keeps us financial stable. (If we could not, our current employer could find a spot for us with in the company as a fail safe, but we don't want that.)

Since our daughter is school age, we would like her to be enrolled in that particular school district that the RV is parked in. After 18 months or so, we would have accrued enough money to purchase an actual home in that area and then use our RV as an actual RV or as temporary housing for family when they want to drive to the coast to visit or vacation.

Our entire motive for this is family. We have grown tired of the "more money, equals more success" mentality that has been forced down our throats since childhood. We want a situation that lets us be a family in a place we enjoy being, and actually be a "family" not just give the appearance of one. By the time you equate out the 9-10 hour workdays, the 6-7 day work weeks, the 2 hour commutes, and the stress that accumulates with having the particular jobs we have, our family has devolved to just having a late 7 o'clock dinner, and hitting the bed by 9. That's about it.

Thanks to all that have replied and who can lend some insight into this situation. I apologize for getting a little editorial in my post, but the frustration of all this is a bit overwhelming.

Sorry double post

I live at holden beach, but not in a cg. I know people who do live full time in a cg here. Don't know but would think it is legal. There are two right on highway 130 but don't recall the name

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Which CGs did you visit?

I just checked 2
Topsail Sound RV Park
Laniers Campground

BOTH of those have MONTHLY Rates and Topsail Sound listed an ANNUAL Rate

Your post doesn't jive with quick goggle search :H

On Edit:
First CG I checked in Holden Beach had MONTHLY Rate also ......something is fishy

Topsail FAQ: #23 Lessee acknowledges and represents that Lessee’s recreational vehicle shall not be used as a permanent residence and that said recreational vehicle will only be used as a temporary living quarters.

Which CGs did you visit?

I just checked 2
Topsail Sound RV Park
Laniers Campground

BOTH of those have MONTHLY Rates and Topsail Sound listed an ANNUAL Rate

Your post doesn't jive with quick goggle search :H

On Edit:
First CG I checked in Holden Beach had MONTHLY Rate also ......something is fishy

Many people live and travel full time in RV's. Nurses, pipeline workers, welders. We have met many of them. They home school their children. As long as you have a permanent address (most people use mail forwarding services) there should not be a problem. Most beach campgrounds make more money with short term rentals. Most of the zoning restrictions for RV parking in residential areas is from the city or county. It usually says something like it has to be stored out of sight from the street and you can't live in it (sleep, etc). However, most also state something like only in licensed designated RV parks. Look for a long term park. Might not find any on the beach. There are plenty inland. Look for a park that rents monthly. They usually charge extra for electricity. For example the RV park we're in near Raleigh charges $500 per month plus electricity at 14 cents per KWH. Plenty of people living here full time. Look on www.woodalls.com for the area and go to each campground's website and look for monthly rates.

Can't speak for NC rules, but I stayed at a campground in SC, right over the NC/SC border. School children there.

CPS...find that hard to believe BUT, here again, you are talking NC rules. In Florida, I worked for social services. During my employment, living in a rv fulltime, would have not been an issue. If you want a straight answer, call local CPS office, ask to talk to a supervisor (not a worker or receptionist) and pose the question to her or him. Notate date, time, # called and to whom you talked to, for future refernce.

Sounds like you are putting good planning into this. Good luck.

Edited by Barb