Full time question
I am looking for an opinion. I am wonderign is it possible to live full time in a camper. As in everyday. this would be used as my primary residence. I have seen some very very nice units and said...
Forum Discussion
I lived in my TC for a little over 5 years, four nights and three days per week. I lived in the parking lot where I worked, with no hookups. This was in the San Francisco bay area.
My commute was about 260 miles round trip. I could have rented a room for $1200 per month. My truck (when I began the job) was eight years old, I paid $14000 for it. I purchased a 11.5 foot 1988 Bigfoot TC for $1000. By todays standards it was stripped. I spent another $9000 on upgrades, including a 2000 Honda, A/C, solar and a $2500 jack system. That put me at about $23000 total. Keep in mind, I had to have a commute vehicle, truck or car. Either required insurance, license, maintenance, etc. With a TC, I could commute from RV Park to work.
With the apartment, I would have to commute to work from the apartment. The monthly rate at an RV Park was $400 per month. Keep in mind this is in the San Francisco bay area.
I had three options.
1. 5 years x $1200 per month (appt.)= $72000. Still must have a commute vehicle, and $72000 with no value at end of five years.
2. 5 years x $400 per month (RV Park)= $24000. Add cost of Truck and TC, about $23000, for a total of $47000. At the end of five years, I would have saved $25000 and still have the truck and TC.
3. 5 years x $0 per month (parking lot)= $000. Add cost of Truck and TC, about $23000, for a total of $23000. At the end of five years, I would have saved $47000 and still have the truck and TC.
I went with number 3. I am now retired (about 5 years), and I still have the Truck and TC. That gives me about 10 years, with the truck and TC paid for.
Hopefully, my experience will be of value to the OP. It was simple math for me. It is important to remember I eventually owned the truck and TC, and would never have any value in the apartment.
Wayne
My commute was about 260 miles round trip. I could have rented a room for $1200 per month. My truck (when I began the job) was eight years old, I paid $14000 for it. I purchased a 11.5 foot 1988 Bigfoot TC for $1000. By todays standards it was stripped. I spent another $9000 on upgrades, including a 2000 Honda, A/C, solar and a $2500 jack system. That put me at about $23000 total. Keep in mind, I had to have a commute vehicle, truck or car. Either required insurance, license, maintenance, etc. With a TC, I could commute from RV Park to work.
With the apartment, I would have to commute to work from the apartment. The monthly rate at an RV Park was $400 per month. Keep in mind this is in the San Francisco bay area.
I had three options.
1. 5 years x $1200 per month (appt.)= $72000. Still must have a commute vehicle, and $72000 with no value at end of five years.
2. 5 years x $400 per month (RV Park)= $24000. Add cost of Truck and TC, about $23000, for a total of $47000. At the end of five years, I would have saved $25000 and still have the truck and TC.
3. 5 years x $0 per month (parking lot)= $000. Add cost of Truck and TC, about $23000, for a total of $23000. At the end of five years, I would have saved $47000 and still have the truck and TC.
I went with number 3. I am now retired (about 5 years), and I still have the Truck and TC. That gives me about 10 years, with the truck and TC paid for.
Hopefully, my experience will be of value to the OP. It was simple math for me. It is important to remember I eventually owned the truck and TC, and would never have any value in the apartment.
Wayne
