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

[breeves2245]

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.

[2Rad4U]

breeves2245 wrote:
I just called five or so RV campgrounds for rates. Everyone is full, no vacancy. In the middle of winter? They said a lot of construction going on so temporary workers fill them up.

This sure throws a wrench in the plan.

Widen your area until you find one.

[breeves2245]

I just called five or so RV campgrounds for rates. Everyone is full, no vacancy. In the middle of winter? They said a lot of construction going on so temporary workers fill them up.

This sure throws a wrench in the plan.

[edbehnke]

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/north-carolina/hickory lots of campgrounds, just look.

get a USED 5th wheel and have it moved to where you want it.

https://www.rvtrader.com/Used-RVs/rvs-for-sale?type=Fifth%20Wheel%7C198070&condition=U&zip=27010&radius=400

[lots2seeinmyrv]

Rent a Studio Apartment month to month. Go start the job. See if you like it and it will last the 2 years.

Scout out the area and the RV parks during your off time. Make sure they allow full-time RV residents.

If you find a park you like, reserve a spot and then go buy the camper.

[2Rad4U]

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
$20,000 for the trailer.
$ 7,200 lot rent @ $300 a month.
Maintenance cost for the trailer.
Electric bill either way

Being able to pull the camper to the mountains or beach for a weekend?

Priceless

[NRALIFR]

It’s a workable plan, but I wouldn’t want to do it for that long in any camper with a wet bath. I’ve spent 3-6 months at a time in truck campers with both wet and dry bath arrangements, and I much preferred the dry baths for long term stays. I was always by myself as well, so having a larger type of RV just wasn’t needed.

Many of the private RV parks I’ve experienced have had at least a handful of long term residents. Their monthly rates have always been quite attractive. When I moved from Georgia to Arkansas about 20 years ago, I stayed at the North Little Rock KOA in my TC for the first 4-5 months. If I remember right their monthly rate was less than $300, full hookups included.

If the need arose I would do it again the same way. I hate apartment living. Best of luck to you!

:):)

[wanderingaimles]

$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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.