Full Time RV in North Carolina Issues

[R2V2]

Hello all. This is my first post but I have been reading through some posts in this section. I have also used the search function but can not seem to find what I am looking for, so let me explain.

My fiance, 5 year old daughter, and I are looking to downsize, drastically. We both currently work 45 hours per week, with no real set schedule and our family structure has diminished. We currently bring in a combined 100K per year, with over 30K in savings. But at the end of the day we have come to the realization that money does not even come close to happiness.

So we came up with the idea of buying a new 5th wheel or travel trailer, and moving to the beach. Primarily anywhere between Topsail and Holden. We decided to take the day off from work together, which never happens, and make the drive down to the coast to view a few campgrounds and some trailers for sale. We want something semi-permanent...maybe 1-2 years until we get established in new jobs we actually like, then we would probably re-buy something small inland, and use the camper as a weekend retreat.

When I was around 20-21 I lived in a tent at a camp ground for 6 months, and my buddy And his 2 kids lived beside me in camper for a couple years. With that being said I have some experience with campgrounds.

So we made the trip and visited a few campgrounds, some we liked, some we loved, some we hated. But every campground we visited said no one was allowed to live full time at any of them. They kept saying it was against NC law to live permanently in an RV. I researched this and can not find any evidence to refute it. I also read something stating that if your child lives in a camper that CPS could get involved because technically you are homeless.

Anyways can anyone give some insight into this issue? Is there anything we can do to make this a reality, or are our hands tied?

[Teacher_s_Pet]

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.

[Old-Biscuit]

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

[sdianel_-acct_c]

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.

[LadyRVer]

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