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?

[noplace2]

Thunder Mountain wrote:
I read the word "new" fifth wheel. Don't, don't buy new. Find a good clean unit around three years old. Anything is better than the depreciation on a new unit the first three years.

Amen!

[2gypsies1]

You might just want to find your new home in a family-type mobile home park. There are many very nice ones. If you both work your child need to attend school and needs children to be around. You won't be able to bounce around between different parks to satisfy the year-round rule in NC. Also, if you only have $30,000 savings I'd recommend that you not put it into a RV. Think your plans out carefully.

[hitchup]

We've lived in multiple cities in NC fulltme in the RV with FL plates. The county laws were trying to discourage long-term 1-2 yrs as far back as 2005-06, they tried to distinguish between Mobile Home Parks (permanent) and RV Parks (temporary) as housing.

Statesville was where we first heard it. Yet, a few years later, in Charlotte, it was actually an old MHP that we stayed in. They would move out an old trailer and turn it into an RV spot. In between, we also "lived" in Mt Airy.

Try approaching it with we'd like to stay on your monthly rate, but we have no idea how long we're staying and see what they say.

I also will add, don't look at NEW because when it's time to sell in 1-2 yrs, you may not be able to sell if for what you owe. RV's depreciate really bad.

[Stormy_Eyes]

If it is all about family and you want to stay in NC, full time rv might not be the optimal fit. How about selling the house, and renting a basic apartment in a good school district while searching for that improved life balance? Might be easier on the savings than a new rv and lot costs, and easier on the mind without worries about CPS.

[steamyb]

I live in NC & plan to full-time w/ my wife. We have medical issues and family here. Changing domicile is not an option (wife is technically employed but out on workers comp.). Adult Kids are grown and gone. I have a '98 Class A, a Master Tow & a Honda Accord. I will get a UPS address and have 3 CGs close to Drs. for a 'Home Base'. By controlling appt. scheduling, we can travel 6-7 weeks at a time.
If you could change domicile (FL, SD or TX), you would be 'vacationing' in NC. Just find CGs in the school district you want your daughter to attend and move the camper every other month or so. Mail will be forwarded to you and no state income tax with those domicile states. NC laws will have marginal effect on you, you are a 'tourist'. There is a difference between a domicile state and where you actually live, most full-timers rarely go 'home'. Just an idea for you, hope it helps.
Update: 12/22/16- This is just to let folks know that full-time is possible in NC, we are now full-time and in NC. Only problems so far is the age of the RV- I wish I had bought a newer model- it's hard to get parts. But since this is our first RV and we didn't want to get in too deep, I think I have done OK. I Love It (the RV and the Lifestyle), even though the RV is old- so am I! And it is better than a rocking chair at the 'Home'!

[doxiemom11]

My understanding is that there is some tax ramification for the rv park owner if he/she allows full-time residence in the park. Then taxed like a mobile home park or something. The annual rates usually stated that you have use of your RV for 6 months and it's stored and not in use the other 6 months. At least that's what I have seen when checking out websites in various states.

[Thunder_Mountai]

I read the word "new" fifth wheel. Don't, don't buy new. Find a good clean unit around three years old. Anything is better than the depreciation on a new unit the first three years.

[olcoon]

From the sounds of things, NC laws, and/or zoning, may possibly prevent this, but have you considered buying a lot, having utilities installed, and parking it on your own property? May not work in the city limits, but possibly just outside city limits in a rural area.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

this article may help. It's about tiny houses but explains that in NC you cannot live permanently in an RV on wheels. It has to be on a slab. So you either have to move it every 6 months or move to another state, or purchase a mobile home on a slab that meets zoning codes. http://wfae.org/post/big-challenges-tiny-houses-north-carolina

[2_Retired]

I feel for your situation. I am also not aware of the laws in NC, but I do know in NJ and in SC it is not legal to claim a campground site as a permanent residence. "Annual Rates" reflect the right to use a campsite for a full year's time, but there are limits as to how many consecutive nights one may be there. We had a 'permanent site' at a CG in NJ for many years, and were restricted by local ordinance and CG rules to no more than 14 consecutive nights at any one time. The CG itself shut off all water in the winter months, due to weather realities, so living there over the winter would have been a great challenge indeed! We had to live in a CG in Myrtle Beach, SC for almost 3 months waiting for our new home to be finished. There were no children involved, and it was over the winter into early Spring, the 'low season', so we received a very reasonable rate. As Spring Break days approached, however, the rates skyrocketed and the owner told us he 'needed our site for others'. Knew what he meant. He was very nice about it, but we couldn't afford to be there anymore. Have you thought about the possibility of finding a piece of land to lease (or buy) where you could create your own site with water, sewer, etc? I know that is legal in SC. May have zoning issues in some communities, and the cost may not fit into your budget, but there are some who do just that. Might be another avenue to pursue. Admire the thoroughness of your research. Family should come first, and that seems very much like what you are both doing.

[NYCgrrl]

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:).

[R2V2]

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.

[riven1950]

Sorry double post

[riven1950]

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