Workamping at permanent site in senior RV resorts in AZ

I agree with the poster who suggested getting a large travel trailer. I know people who do not have a tow vehicle, but hire a company to move their RV when they go to a new job site. They are travel nurses but it wouldn't be any different for you. It's much less expensive than owning and maintaining a tow vehicle.

Depending on your budget, you might look at Cedar Creeks Cottages. They are very much like a park model on the inside but are towable. They are designed for people with seasonal lots or permanent pads on their property, but they would certainly work for someone who wants to move it infrequently.

There are so many ways to make this type of arrangement work; good luck.

Yup- it's always good to do the math! I see your point kcmoedoe! I agree, would not want to get hurt and have no coverage! Don't know about the 1099, I suspect you are correct in that, they have SD as their domicile too so they don't pay taxes. I love this forum, it helps hearing things I haven't thought about yet!

dcrehlinger wrote:
Thanks for the good input. I wondered if this is something difficult to find based on the fact that I couldn't find anything much about it at the different resorts I looked at. We have friends in Yuma that pay nothing for their stay all winter and also get $400 a month for eating in the resort restaurant and they only work 40 hrs a week between the two of them! Most of the snowbirds there are from Canada and can't work in the US so there is lots of opportunity to do that there I guess. Will see what happens, I don't want to depend on the money so maybe we wait another year before we jump ship!:)

That nets out to the site costing them $915.00 per month (40 hours/week X $7.65 minimum wage X 4.3 weeks per month minus $400.00 meal credit). That also assumes the meal credit is same as cash, which it isn't, since you have to eat at their restaurant. The only good thing is the park probably violates the law and doesn't issue a 1099 for those benefits so you are not taxed. That works until you get audited, which of course you won't because you are too small a fish to fry. The only real IRS threat would be if the park got audited and you got caught in the wake. Bear in mind, since they are violating the law by not having you on the books as an employee, you don't have the workman's comp benefits yoy should be entitled to. That could be a big issue if either of you get hurt on the job. Seeing that rents in the Yuma area are waaay below $900 per month, you might be a whole lot better off renting a lot and working at a part time job for money that can be spent anywhere, not just at the company store.

Thanks for the good ideas, I will look into them for sure, one way or another we are heading south soon!

I am a tax preparer and work just the tax season. The pay is good if you are able to work full time. There is a requirement for training that takes some time each fall, but it is worth the effort and keeps your brain active.
Check into the major franchises for opportunities.
jesseannie

This is done all the time in south Texas. My only suggestion is do not buy a park model. Get a very large travel trailer that can be easily moved if your job does not work out or you find a better park. You can always hire someone to cheaply move a travel trailer.

Thanks for the good input. I wondered if this is something difficult to find based on the fact that I couldn't find anything much about it at the different resorts I looked at. We have friends in Yuma that pay nothing for their stay all winter and also get $400 a month for eating in the resort restaurant and they only work 40 hrs a week between the two of them! Most of the snowbirds there are from Canada and can't work in the US so there is lots of opportunity to do that there I guess. Will see what happens, I don't want to depend on the money so maybe we wait another year before we jump ship!:)

Most good over 55 parks have a waiting list of people already in the park who want the limited workamping opportunity. Sort of waiting for someone to croak so you can get their job. As a person just coming in the opportunities would be very limited

My advice would be to find a park that is affordable to you without work camping. Then work in that park for the enjoyment of working there and to earn some spending money.

I know four people who were doing what you would like to do. Two were 'let go' from their jobs. One was able to sell his park model and move to another location. One just stayed in her park model and found a job in another park. Two (married couple) developed health problems and couldn't work any longer. They tried to sell their park model, but could not find a buyer. They just finished filing bankruptcy. They are stressed that they are not able to afford the rent without the work camping jobs.

So, find a park model that works for you and consider work a 'bonus'. If the job does not work out, you will not be dependent on it to help pay your rent.

Or consider getting a PT job outside the park and paying the rent that way? Sounds like a good approach. I suggest traveling to the areas you are interested in and floating a basic resume.

Might be better to have a job separate from your home? Just thinking aloud.