Dilemma...good place for thoughts

[pjay9]

Many of you know (or will know now) that I love to play with boats. If they want to pay me to do that then I am in...only if it is FUN!!!

I have been retired 10 years...my inbound funds are not an issue. Wait I'll get to the point...need the set up first!

I have been offered a job as an instructor at a Job Corps Center in Astoria OR. It will require living off of the economy. THe TC is falling apart, if you been reading my other posts, will not survive fulltime living...so I must look to other solutions. Been looking at rooms to let, not really available, infurnished apt...not willing to do moving in furniture and all that******(not young anymore). There is a sparse RV park about 1.5 miles from school, easy drive, cost effective fee.

So now here is the IDEA...hold on all you purist TCer's!!! I am thinking of buying a used MH...maybe a 34' Safari Serenghetti there are some in mid 90's that are in good shape up here asking less than 15K with good drive trians and amenities...it would be a living quarters that would cost less than rent and I would have something to sell later on with less loss of rent out the window.

So don't thrash me for thinking of this, just provide construtive comments. Ask questions! I will not be doing this right away...will use TC for a few weeks to get settled in and then make decisions, but got to plan...THX everyone.

[exhaustipated]

newman fulltimer wrote:
if they want you bad enough make them pay for housing make it their problem not yours

X2
If you've been retired for 10 years now and have a nice monthly income then why are you bothering accepting a job with the Job Corps Center in Astoria, OR and looking at buying a used MH to spend money to live in. If you think that you just have to have this job then by all means go for it but I would buy a TT or 5'er since you have a truck.

[AnEv942]

umm-my opinion is doesnt make cents to spend thousands to accept a job unless this were long term. An older MH no matter how good of shape its in today- is still a mechanical unit that could potentially cost a lot/ and or simple aggravation of maintenance. I'm just looking at risk. You have a truck. Id opt for a trailer, least inexpensive temporary housing. Newer ones could be had cheap-easily resold. Though again depends on time.
Unless this is transition to MH (though a 20? year old) seems another can o worms, and it seems you have enough already open?

[kerry4951]

Best time in my RV life was when I sold the MH. Its just another drive train to maintain and that includes service intervals, inspections, and big insurance premium. Id also go with a TT or 5th wheel.

[time2roll]

Since you have a truck... get a fifth wheel.

[MN_Ben]

^^ What he said.

[newman_fulltime]

if they want you bad enough make them pay for housing make it their problem not yours

[jimh406]

Since you have a truck, I'd go for fiver. Much cheaper than a MH. Less invested, less to lose when you sell it.

[bka0721]

gritdog and Dadwolf2 are sharing good advice.

Over the last few years I have had 2 friends working at the nearby National Park Service site and they both shared that the weather was the biggest issue for them to deal with for that area. Obviously solar is not going to be a viable option. Older MH have a host of issues to deal with and cumbersome to get to, compared to a TT. Plus the $$ issue for this time of year, to purchase one, is to your advantage. Many are looking to unload them, for a variety of reason, many not because they are lemons.

I would suggest you go with a TT over a MH, for all the reasons previously stated.

b

[dadwolf2]

A TT will almost always be the most economical RV choice and you can easily tow it with your truck or sell it when your done with it. If you get the motorhome, will you need a toad? Buying a motorhome to sit and be a place to live doesn't make sense to me....unless you found a great deal and plan on using it for more than an apartment down the road.

[jmckelvy]

Sounds like a reasonable plan under the circumstances. Just check out the new (old :)) RV carefully.

[DutchmenSport]

I am neither a TC or a MH owner, but I think your idea sounds logical. I am assuming you will be keeping your truck and also have the motor home so you can commute back and forth from work to campsite without having to unhook water, electric and every thing else every day you leave for work?

If you are planning on selling truck and camper and will depend upon the MH for transportation, I think you're better off with what you currently have, save the money.

If you are planning on just parking the MH and using the truck as your daily transportation, why not consider a TT or 5er also? No engine maintenance to keep up with a 5er or TT.

[Trackrig]

Overall, it should work. I don't think Astoria gets too cold, but make sure where you want to park is open with water and sewer all winter and that the MH will keep you warm during the winter. The last thing you need is for the operators to tell you (after you get set up) is they're shutting down for the winter and headed to AZ to see some sun and get out of the rain.

Bill

[Grit_dog]

I'd go with a TT or 5ver over a MH unless you intend to use it for a lot of traveling in the future and don't like towing.
You already got a Mac daddy tow rig and will be parking the RV to live out of it. Why have another drivetrain to maintain.
Plus you can get more TT for your money IMO than MH.

[aslakson]

Have you explored the on-site housing at Tongue Point? My BIL worked there for many years and had a two-bedroom house on base for next to nothing in rent.

FWIW.

al