Living in a caravan (or boat chalet etc)?

[Mondeo Man]

I've been thinking about this recently. I realise that realistically I'm never going to be able to afford a house, and don't facing a 20year mortgage for the dubious luxury of having my own shitty cardboard-box sized monstrosity in a shitty council estate (which is all I could realistically aspire to when it comes to bricks and mortar). Also fed up with well over half my monthly wage just disappearing into the ether (rent etc) with little to show for it - after all, I'm hardly there.

I've looked at caravans (mobile homes!), and it seems you can get quite a reasonable model for 12-15k, which I could afford.

Has anyone else looked into this? What to consider? Has anyone else experienced? same thoughts really for a houseboat, or coastal chalet etc?

I'm single, no kids. So that's not an issue.

[pinkyfloyd]

The trouble is static caravans tend to have a ground rent fee that you pay every year. Many places wont allow you a full years occupancy too. Other than that it is possible to live in a caravan.
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[Derivative]

There are cheap homes available, you just have to look in the right areas.

Near me you can get a council house for £40-60k and something reasonably decent for £100k.

Living in a caravan might be a nice idea temporarily but I doubt you will still be as enamoured with the concept after a year or two.

[kawashima]

Can you have water and electricity?
It seems to be cold in winter/night hot in summer/daytime compared to normal flat. I think it's nice for vacation, but uncomfortable for everyday use.
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[TheSmiler]

What you will need to lookout for is a residential site, these unlike holiday caravan sites can be lived in all year round. Like others have said you will have to pay a base rent for the year and it depends on the actual site whether they would allow your caravan.

You are personally better getting some land and having a caravan moved there in my opinion, if you installed gas and water then you could make that into a nicer home with a bit more extra space. This might interest you https://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1191907.pdf. Also this might help you if you want to search more into it https://www.gostatic.co.uk/?

[oldpink]

[Kwaks]

Problem with caravans is they depreciate quickly and you have pitch fees. Boats have mooring fees in addition to ongoing maintenance plus the odd rough night.

As said you can still get cheap flats depending on area, seen plenty of flats sub 40k that are actually pretty big, interiors are pretty high standard however the areas are not the best


https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-20272545.html
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[Tonka]

Friends of my parents went the static home route due to debts and the house prices in this area. It's not been a bed of roses for them, as there are still bills to pay for ground rent, as someone else has stated and those are also inflated in this area. However, Mum was surprised at how 'permanent' the place felt when inside and nothing like the holiday home feel, more like a brick built bungalow. Thing is IIRC it cost them around £75k to buy it and it has a very quick depreciation (less than 20 year life span), unlike a traditional property. This is not a consideration for them, as this couple are both in their late 70s, however, if you think you are likely to outlast the structure you are investing in, you might need to have some sort of contingency plan.
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[Knot600RR]

You need to factor in that many residential parks have an age limit on the 'vans' so they can appear a cheap option. Many sites (to keep them looking in good order (not at all a con to sell more caravans!)) have a 12 year age limit, at which point all value is wiped off the caravan.


Living on boats can be expensive, initial high purchase costs added to relatively high mooring fees. Some waters have limited residential licences.

Due to poor insulation, both types are expensive to keep warm in winter.


Still, for the boats at least, you can up sticks easily and change your view!

I've lived on boats on and off for 6 years, and knew an engineer who did the caravan thing and got fed up of hearing his gripes on a daily basis. It may be fine for retired people who feck off to Spain for winter, but as a full time living option - not for many.

When you actually do the maths, it's not as cheap as you would think.

[Hetzer]

We lived in a caravan when I was a kid (age 8 to 13/14) and it was 'all right'. I know somebody up the road who is living in one while he builds his house and it seems quite cosy and civilised. I wouldn't put my family in one but if I was single it wouldn't bother me at all, apart from security considerations.

Ours had no mains-toilet or electricity mind. We were well 'ard. Gas lights, just like the Victorians.
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[Barnaby]

Buying a static caravan or live aboard boat should only be considered within your rental options.

They make absolutely no sense at all when considered alongside buying a bricks n mortar house.

Why not buy the cheapest house, on the shittiest sink estate you can find?

95% of the people who live there are good, honest & true, you might take it to 96% !

Or, are you worried that you might take it down to 94% ?
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[WannaBeDude]

Canal boat on secluded moorings, ie cheaper per year charge, some solar power and a small geny - BLISS !!
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[Ariel Badger]

[SlimRick]

I lived in a touring caravan about 5 years ago in the middle of North Wales - slipped a farmer a few quid to stay (about £15 per month IIRC) and made a living copying software and flogging it on Ebay before they cracked down. Had an inverter in the Land Rover to run things and charge the caravan batteries. Absolute bliss, loved it even through the winter.

When I was 18ish I bought a small canal boat for about £3k - lived on that for a few months. If you're "continuously cruising" then you don't pay any mooring fees, even if it means cruising 2 miles to the next free temporary moorings for a few days then back again.

At the moment, I'm applying for jobs along the coast so I can live on my sailing boat. Marina fees would be about £300 per month including electricity, and no council tax!!!

[bikertomm]

[Benno]

[Derivative]

[hmmmnz]

what i'd be looking at is a cheap peice of land out in the country,
get a large-ish garage built, convert part of it into a house/bed sit,
chuck in a fire, job done,

if you buy a decent amount of land, as time goes on you might find you have a bit more dosh, and space for a house might be a good thing,
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[Tonka]

[hmmmnz]

arhh, well that bites,
can you put a caravan on it??
sounds like you should come to nz
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[Tenko]

To clarify - the Planning system in England can't touch you if you are living in something temporary, because you intend to move on and as soon as the Local Authority serves a Notice on you, that is precisely what you do.

If you live in something that has the potential to be temporary like a caravan, mobile home or boat (inland waterways), but you stay put, you can in theory be required to obtain planning permission for a residential use. If you don't get it the Council can take you to court (after much negotiating, stalling, appealing of Notices etc). If the court rules in the Council's favour and you still don't move you are in contempt, at which point you are committing an offence and can be removed.

The thing to remember is that both the structure and the use may require planning permission.

If you need any advice, ask a pikey....

[Nai]

Deeply considering renting my flat out and moving onto a houseboat myself. I am aware its not all singing and dancing and happy lifestyle, but stone me I need more room and a better living environment than my studio flat offers, and without moving miles away from London, I am having a lot of trouble stepping up the property ladder.

I cant up my mortgage any more than it is (well, I can but couldn't realistically pay it back), and to get out of shitty areas and get a house I need a good 50k. Bought my home the year before the crash. Bad timing on my part...

[Benno]

[boundy]

[SlimRick]

Well - just to bump this thread, I've just been offered a job that I interviewed for a month ago. I'm currently in Sheffield, and the job's in Bath - so looks like I'll be moving onto the boat in the very near future, need to check out secure bike parking in the marina, but I reckon I can use one of their sheds to keep it locked up in ...YAAAAY MEEEE!!!

My new home:

https://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/Slimrick72/PICT0008.jpg

https://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq295/Slimrick72/IMG_7771.jpg