Re: [VAC] how to find a full-time lot

[Jim Dunmyer <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jay,
 You may need to do some more checking with mobile home parks, I know
people who lived in an RV at a conventional M.H. park for extended
periods. At least 2 of them would be classified as "full timers", one
was retired, the other was a family person who worked short-term jobs,
no longer than a couple of years before moving on. Go to the older
parks, with smaller, older trailers, not the new "manufactured home
communities". You'll be able to hook up everything and get a longer hose
for your propane connection to enable use of a 100# bottle instead of
the 30# jobs on the tounge.

As you say, zoning might prevent your living on one of those farms of
your Dad's, but it doesn't hurt to ask. You'll definitely want/need a
septic tank for sewage disposal, and that will cost about $4000.00 to
have installed. Of course, if you're resourceful (and the Powers That Be
allow), you can rent/borrow a backhoe and install it yourself, it's not
rocket science. That'll probably cut the cost in half.

You'll also need a source of water. Again, the P.T.B. may have certain
requirements, and a drilled well with pump will run about $4000.00 these
days. If the farm once had a house, there MAY be a useable well on the
property, maybe even a suitable sewage system. If those systems were
ancient (dug well, sand point, etc. and a cesspool instead of tank and
leach field), you'll likely not be allowed to use them.

If the farm is off the beaten path and the proposed trailer location is
not visible from the road, you could even chance moving in w/o
permission from anyone. It would be well to get along with the
neighbors, because they're the ones who would tip off the P.T.B., but
you'll probably get caught sooner or later anyway. (might be *years*,
though) The septic and well systems would have to be in place because
installation of new ones will require permits, tipping off the P.T.B.

Good luck!!

                                      Jim