To Buy a mobile, rent or a camper?

[GoldieLocks]

My partner and I are around Carson City, NV. We have been in and out of hotels and such. We are throwing around ideas to stay long-term or stay in Reno? I didn't like DT Reno. I think a pick pocket drugged out females placed herself behind me suddenly when we checked it out.
And the evictions would have started yesterday. So now we wait 8+ days to see if the markets are flooded with new apt rentals we can afford or cinti UE to consider getting a camper?
I suspect Las Vegas will be a zoo of economic issues, we don't want to go there. But I might consider Pahrump.

 

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[gunsil]

With a mobile or a camper you can stay for free on BLM land, but you lose a real bathroom and need to have access to water. If you are experienced at camping they aren't a bad option to renting apartments. Cost also a consideration, mobiles/campers aren't cheap and eat gasoline. A friend of mine winters in AZ camped on BLM land or AZ state land which requires a $25 permit. He has a pick-up and tows a 20' camp trailer which is big enough for him, his wife, and small dog. Having the truck separate from the camper allows him to go to town for food and water without dragging the trailer around.

 

[releventchair]

Might be some options...
https://www.happyvagabonds.com/Jobs/nevada_rv_jobs.htm

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

If you both have a solid work history, currently have stable jobs, have a clean criminal record, and can provide sufficient character references....I would suggest trying to purchasing some land. Some people own land with a mobile home on it that a bank won't typically grant loans for. Sometimes holding papers is the only way to sell.

Nevada has to be flush with relatively inexpensive land. Heck from what I can tell, most places in Nevada come with a boat! ; )

 

[SeaHunter2312]

I have a 20' travel trailer and pull it with a truck. Wife dog and I are very comfy in it and it is nice to have wheels to go out and do stuff. However, that is good for local or day trips. Cross country is tough, it would be nice to be able to have a class C RV and pull a small car or jeep. That way we could relax, make food or use the head while on the road. Been looking at a class C to upgrade.

 

[GoldieLocks]

I knew about BLM land. My partner really was camping in almost all-weather types experienced when we met. But we both have certain health issues so we would want to avoid tent camping and less comfortable beds, etc.. I just saw a fixer mobile in Reno I may push to go see soon. It is really at my upper budget limit.

 

[Gambrinus]

Have you looked at Beatty? It was 15 years ago when I was working there for a month but I liked it. Beatty is big enough to support a few casinos but small enough that it didn't have too much city ugliness.

 

[metrotec]

My woman and I have a class C and pull a Razor, which we made street legal. We're both very good campers. From tents to MH, owned a RV park at one time. managed 3 for 22 years. If you can dry camp on BLM , good. Usually there is a dump station at the office, and a water truck once a week, which could be as much as 5 miles out from your campsite that you choose. I have spent several Winters out West and learned a lot, not only from experience, but from other campers.
East and West are 2 different types of camping.Desert vs woods, no water, lotsa water, sometimes too much. Bugs, scorpions are in both areas, and snakes, insects etc.
Invest in a book that tells/with pictures of local plants that are edible.
House sitting could be an option for some people.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

My woman and I have a class C and pull a Razor, which we made street legal. We're both very good campers. From tents to MH, owned a RV park at one time. managed 3 for 22 years. If you can dry camp on BLM , good. Usually there is a dump station at the office, and a water truck once a week, which could be as much as 5 miles out from your campsite that you choose. I have spent several Winters out West and learned a lot, not only from experience, but from other campers.
East and West are 2 different types of camping.Desert vs woods, no water, lotsa water, sometimes too much. Bugs, scorpions are in both areas, and snakes, insects etc.
Invest in a book that tells/with pictures of local plants that are edible.
House sitting could be an option for some people.

If you go the RV route, I would recommend spending some time estimating maintenance costs, un-expected repairs, tires, and most importantly fuel costs. Then increase those costs by a certain percentage to account for inflation. At this point in time I’d use 5% to 8% for the next two years based on what I’m seeing.

While on my way to and from work, I drive past a busy highway interchange. I see way too many people apparently stranded along the highway interchanges standing near an RV. Living on the road is a luxury that many can’t afford.

Ever watch the movie “The Money Pit” with Tom Hanks? Older RV’s are like that only worse.

 

[GoldieLocks]

Well, our lives here are a work in progress. We don't know how much harder hit the economy will be hereby the pandemic? I am legally disabled and my partner needs to get his disability in place too. So no we do not have good jobs.

 

[releventchair]

Well, our lives here are a work in progress. We don't know how much harder hit the economy will be hereby the pandemic? I am legally disabled and my partner needs to get his disability in place too. So no we do not have good jobs.

Your skills may matter/affect where you roost.
You're able to earn a percentage of disability without penalty. Or were able anyways.
Travel time to work costs. IF housing/rent ect. is cheaper than where work is then travel time /cost can be justified.

Disabilities vary. Most too unique to use a broad brush.
I don't want to know you two's limits but they will affect where you want to stay , and future planning.
If you are looking at a wheelchair in the future ,or already in one , a ramp can run a few grand.
And a home needs to accommodate a chair. Plus grab handles for transfers ect.

Medical facilities in range can factor too with increasing age and health and condition.
Being hours away from desired treatment and access to medical facilities is not good.

Then there is transportation.
Being independent and mobile in the future may depend on a van with a lift. IF that is the inevitable , should an eye be kept out for the right used one , or wait till it's needed?
If you are already making payments , and have to trade in your current ride , who is going to gain in that deal?
Yes it depends on your current ride. But used sales run on profit far more than generosity.
And a private owner selling a disabled accommodating van is not going to want your trade most likely.

Mobile homes (well all homes) need to be inspected before offering a bid on them.
That does not mean the inspector does not miss a problem....

Wiring in older mobiles is always suspect. To me anyways.
Next is the roof. Any seams or trim ,or joints ,or where a fixture or deliberate hole goes through the roof.
A bad roof , or one that leaked earlier , even if repaired is a red flag for me.
Having worked in the R.V. industry in the past , I've seen naughty secrets folks tried to hide.

Then there is resale value...
IF a mobile is on land you would own vs paying lot rent you'd have more options to consider. More so if you had it paid for.
IF local zoning allows replacement of home.
Lot rent is money out the window as far as equity. But renting suits some folks for varied reasons.

Toe behind trailers need a healthy tow vehicle. And preventive as well as ongoing maintenance.
A friend now passed was working on designs for the disabled.
Starting with a being produced basic structure.
Being in a chair gave him perspective.
My partial use of a chair and previous R.V. service gave me some input.
That brings us back to the uniqueness of varied disabilities , and the market for specific needs.
Multiple and flexible designs would need to be available.
Then there would be cost.
My route would be to customize a toy hauler or cargo trailer to try to reduce costs.

A small home located at a jumping off point in the right area (medical access mainly , for hopefully older age) appeals more than a wandering life today.
But with budgeting and patient study , there's a way for most everyone.
Planning that way has to be realistic. And with the future in mind.

 

[smokeythecat]

Some of the larger cargo vans do work pretty well converted to campers. You have to be aware the insulation is pretty bad, even with campers it's sure not like a hote or real apartment. Heating and cooling have to be thought out in advance.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Some of the larger cargo vans do work pretty well converted to campers. You have to be aware the insulation is pretty bad, even with campers it's sure not like a hote or real apartment. Heating and cooling have to be thought out in advance.

Respectfully, that doesn't sound like a very good long term plan (living out of a van).
"Disabled" does not necessarily or usually equate to not being able to work.

I'd suggest making a long term plan and work daily to achieve it.
Not knowing the severity of your disabilities, the simple fact you are posting messages here tells me you could get a job in customer support/tech support. Most everything these days is through E-Mail or online chat. It would seem to be a job that could be performed from almost anywhere (usually India).

Most government agencies bend over backwards to accommodate employees with disabilities.
The United States Forest Service is one that comes to mind. It might take persistence and some time invested in training or schooling but it can be done.

 

[MetalArchSC]

Lol.... Lots of folks ( working and retired) have converted cargo vans into “ long term living spaces”. I’m one of them. Adding a high top makes them more comfortable.

Most of us who are outdoorsmen/women don’t live IN out van... we live out of it.

Head to Quartzsite, Az in the winter. I think you’ll be surprised how many converted vans you’ll see.

 

[GoldieLocks]

I think the money's going to work to just get a mobile home maybe in late fall?!Nice chat though

 

[signal_line]

Funny story a friend told me years ago. His family had a camper trailer and pulled it from Montana to L.A. When they got there his mother refused to saty in it because it was too hot, so they got a motel room. No wonder his dad died of a heart attack at 55 years old.