So where do you live on the campground, an RV? This sounds interesting. It's land that you own?
Our campground is Woodhaven Lakes, and yes, we do own our land. We have a Park Model trailer... originally comes in on wheels, but designed to be a permanent installation. The specifications are that the maximum size is 12x34 or 400 sf. We are allowed to add a site built 400 sf add-a-room, and a 400sf deck. In addition we are allowed to have an 8x12 storage shed.
Our "camp" is located on a small lake (no gas motors). The current (year round) campground membership fee for this is $1400, which includes free access to all campground facilities (of which there are many)...including 2 large olympic pools, a beach, a very large campground store and many, many sports fields, meeting rooms, pavilions, a full size Tru Value Hardware, Gas Station, Restaurants, Laundromat, a 17 miles of trails. In addition, the $1400 fee includes unlimited water and sewer. We pay $500 in taxes because we are on a prime spot on the lake, and another $500 for insurance.
Because it is a recreational facility, we are limited to 187 days a year. Many of our neighbors live for 6 months here, and six months in Texas, Florida, or Arizona... in similar campgrounds. Example: in the early days, we lived part time In Victoria Palms in Donna, Texas.
Later we moved to a senior gated community in FL... again relatively low cost and with great facilities. On a lake, with a marina. We call it 6 and 6.
With some questions (then) about my life expectancy... and limited assets it was a great option for a try at early retirement. It worked. We lived in the manner to which we were accustomed (at a much lower cost)... we lived with younger people who were like minded, and who also loved the campground lifestyle... and were too busy having fun to even worry about money.
From 1990 to 2004... this snowbird lifestyle suited us perfectly... In 2004 we bought a regular home in our CCRC in Central Illinois.
Truthfully, without making this decision to live in less expensive surroundings, we might still be waiting to retire... 25 years later.
Not for everyone, but still a great option for those who aren't tied to large homes and a more expensive lifestyle.
This was a great way to start our retirement, and by LBYM, we now feel very safe financially.
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