Static caravan purchase ?

[presta]

I've never understood the appeal of investing a lot of cash in having holidays in the same place all the time, I'd get fed up with it, and it's just wasted money if you go elsewhere. Like most on here, I'm also pretty cynical about the scams many seem to work to, a bit like with leasehold property. It's dangerous investing in something that someone else has complete control over.

I daydreamed about getting a motorhome once, but only until I realised that pitches cost nearly as much as a Youth Hostel, you can't drive them over Hard Knott, they're too big and expensive to commute in, and I don't have anywhere to park one.

One of the sites I've stayed at this year (Gibraltor Farm, Silverdale, Lancashire) has a lot of what look like permanently placed touring caravans

My cousin had a caravan at Akebar Park in Wensleydale for donkey's years. They started out buying a 4 berth tourer with no intention of towing it anywhere, then upgraded to a static later.

Come home to a real fire..................buy a holiday home in Wales

Not the Nine O'Clock News

 

[TheDoctor]

Abersoch looks stunning. The closest I'm getting to it on my Welsh Ride is Barmouth.

 

[fossyant]

Abersoch looks stunning. The closest I'm getting to it on my Welsh Ride is Barmouth.

It's a nightmare with tourists though, and many holiday homes leaves the villages empty out of season. Many issues like that on Anglesey too. But, you are going to live there permanently.

 

[fossyant]

I daydreamed about getting a motorhome once, but only until I realised that pitches cost nearly as much as a Youth Hostel, you can't drive them over Hard Knott, they're too big and expensive to commute in, and I don't have anywhere to park one.

Campsites vary from £20 per night to £40 for two people. Factor in a basic hotel can be £65 a night (excluding YH) then it's not too cheap. Then again, many hotels are £140 a night, including pubs B&B. Bala cost two of us £185 for 5 nights camping in a tent, so close to the £40 a night, but we were less than a stones throw from the Lake.

 

[fossyant]

This is the van we had. The decking now lives at the back of my garage at home.

 

[fossyant]

Have decking will travel, including the furniture.

 

[Alex321]

Campsites vary from £20 per night to £40 for two people. Factor in a basic hotel can be £65 a night (excluding YH) then it's not too cheap. Then again, many hotels are £140 a night, including pubs B&B. Bala cost two of us £185 for 5 nights camping in a tent, so close to the £40 a night, but we were less than a stones throw from the Lake.

What you also have to take into account cost-wise is that with your camper van (or tent, or touring caravan), you can cook for yourselves, rather than eating out as you usually have to with a hotel. You may of course still want to eat out, but if cost is an issue you don't have to.

 

[albion]

On my rides I see a fair few motor homes, camped up in discrete places.
Permanently, or at least long enough for me to feel they are there permanent.

 

[Jameshow]

On my rides I see a fair few motor homes, camped up in discrete places.
Permanently, or at least long enough for me to feel they are there permanent.

Van lifeing has boomed tbh.

 

[presta]

What you also have to take into account cost-wise is that with your camper van (or tent, or touring caravan), you can cook for yourselves, rather than eating out as you usually have to with a hotel. You may of course still want to eat out, but if cost is an issue you don't have to.

In 2010 it was £20 for the cheapest three meals on Medway YHA menu, compared to £5.29 for ~5000 calories a day self catering.

My last tour in 2011, also self catering at YHAs, was £631.34 for 26 nights (food £172.33, accommodation £455.25).

 

[fossyant]

In 2010 it was £20 for the cheapest three meals on Medway YHA menu, compared to £5.29 for ~5000 calories a day self catering.

My last tour in 2011, also self catering at YHAs, was £631.34 for 26 nights (food £172.33, accommodation £455.25).

That won't get you a week in a static van these days, never mind food.

 

[Beebo]

My in laws had one at Billing Aquadome some 20 years ago.
Once my father in law had to retire early with medical problems the van became a financial millstone.
They eventually managed to escape the contract early but had to pay a financial penalty to do so. Which my wife help out with.
It’s a total scam and if your financial position changes you are left paying for it.

 

[fossyant]

My in laws had one at Billing Aquadome some 20 years ago.
Once my father in law had to retire early with medical problems the van became a financial millstone.
They eventually managed to escape the contract early but had to pay a financial penalty to do so. Which my wife help out with.
It’s a total scam and if your financial position changes you are left paying for it.

You have to pay the ground rent for the year. The big companies are a nightmare, but the smaller ones can be a little bit better, but you still get screwed.

We did the do we buy a property near where the van was, get another, or cut losses and do 'other stuff.

My wife was for getting a property. We could easily afford it as our very modest 3 bed is paid for, but. And it's a big but. Maintenance. It's hard work maintaining my own house and garden. Hard getting to the van and doing that garden too, but another house to look after. I said no chance.

You get times where everything breaks on a caravan as you return after winter. One year was every week something broke. Early season, so it was cold and dark.

It was great though, especially with young kids. Getting rid has changed our outlook.

We're going to go round the UK more, vehicle purchase is planned to do this. It won't move other than to do trips.

 

[cyberknight]

That won't get you a week in a static van these days, never mind food.

holiday in cleethorpes in a weeks time , £1250 to use a static van for a week and thats not "expensive " for the time of year , Kids still in school/college and works shutdown so were a slave to the prices charged.

 

[Scaleyback]

Latest post on the HPAG ( Holiday Park Action Group )

" So just had our increase this year,we're now having to pay £840 a month. Absolutley pointless keeping it now. Over £10k site fees.what a joke. "

This is me.
10,080 per annum site fees. Then most people will have monthly loan paybacks of £100's a month + gas + electric + insurance.

Now the caravan owner(s) will probably take a massive 'hit' on the price they paid and will have to pay a minimum of 15% of the sale fee to the park owner.

The 'dream' truly becomes a nightmare. 🤬