My son currently lives at home. He recently graduated from college. Landed his first job, working remotely for a firm up in CT. He's doing great. Getting paid a decent wage and benefits, liking his job, learning a lot, getting good feedback from his employer and the employer's clients about his performance.
The next logical step is him getting his own place. He's engaged. He and his fiancee have talked about renting a small house somewhere nearby; he's trying to avoid apartment living. Doesn't care to have neighbors that close. Problem is, rental home pickings are awful and overpriced relative to what they've been in recent years. They've talked about moving down towards Gainesville or up toward Anderson, where there are more choices, but the rentals are either very pricey, or the neighborhoods are iffy. We live in the sticks and have acreage. We've told him we'd carve off a piece of our property for a homesite for them, if they ever want to build here. They are open to that, but they are probably at least a few years away from being ready.
One of the ideas we've kicked around is a travel trailer, set up somewhere on the property, far enough away that they (and we) have privacy, but close enough that we could run water, internet, and electrical to them. I can dig and install a dedicated septic system; our county has stated they will permit an RV/electrical/septic setup that is not being rented out. We've also discused, in the same cleared space in the woods, a small shed converted to a dedicated office space for him, so he wouldn't have to live and work in the same 250 sq. ft. every day.
Considering what he'd spend on rent over a couple of years, he could probably get himself a nice travel trailer, sell it when he's done with it, and come out substantially ahead versus rent.
I've never bought or owned a camper / trailer, and need some practical education about them. Probably something 32' or longer, with an enclosed master and bathroom, kitchen, dinnett, and small living area. Looking for feedback on the pitfalls of both new and used. I understand depreciation on new ones is big. How maintenance intensive are used models? I have above average DIY skills. Are there brands that should be avoided altogether because of known quality issues?
The next logical step is him getting his own place. He's engaged. He and his fiancee have talked about renting a small house somewhere nearby; he's trying to avoid apartment living. Doesn't care to have neighbors that close. Problem is, rental home pickings are awful and overpriced relative to what they've been in recent years. They've talked about moving down towards Gainesville or up toward Anderson, where there are more choices, but the rentals are either very pricey, or the neighborhoods are iffy. We live in the sticks and have acreage. We've told him we'd carve off a piece of our property for a homesite for them, if they ever want to build here. They are open to that, but they are probably at least a few years away from being ready.
One of the ideas we've kicked around is a travel trailer, set up somewhere on the property, far enough away that they (and we) have privacy, but close enough that we could run water, internet, and electrical to them. I can dig and install a dedicated septic system; our county has stated they will permit an RV/electrical/septic setup that is not being rented out. We've also discused, in the same cleared space in the woods, a small shed converted to a dedicated office space for him, so he wouldn't have to live and work in the same 250 sq. ft. every day.
Considering what he'd spend on rent over a couple of years, he could probably get himself a nice travel trailer, sell it when he's done with it, and come out substantially ahead versus rent.
I've never bought or owned a camper / trailer, and need some practical education about them. Probably something 32' or longer, with an enclosed master and bathroom, kitchen, dinnett, and small living area. Looking for feedback on the pitfalls of both new and used. I understand depreciation on new ones is big. How maintenance intensive are used models? I have above average DIY skills. Are there brands that should be avoided altogether because of known quality issues?
