Own a RV space in a resort? Why? Should I?

[NealC]

Do you own a space in a RV resort? If so, why? Isn't RV'ing about seeing the country, keeping on the move and exploring? I have considered buying a space such as in Naples. Would it give me residency if I owned and continued to own a home in VA? What are the pro's and con's? I'm sure there are a million threads here on this but hey, I'm lazy and let's see the latest from the latest visitors that are on this site.

Convince me one way or another. I'm new to this having gotten my first RV just 7 months ago.

Why do I want to keep my house in VA?

-I love my house
-I have a mother still there in her late 70's and just lost my father a month ago so she leans on me and needs me, although I do have a younger brother and older sister but I'm the caretaker/giver whatever you call it
-I love the four seasons and skiing in the west (as well as gorgeous countryside, beaches east (moot for this desire though))

Why would I consider a space in Naples?

-Possibly full timing, I really do like my coach and it's comfortable to live in with just me and my dog
-I have always loved FL. I'm in JAX now and feel good just being in FL again as I venture south towards Naples on this trip (staying in both PL and NMCR)
-Investment potential?
-I'm not getting any younger. I'm 51 now
-I do own a 21ft power boat, would probably keep it (Chaparral 210ssi) - I enjoy boating on the lake

Concerns:

-Selling a house I love
-Tons of crap I still own (Porsche, Toad, Boat), lot's of furniture, etc.
-Business (I own a software biz 20years and going)
-Not a fan of the crazy hot in the summer in FL and the humidity is bad enough in VA
-Things that eat dogs (my four legged child)
-Things that eat me (mosquitos)

Things to look for in buying a RV space? Don't want to make mistakes should I decide to purchase? What should I look for and look out to avoid? Orientation, location, hidden costs, etc. etc.

I'm all "ears" - thank you for any educational insight you may share.

[nothermark]

The only reason to own space in an RV resort is to keep returning there every year. For some it's a handy "local" park where they can hang out while working. For others it's a winter or summer destination. As long as you want to travel it's not worth messing with. Some folks have "seen it all" and are more interested in following the weather north to south to keep in moderate conditions.

[wildtoad]

Same reason I didn’t by a timeshare. I didn’t want to go back there every year. But as above if you want a permanent place to spend the winter or several months at a time it might be a good idea versus having to find a spot year after year.

BTW, I have a brother in law, niece and nephew who live in Midlothian, and spent a few days at a state park near there. Nice area.

[Coral]

For me I like being nomadic right now, that may change in a few years of snowbirding in different locations. From a financial standpoint I do not like HOAs: rent splits and club expenses plus you may get stuck with bad neighbors.

[smlranger]

We've asked ourselves the same question but the answer has been, for us, no. We have done the snowbird thing each winter since I retired in 2014...Arizona the first year, Florida last year, and Texas Gulf Coast this year (we are in Port Aransas now in a very nice ownership RV resort). We always ask ourselves when we get to one of these really nice RV resorts if we would like to own a space here and stay all winter. We are ready to hit the road after about two weeks so the answer is always 'no'.

We've accepted that we just don't like to stay in one place for a long period. We start getting restless after about 2 weeks. So, we plan to keep moving and exploring as long as we can. Plus, we have a house on a lake in SW Virginia and a home in Richmond and, as we age, we like having a home base. And, I like my toys....boat at the lake, Mustang GT convertible in garage. If/when we decide to give up the RV thing, we would just plan to spend more time at our home on the lake. And, when we are ready to give up the lake house we will have our home base in Richmond near family.

[mikeannetta]

I can’t keep coach at house, wish I could! That’s why we need to spend the 3k. We use the CG as our storage and starting point for all travels.

[Arizona]

You should own one so you can pay school taxes in in both places.

[ctpres]

Been there done that - slept in 48 states and have seen most of what there is to see but still enjoy the fulltime life. We decided cool destinations are more limited in supply than warm ones and thus should have better resale value. We found a great community in southern CO. and ended up with 40 year lease in a beautiful RV resort on the Rio Grande river surrounded by beautiful mountains. Just imagine turning the heat on in July to take the chill off before breakfast and then spending a sweat free day in the summer sun. Annual RV resort cost is under $1,000 for taxes, maintenance ie everything but electric. We even have fiber optic service on our site. So now we have a short trip to our summer home and our choice of anywhere we want for warm winters.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by NealC

Do you own a space in a RV resort? NO If so, why? Isn't RV'ing about seeing the country, keeping on the move and exploring? Sort of the way I see it - in 50+ years and Coast to Coast, there are few places, even California that I would not enjoy seeing again, so the one place, year after year just doesn't fit I have considered buying a space such as in Naples. Would it give me residency if I owned and continued to own a home in VA? What are the pro's and con's? I'm sure there are a million threads here on this but hey, I'm lazy and let's see the latest from the latest visitors that are on this site. I'm not the tax adviser - so for legal - go to a legal source, but it's complicated and simple, just needs to work for you.

Convince me one way or another. I'm new to this having gotten my first RV just 7 months ago. Neal this might just work for you in say 30 years, just not till you've really seen the country.

Why do I want to keep my house in VA?

-I love my house
-I have a mother still there in her late 70's and just lost my father a month ago so she leans on me and needs me, although I do have a younger brother and older sister but I'm the caretaker/giver whatever you call it
-I love the four seasons and skiing in the west (as well as gorgeous countryside, beaches east (moot for this desire though))

Asked and Answered.

Why would I consider a space in Naples?

I can see no reason, too Hot, too Far, too many of the same People, get out and see the world, see the West, not just a day here and there.

-Possibly full timing, I really do like my coach and it's comfortable to live in with just me and my dog
-I have always loved FL. I'm in JAX now and feel good just being in FL again as I venture south towards Naples on this trip (staying in both PL and NMCR)
-Investment potential? Negative investment - just do the math, just rent.
-I'm not getting any younger. I'm 51 now
-I do own a 21ft power boat, would probably keep it (Chaparral 210ssi) - I enjoy boating on the lake Sell the Boat the RV is going to pretty much fill the daylight hours for the next 20+ years, IMHO.

Concerns:

-Selling a house I love
-Tons of crap I still own (Porsche, Toad, Boat), lot's of furniture, etc.
-Business (I own a software biz 20years and going)
-Not a fan of the crazy hot in the summer in FL and the humidity is bad enough in VA
-Things that eat dogs (my four legged child)
-Things that eat me (mosquitos)

Asked and Answered your Honor

Things to look for in buying a RV space? Don't want to make mistakes should I decide to purchase? What should I look for and look out to avoid? Orientation, location, hidden costs, etc. etc.

I'm all "ears" - thank you for any educational insight you may share.

Now, say you had very little time to get away (Worked for someone else) then maybe a good lot that you found and bought on the economy/distress sale/perfectly oriented/no HOA or Condo Fees, where you could park the Coach and fly in and out on weekend, that might work.

I've followed you and I really think you need to get some sun, meet some people, move around, shop till you drop for a place, then do it again for the next five years, you still will have only seen a small number of the places available - then do Texas - then Arizona - then California, all have some great spots in the Winter - think I've filled the next 20 years and you've been to a New group every year, meet New people, Had a great time and used the Coach Correctly.

Hope this helps,

.....

...

[NealC]

Originally Posted by Busskipper

Now, say you had very little time to get away (Worked for someone else) then maybe a good lot that you found and bought on the economy/distress sale/perfectly oriented/no HOA or Condo Fees, where you could park the Coach and fly in and out on weekend, that might work.

I've followed you and I really think you need to get some sun, meet some people, move around, shop till you drop for a place, then do it again for the next five years, you still will have only seen a small number of the places available - then do Texas - then Arizona - then California, all have some great spots in the Winter - think I've filled the next 20 years and you've been to a New group every year, meet New people, Had a great time and used the Coach Correctly.

Hope this helps,

.....

...

Excellent advice. Sorting out all aspects of RVing as it’s all new. Funny thing is I hate staying in one place for more than a few days. I’m doing two nights per stop enroute to Naples just to explore new campgrounds (all of which are new to me). I’m on a 4 day stay now thanks to UPS screwing up a shipment but that’s good, I’m tired and need some rest. I think a week is as long as I’d care for. There is so much to see and I’m loving taking my house to new places.

[docj]

Everyone has his or her own definition of what it means to be a full-timer. My wife and I are in our eighth year of full-timing and have driven nearly 60,000 miles around North America, more than many full-timers have in a similar time-frame. However, we enjoy letting the cold weather pass us by and don't feel obligated to move just because we're full-timers. IMO I'm not any less of a full-timer because I like spending the winter in one place. I don't need to "prove" to anyone that I'm a full-timer because I don't spend more than a few weeks before moving on.

I have never felt that a 40' MH was a good vehicle in bad weather and unless you restrict yourself to south FL, south TX or southern CA there isn't any place where you can avoid freezing temps and ice/snow. Heck, even in south TX this year we've had our share of winter weather.

We wintered for 6 years in Port Aransas and a year ago we found ourselves a new ownership park in nearby Rockport. We both have multiple volunteer activities in the Corpus Christi area so being in one place for ~six months doesn't mean we're bored. In fact, we often have more to do while parked in Rockport than we do while touring the country!

We very much enjoy having a larger, more private site than we would have at a commercial park as well as having a storage shed and a casita with heat, A/C, fridge, TV etc. We find it nice not to have to squeeze everything we own into the basement of the MH.

We're planning a ~6,000 mile trip for this summer that will keep us on the road for nearly four months. By the time we finish that adventure we'll be ready to relax for a while on our own property. JMO

[kustom]

we bought a lot in a fl. resort
its cheaper then paying storage
for the motorhome and toad
just last year we had 3 couples
wanting to buy it at almost
twice what we paid
so yes it is a good investment
for us
its also a home base

[Scottybdivin]

Originally Posted by ctpres

Been there done that - slept in 48 states and have seen most of what there is to see but still enjoy the fulltime life. We decided cool destinations are more limited in supply than warm ones and thus should have better resale value. We found a great community in southern CO. and ended up with 40 year lease in a beautiful RV resort on the Rio Grande river surrounded by beautiful mountains. Just imagine turning the heat on in July to take the chill off before breakfast and then spending a sweat free day in the summer sun. Annual RV resort cost is under $1,000 for taxes, maintenance ie everything but electric. We even have fiber optic service on our site. So now we have a short trip to our summer home and our choice of anywhere we want for warm winters.

We love Creede. We have some friends that live up Middle Creek Rd. Are you in Mountain View?

[Oldedit]

We're in Naples, FL, for the second time in three weeks. Naples Motor Coach Resort a couple of weeks ago, Pelican Lake RV Resort for a few days. Myakka River RV Resort last week. And a crowded Sarasota area park the last few days. Testing. Testing.

We bought our 2014 Newmar Ventana 4037 in Dec. because we wanted a second home, not a big SUV (Itasca Reyo (T) on a Sprinter Chassis) with a king bed, which is good for being on the move every day or so.

And in Feb. we stored the coach and rented a Captiva condo for the month.

Everywhere we go we consider buying real estate. Never do. We love our home and friends in Colorado, and we don't like being away for more than two or three months at a time. We spend 8,000 to 12,000 miles and three to five months a year in our motorhome.

Given our ages and our pre-existing medical conditions, we don't think it makes sense for us to buy a RV resort pad, a condo or a time share. We just don't know how long we'd use a 2nd home, which would be kinda hard to sell. Selling the Newmar shouldn't be difficult, and it doesn't complicate estate planning the way owning real estate in a 2nd state does.

People in the resorts we've visited seem pretty happy with their lives and their winter neighbors. They seem to have mixed feelings about the managers of their resort HOAs. Having run a few HOAs ourselves, we're not anxious to be in or on the board of another one.

So, for us, renting makes the most sense. This is even though it may be harder to rent when and where we want to as more people retire and want to join the fun. If things get really difficult, we always can buy a condo or house somewhere.

As long as we're healthy, it looks like we'll be motoring around the country, attending Newmar rallies and enjoying our beautiful North America.