It’s no secret that the housing market in the United States is rapidly changing. An article published by “Forbes” states housing prices have increased dramatically over the last fifteen years. Due to rising housing costs it has become increasingly difficult for families to find safe, clean, affordable housing. As a solution, people across the country are being forced into looking for alternative housing solutions.
As one of the many Americans affected by this housing crisis, I understand the stress and panic that comes with finding a place to live. My fiance and I were at the end of our lease. Instead of renewing the lease, we elected to move. Unfortunately for us, our new apartment would not be ready for another month and we had already submitted our notice to vacate. Essentially, we were looking at being homeless for about a month.
Thankfully, my future in-laws offered a generous solution! They suggested we live in their thirty-four foot camper. Without hesitation, my fiance’s parents hauled the camper to a nearby campsite and we quickly settled in. When we first arrived to the campsite, I was honestly a bit nervous about the experience and I didn’t know what to expect. I was used to living in a spacious apartment with several amenities.
After a quick adjustment period, I soon realized that my new living situation was quite simply a God-send for my fiance and I. We had a safe, clean, and affordable place to stay with our pets for an entire month! I was pleasantly surprised to learn that living at a campsite can be extremely affordable. The thirty day stay at our campsite cost around $400. The fee included the electric, water, and sewage hookups, cable and wireless internet. The property included a communal washing area stocked with showers (that were cleaned daily), a laundry center, plus a dog park.
Here Are A Few Tips On How To Survive Living In A Camper
Take The Essentials
My future in-laws had a funny look on their face when they saw everything I was packing. They knew what it was like to stay in their camper and knew we wouldn’t have much room left with all the junk I thought I needed! Take the opportunity to purge what you have or leave the things you don’t really need behind. And remember- if you’re planning to drive around, everything factors into the total weight you’re hauling!
Some of the essentials for us included:
- pet food
- bedding
- toiletries
- cooking items (like knives, spices, and utensils).
There were many things I thought I’d need like suitcases full of clothes (as if I don’t wear the same three outfits) and every single one of my dog’s toys- that she never plays with. My future in-laws had already stocked the camper for their travels so it had light-weight plastic dishes and utensils, travel sized toiletries, and grilling equipment. All of our big furniture, winter clothes, and knick-knacks were put into a storage unit.
Be Open Minded
So many things can happen when you’re living in a camper. You may have to deal with loud neighbors or have a big storm blow through. Or you may face mechanical issues with the camper such as the slides not going in and out or issues with getting the camper fully leveled. Living in a camper is an adventure every day. Oh, and let’s not forget the bugs! I am not a bug person, especially spiders and cockroaches. Camp life includes a fair share of unwanted visitors. My best advice is to buy a can of bug spray, keep your favorite bug killing shoe nearby, and embrace what comes!
Think Outside of The Box – Literally
Camp life is a great excuse to grill your food and dine outside. It was nice to enjoy a meal at a picnic table or comfy chair outside. When I had time off of work, I would enjoy sitting in the comfy movie theater seats (that heat and vibrate!) while watching television. Another fun pass time I enjoyed was walking our dog. It was nice taking advantage of the extra time to get fresh air and be outdoors.
Love Thy Neighbor
People that live in a campsite are more often than not extremely friendly. They really care about where they live and enjoy meeting and talking to new people. We truly felt as though all of our neighbors had our backs and were making sure we were safe and didn’t need anything during our stay. Be sure to give them a wave any time you pass someone outside and stop to chat if you have the time. You may learn something new!
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