Living in a Static Caravan/Trailer...FAQ!
So I've been living in a Caravan for the past couple of months now. Over this time, quite a few people have asked the same range of questions, I'm intending to use this post as a referral so i don't go insane repeating myself over and over and over.
Everyone has different reasons for moving into a Static, but the overarching reason is simply, cost. When i was renting a 2 bedroomed house in a not so desirable area, We were ploughing around £1000 per month into keeping the house going, £350 on Rent, £100 Gas/Electric, £100 on Food, etc etc. Since moving to the Static, we figuratively save £600 a month, but with the cost of the car, fuel, insurance, tax, we don't save that amount, it's roughly a £350 saving a month.
The second reason, for me at least, is the lifestyle. I live in the middle of a field in the middle of nowhere....and i fucking love it! Bird song I've never heard before in the mornings, Owls at night, curious Hedgehogs, playful Foxes, any amount of Shrew and Field mice and bashful badgers! Not to mention the deer and bats! If you have a fear of Spiders, you'll soon be cured if you lived in a Static. I'm closer to nature, but still close enough to civilisation that i don't feel isolated.
2. But what about Council Tax?
Currently, people living in Statics don't have to pay Council Tax, however, the law is changing and we soon will have to pay. Necessary evil I'm afraid. Until the law changes, couldn't really tell you. Though our sites services are private, like, private waste collection, etc, so i don't know what the rates would be that Statics would have to pay.
3. Isn't it cold and draughty?!
NO! On the contrary, it's hot and stifling! Through the day at least and i'm at work then, so that's aright by me! We do have cats however, so my advice to pet owners moving into static is;
i. ALWAYS keep a window open that your kitties can easily access to get in or out through the day.
ii.Don't just have one bowl of water available either. We have two salad bowls used as water bowls, one on the decking and one inside. Not that our two give a shit, they still bat the tap and drink from puddles. >=[
iii. Give them an area to cool down. Now this one i haven't done myself just yet, since the underside of our van is mostly moist and shaded, but i do have plans to have a seating area on the decking made with a small access area for the kitties to a space laden with cooler box ice packs.
4. Seriously, it's always warm?!
No, it does get chilly on a night time, but it's easily remedied by our electric heater lol. We're yet to experience winter, i'm looking forward to it to be honest, i've lived in some shit holes through the winter in the past and survived.
5.But aren't Statics boring inside, all standard, no personality?
Nope. Not in ours anyway, the whole thing has been ripped out. We've got the corner suite, brand new kitchen, took a room out for the dining area, Sure, all caravans start life as standard, but you could have a van resembling an 80 sq foot apartment in your possession, if you have the time and patience.
Either downsize and get rid of the stuff you don't really need or get creative and create the most imaginative storage solutions you can.
7. Internet. You have no internet!
I do lol. Smartphone tethering and hotspots are a glorious thing.
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