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Living in a caravan...

(29 Posts)
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Andipandy Mon 24-May-21 08:54:03

Hi, my request for advice/thoughts/ideas is quite unusual I think. I am thinking of living in my caravan. I own a house in Europe, but cannot sell it yet, as my mother has the right to live in it. I own it and pay a mortgage on it. She lives in the downstairs flat, I live in the upstairs flat, which I could rent out if I left. I am 65, very healthy, fit, have 3 grown sons who are independant and I have been divorced/without a partner forever. I have worked all my life and raised my sons as a single mother - my mother did help me with childcare when nurseries/kindergartens/schools were closed. I would not have been able to work otherwise. My problem is my mother: she is 75, unfortunately she is also an alcoholic but reasonably fit. In the evenings she is usually passed out in front of the TV. She is often quite nasty to me when she has been drinking. She drinks about 2 - 3 litres of wine starting at about 11 am. I am going to retire in 5 years and will receive my European state pension. I am thinking of how to enjoy my retirement and how to live my life how I want to when I retire. I want to live on the coast in the UK (preferably Cornwall), I am a British citizen, was born in the UK and have worked and lived in the UK when I was younger. My plan (eventually) is to sell my house and buy a cottage in Cornwall. But until then... and this might well be another 20 years, I need to figure out how to best accomplish this. I own my caravan. Does anybody know of somebody who has done something similar?

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Doodledog Wed 16-Jun-21 13:29:35

Caravan sites are largely unregulated, and mis-selling of both caravans/lodges and of rental agreements on the pitches is widespread. I suspect that it will get worse because more people are looking at caravan holidays because of Covid.

I would suggest that you tread very carefully before parting with any money or signing a contract with a site. I have no direct experience, but I know that people have been told that sites are residential when they are not, that they can stay for x years then are asked to renew the licence at a higher rate after a couple of years, and various other malpractices.

If you are on Facebook, there is a group called something like Unhappy Caravan Owners (I don't think that is quite right, but you should be able to find it). They don't recommend sites, but you might get an idea of what questions to ask and which red flags to look for.

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felice Wed 16-Jun-21 13:29:55

What is the European State Pension. I get my pension from a Country in Europe.
Europe is not a 'State', and all pension services are related to each separate Nation ????????
Can I apply for the same one as you ??????

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JaneJudge Wed 16-Jun-21 13:39:29

Is it a tourer caravan? are you used to towing it etc? If so I don't really see the problem if you want to try it out for a while? if you hate it and it is unsuitable you can move back into the flat you own!

A lot of people live in static caravans in the UK now. I am talking of static caravans now but some sites have a clause where you have to move out for 3 or 4 months in winter but if it's in a 'holiday' location there will be locals who have their holiday flat free or low occupancy who would rather have it occupied for those 4 months whilst you leave your caravan empty.

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