Revisiting Mobile Home Living
Husband mentions to me that according to his calculations our going on seven years in our double-wide mobile home has saved us about $70.000.00 in what could have been rent costs. As we purchased our mobile home outright and have no mortgage, in about another year, we will break even in terms of what it would have cost us to rent and the cash we paid for our home. Our choice to purchase our mobile home on an almost acre of land (which we own) was determined for our particular circumstances to be better than paying rent. Yes, Husband subtracted the costs of our modest updates to our home of two sheds, walking paths to front and back door and other necessary repairs.
After listening to Husband's comment and due to some increased interest on this blog to a previous post which I had followed up with more thoughts on mobile home living, I decided to again open this topic for discussion. Yes, there is a stigma that comes with mobile home living. I think Husband and I wear that stigma well. Although in no way hyper sensitive to the many preconceived notions of those who choose to live in mobile homes, I do appreciate someone who elevates the status of mobile home living by creativity, attitude and resourcefulness. Theshabbycreekcottage.com does just this and shows how to make a mobile home a real work of home art.
I so appreciate how Gina, of theshabbycreekcottage.com has covered the walls of her mobile home with beaded board, one of my decorating loves! Now, honestly for Husband and I with little DIY ability, this option may never become a reality, but for those of you who are looking for some ideas on how to make mobile home walls more "home like" check out this post! The style, elegance and resourcefulness displayed on this blog, in my opinion, takes mobile home living to a new status!
For those not necessarily interested in mobile home living, do check out theshabbycreekcottage.com for many frugal decorating and gift making ideas.
Any other blog recommendations regarding mobile home living?
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7 Responses to “Revisiting Mobile Home Living”
November 14th, 2012 at 9:25 am
I don’t know why there’d be a stigma to living in a mobile home. I’ve seen the ones from the past ten years and they are beautiful. My friends tiny kitchen in her trailer is more conveniently set up and prettier than my tiny kitchen in a stick built house as I remind her all the time!
November 14th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Maryb:
I agree with you about mobile home kitchens! I have seen many beautiful ones and like the kitchen in my mobile home better than any other I have ever had. I believe the stigma comes from pre-conceived notions of those who live in mobile homes. Also there is a past history of mobile homes actually losing value similar to cars and so not being a wise purchase.
From my personal experience my neighbors who also practice mobile home living couldn’t be nicer and I believe our house has increased in value. As with most any life circumstance, generalizations do not leave room for individual circumstances.
November 14th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
The stigma seems to be a regional thing here. I’ve lived in a mobile home in Pennsylvania and had to face that stigma head on. My children (then elementary age) lost friends because the parents wouldn’t allow it to be known that their children were friends with someone living in a ‘trailer”. Yet, I’ve also lived in Arizona where it is much more accepted. I do have one complaint about mobile home living, and that is it’s not as energy efficient as a home. You are constantly checking that the skirting is in place (if not on a foundation) and trying to prevent pipes from freezing. Overall, I was happy living in my mobile home and saved plenty over the cost of renting.
November 15th, 2012 at 12:37 pm
I’m so excited to run across this thread! As is true with many things, living in a manufactured home (as we refer to them in the Northwest) is stigmatic only if you allow it to be. I would encourage readers to not characterize those of us who have made that choice–I am a middle income marketing professional living in a double-wide manufactured home. My home has had 2 rooms added (family room and a large entry). This more economical housing choice affords me the ability to enjoy a rural lifestyle, living on 10 acres, when I could not have afforded a stick-built home on acreage. http://tinyurl.com/dy8zp66
I’m anxious to hear about others’ experiences living in manufactured/mobile homes!
November 15th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
I grew up living in a mobile home. It was tiny and tight at time with 7 people. It was however well made and a well thought out plan.
My oldest son and daughter in law have a very nice double wide today. It is made just as well as my ‘stick’ built house. They have a nice home with just as much room as our home for less than 1/2 the cost. I am very happy for them. They are just turning 40 this year and their home is paid for. Their land (46 acers) is paid for too. My son works, his wife stays home with 2 children. I am super proud.
November 15th, 2012 at 8:00 pm
Ahhh, I just love how judgmental everyone can be. I live in a neighborhood full of mobile homes, and although mine is a stick built it’s old and run down. It needs a lot of work but we own it free and clear thanks to my grandmother. I think people should be proud of making good financial decisions by living in less “posh” surroundings. It’s hard to not incur debt and use credit cards. It’s hard to be content when everyone is comparing everyone and every thing!
November 19th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Mobile home living certainly carries a stigma, but I think that stigma comes mainly from living in mobile home parks. It’s certainly low cost living, which can easily translate into low income living. I don’t think it’s an issue though. I would rather live in a mobile home on an acre than in an apartment with no land.
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