A differnt way to relocate to Lewisville area? (Dallas, Fort Worth: rent, insurance)

[loves2read]

I hope you have security system in the house you will be leaving--and you have responsive local police and nosy neighbors that will help prevent breakins....

[Jherbst]

I actually like your idea, I never thought of that kind of scenario. We are in the same boat, trying to sell our house and move to Texas. Our house here in Nevada is not worth much more than we paid for it, if any, and it would be hard to pay for two houses until our house sells, I am not sure I could live in an RV with 4 kids though.

[Raineytx]

WELL. we only have 2 kids and a dog. It would not be the greatest arrangement but will allow us to get there and be comfortable paying for a mortgage while we wait for the house in RI to sell in an uncertain market. Wifr and family are on board! Purchased the travel trailer this past week-36' long. All the amenities of home-2 bedrooms, bath, kitchen etc-what more do two working people need with our kids there with us? Bought the trailer cash so we own that free and clear-just have to pay the lot rent.

[Ldunn1001]

That sounds like a good plan. We have traveled alot in search of a place to call home ourselves and have also considered getting an RV. The RV park at Lake Lewisville is pretty nice as far as I know. Not sure what they charge. The other option would be a "by the week" hotel such as Budget Suites or InTown Suites, which we have stayed at often but they have cable TV, laundry, a kitchen, pool, and linens/dishes, etc if you need them as well as maid service (but of course that last little bit cost extra). Best of luck to you guys. Welcome back.

[Raineytx]

We found a RV park where the rent is about 400/month-pretty cheap with a paid for (slightly lived in) RV. We are having a few things done to the RV to get it ready. Ordered 4 new tires, had the axles greased and the roof sealed. Ihave a few housekeeping items to do but not much. Sounds like this plan will work! I can't think of a better way to do this given the housing market and the possibility of locating too good jobs soon! Called the school district to see about enrolling the kids-we just need a receipt showing the lot rental we paid to get the kids into the school. What a deal! What do ya'll think-chime in...

[Incontrol]

That's the way I came to Texas about 12 years ago. Thre teens, a dog and a bird, in a 40 ft. motor home. It's surprising what you can put up with when it's for the best for all the family. We stayed in it for a year and survived. Good luck!

Mike

[Raineytx]

HEH-how about that. We made a "dry run" to try out our new to us 36' RV to Bangor Maine about 700 mile round trip. It was an adventure toting that size behind a truck but we survived. We even looked like experienced campers setting the thing up. Well, it was cold (about 40) and raining. We did all right. It was kind of cool driving up to Maine --at lunch time you could stop at the rest area and go to the trailer and get lunch out of the fridge easy enough. No searching for bad fast-food on the road. Everyone should do that! I think we're going to go to Texas this way. Incontrol-anything I should know about living inone of these for a year like you to keep the sanity....? Please let me know!

[nsumner]

I have to say "hats off to you". That is very gutsy of you to do this. Although, I would love to have an RV to travel in, I am not sure that I would want to stay in one for more than a couple of nights. I am totally green about them to be honest. Does the air conditioning work just as well as in a house? Is there a meter where you park and that feeds your electricity? It is very hot out here.

Do you have a back up plan just in case?

Naima

[loves2read]

first of all in my book---

you need to make sure that you get a dog tag for your dog when you check into your RV park using current address--most cities require registration in addition to current proof of vaccination that you get from the vet--and make sure vaccines are up to date--especially the one that protects against Coronavirus.
Check the leash laws for the RV park and the town and follow them-
and if your dog has a chip make sure you change your address with the company that will be contacted if the dog is lost/found--

there was a bassett hound found in our neighborhood a month of so ago that had a chip implanted--out of state/date tags--the address for the owner was in Tuscon AZ and was several years old--
the animal shelter had the dog and people who found her tried to put up signs and find the owners but no luck as far as I know--maybe she was dumped--it happens--

anyway-IF your dog has one, make sure the address is current...you might consider getting one--some vets do it fairly cheaply--you also need to make sure you keep your dog on a preventative for mosquitoes/heartworms/flea-ticks--they are out there and where you are living might be more difficult to keep pest-free than in your home/yard...

You probably made sure that you have adequate insurance to cover your new living situation--I don't know if your homeowner's policy will cover your living in this new state or if you need other type of policy but make sure you have adequate liability and homeowners insurance...especially for things like storm damage...

would also suggest that you have some type of tent/canopy/awning for outside living--maybe something you make yourself with shade cloth--that is pretty strong material--they use it at car dealers to shade cars and block hail and in general it works pretty well--
there will be time when it is claustrophobic inside the RV and being able to get out would be good--some RV sites have trees and natural shade--some RVs have a pull out awning to use--not sure how much useable shade that provided when the sun rotates and the RV is fixed...

as far as keeping mosquitoes away from your living space--
read the other day that spraying regular orange Listerine around outdoor areas like your pool or patio ws good way to keep mosquitoes away--just put it in spray bottle and spritz away--do it around the porch of the RV if you have one--around the doorways/steps--around any outdoor tables/chairs/grills--you can do it as much as you like--not a health hazard and not toxix to pets--so if your dog might be spending time outside--spray some around that area as well...it is pretty hard to be outside in evenings or mornings and not be bothered by them most places...

you might consider how well insulated your RV is--I am thinking that if there is not much shade where you park, your RV could run up some strong electric bills--don't know if there is money to make a reflective roof since you are getting it sealed but think there is paint that you can use that will help reflect the sun and make it cooler--
maybe some solar screens for windows that get majority of afternoon sun

not saying crime is rampant where you will be but thieves can be anywhere especially in the tightening economy and RV parks can have mobile populations where people don't really know their neighbors or their cars to tell familiar from strange---

make photos of all your electronic items with the S/N showing and any other valuables you have with you and store to disc that you keep in safe place --Might consider getting a safety deposit box at a bank nearby and not try to keep important documents in the RV--and check your ins policy for theft coverage

get some very good locks for bikes if you are bringing them and make sure you have engraved your name address on some part of the bike--police will let your borrow an engraving tool I think--
don't make a habit of leaving anything outside that needs to be inside--
I would think the park has security lighting at night that would offer some lighting for your car as well

and might also suggest getting mailbox at the post office--don't know how your mail would be delivered at an RV park--to your unit??--pick it up at the office??--
having a postal box you can get to the mail 24/7 == you just can't have FED EX delivered to po box...not recommending something like a po box as a copy shop--but a real post office..

consider having a policy of taking shoes off OUTSIDE on the porch or right inside the doorway--personally I tend not to wear shoes inside the house anyway but have a pair of whatever shoe/sandal people might want right by the door and change out when you come/go--it is a hassle but think that would help a good bit with the dirt you might bring into the RV because I am thinking the area around RV will be more dirt than grass...

buy some headphones for use with things like Xbox (maybe even the tv) since people would be doing more than one type of activity at a time -- Ipods are usually used with earphones and music is still too loud but that is hard to correct...
-- helps within the house and to keeps neighbors happy...

don't buy anything if you can't/don't throw/give something away to compensate

check out where the local library is--most libraries have computer access to Intenet, some have info on job hunting with copy machines, Cds and movies to lend not to mention books, newspapers and magazines--cuts down on clutter, saves some expense, and gives you a feel for the community...plus they have A/C and if you are not at home, you can cut back on yours...

probably overkill but maybe some of them are helpful...

[Raineytx]

wow-some great ideas! Thank you. The a/c works great-piped into the bedrooms and living areas by roof vents. Our roof was resealed and it is bright white. I was in the trailer today after work (no a/c on) AFTER it was locked up all day in 87 degree heat and it was not too bad in there-A/C should be no problem. You just set the thermostat and it does the rest.
Good