Senior Mobile Home Parks....Where are the Best? (move, conversation, communities)

[whowants2know]

Owning the land (for a MH) in a decent area (no hurricanes/tornadoes, etc.) is going to run approx $75k+; and you still have to purchase the MH and pay the monthly space fee.

I checked out unitedcountry.com and did not find any single family detached homes (not MH) under 100k that looked like they'd still be standing in a few months, or were not in a completely run down area, or did not need to be rebuilt.

There are many of us who do not have the capital in reserve to spend on continually trying to rebuild a house, or who can afford the $600+/mo mortgage on a condo plus the $150+/mo association dues; plus insurance and taxes. And with the association dues, those are like rent, they increase regularly. Also, one needs at least 20% down to avoid mortgage insurance cost.

And in many cases, depending on one's age, sometimes it works out better to just rent a one-bedroom apartment and forget about trying to buy a home. Yes, people can say that renting is throwing money away; however, I know those who are buying a home (and not an old home) who have to put out thousands maintenance - and I don't have that much money sitting around in the bank to pay for upkeep.

I was just asking where the "decent" 55+ mobile home parks are located. "Decent" means NOT "trailer trash"...defined as no drug dealers, no hookers, no police arrests every night, etc., etc., and not in the middle of a gang-war area. I'd like to be able to sleep at night without gun shots, would like to come home and find my home still in one piece and not ransacked, would like to find that my car has not been stolen overnight.

There are 55+ parks where residents do care, where people are just trying to live a good/quiet lifestyle without having a dysfunctional/crime-ridden environment. This is all I'm looking for. And, a location where I don't have to be swept away by a tornado or hurricane every year, or where I don't have to try and walk on ice every winter, or have to dig out from 2 feet of snow.

Maybe I am asking too much....maybe the days of living in a "decent" area without having to pay a fortune are long gone.

Anyone could stand and point an accusing finger at me and say that I should have thought of this years ago, should have been more frugal...but hindsight is not the answer. I am not looking for a place to buy that will appreciate enough to give me a huge profit down the road. I just want a roof over my head and feel as safe as humanly possible.

[MotleyCrew]

I remember some decent senior mobil home parks in Paradise CA when we lived there. I do not remember the name of them. I do believe the rent space is very reasonable and you can find a mobile there for not very much money at all. It is in the lower pines, lots of shopping, Safeway, Albertsons, etc, and down the ridge there is big box shopping, malls, WalMarts etc. That is where I would look. You would not get much snow and the people are friendly. The town has an old west look to it and has plenty of senior activities.

Quail Trails Mobil Home Park is in lower Paradise. I remember the setting being very charming. I found a couple of decent looking homes between $13,500 and $17,999.
See if it is a senior park, I thought I remember that it was. Best of luck to you.

[MotleyCrew]

I did a check on the little town just above Paradise, called Magalia. We lived there for 15 years. It is very cute and the pines are beautiful. You can actually still buy a mobil home on your own land for $79,000 to $115,000. I found a couple for $105 to $107K that looked decent. You get a little more snow up there, but you can burn wood in the winter and most of the homes come with wood stoves. Good luck.

[Keeper]

I would check out another website in looking for a home as the one you mentioned didn't show homes here that are for sale for less than 100K.
Have you decided on an area or state that appeals to you? If you decide on a state you can then ask for help on the website for that state here.

[brightdoglover]

My father lives in a very small mobile home alone in south Jersey, near a park and public transport. He can walk to the train to Philly and Atlantic City, and can walk to anything he needs (also it's close to everything, so a taxi would be reasonable).
I think he pays about $300/month for lot fee and that includes everything except electric/heat. The mobiles there must be owner-occupied- no renters, which I think keeps some of the bad reputation of mobile parks away. (I think 55+ owner-occupieds might be even better).
The mobile cost $10K in 1984, and needed about $5K of repair/upgrade to make it comfortable. It's just like a small two-bedroom apartment, but it has its own yard/deck, and no neighbors sharing walls or above your ceiling. I think mobile living is a great low-cost solution.
Of course, many areas don't allow it- like suburban areas in higher-priced city metro areas. Come to think of it, my town outside Boston has one mobile park and it's 55+, owner only. Very well kept and pleasant.

[whowants2know]

This is great information about Paradise and Magalia, CA! I prefer CA since that is my home state and I'd love to get back. I will definitely investigate those areas.

Thank you very much!!

[MotleyCrew]

Glad to help.

[rosemary01]

Check out seniormobiles.com Senior Mobile Homes - Find- Buy - Sell
Although I work for the company, it's a great website to find senior mobile home parks and homes that are for sale in senior mobile home parks. In fact, I'm in the process of buying one in Florida myself! Of course I found it on seniormobiles.com There are over 2400 homes listed for sale throughout the country. There's also a list of senior RV parks. Check it out!

[katie45]

Originally Posted by whowants2know

This is great information about Paradise and Magalia, CA! I prefer CA since that is my home state and I'd love to get back. I will definitely investigate those areas.

Thank you very much!!

True, the area of Paradise is beautiful...but, it is "wildfire" country. In fact, they just evacuated most of the city due to another wildfire. That is one of the reasons the real estate is "affordable". There is one road in and out of the town. Not the best choice...I'd recommend checking into other areas.

[katie45]

Originally Posted by rosemary01

Check out seniormobiles.com Senior Mobile Homes - Find- Buy - Sell
Although I work for the company, it's a great website to find senior mobile home parks and homes that are for sale in senior mobile home parks. In fact, I'm in the process of buying one in Florida myself! Of course I found it on seniormobiles.com There are over 2400 homes listed for sale throughout the country. There's also a list of senior RV parks. Check it out!

How is the information for homes for sale obtained? And how is the information maintained/updated? There are many areas I checked that actually have numerous homes for sale; however this particular web site does not list them. Or, homes that sold quite a while ago are still listed as active.