Living in a Caravan Vs Living in a house

The 13 pairs weren't all bought at once - I've got plain sensible ones from when I worked in an office, and bright coloured ones which took my fancy (my weakness). I buy less than a pair a year, usually for a special occasion. The last one was last April when Countryfile came to film (though my feet were never on camera).

Don't you have everyday shoes, and "going out" shoes?

Maybe I should count how many scarves I have, or hats for every occasion

interesting thread.

...we have pals who sold their house, downsized to a park home, and spend 7 months a year (over the winter) getting away from the crappy British weather which would, undoubtedly, have had a detrimental effect on one (or both) of their lives.

spending half their time in the warm, among like minded friends, has done them the world of good...

OH and I could (and are happy to) spend half of our lives in our MH (we on our 3rd 2018 break now) but only like to long term in a warmer place...

we have a nice house to return to but the yearning to be 'away' is there from the moment we bought our first van...

we are very lucky, we have good health, can afford to do (pretty much) what we like, when we like.

i chose to reply to DK's post as i felt i could help him out...

...its quite difficult to get Coronation St in Spain, but if your OH does master it, you should be able to find a nice sunny bar somewhere, rather than a 'cold damp awning' (perhaps why we dont have one?....)

also, havent you got round to electronic books?

our pals use Facetime etc regularly, and visit family when they are back in the UK, but with the advent of planes, cars, busses, taxis etc (even in out of the way places like Spain....) it is perfectly possible for 'family' to do their bit, and get out and visit mum and dad....

I have a spare pair of shoes in the caravan, a pair of slippers and a pair of sandals.

The shoes in the caravan are the same as those that I have on at present and I have 4 more pairs of identical shoes under the bed. 

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You are so right WTG the difference is these people aren’t confined to a small area in Sussex and probably not in excessive debt.  

If Mrs One didn’t have her voluntary commitments we do long term vanning and fly back to the U.K. for special events.  Probably wouldn’t let the house out.  I keep dreaming

I think we seem to be forgetting what the OP of this thread said. It was not about people going off to live in Spain for anywhere between two and six months it was about whether people could live in their unit permanently and the consensus  seems to be that very few would actually choose that lifestyle. It matters not about whether they have downsized to a Park Home or whether they rent out their house they still do have the option of returning when that is their only option. The crucial point being the difference between having a bolt hole or whether your only choice is a caravan or a motorhome especially if you are constrained financially. There are of course those that just take what life throws at them on a devil may care basis as they know the state won't throw them out on the street, although I wouldn't be too sure about that. The other side of that are those that take personal responsibility for their own care and wellbeing by being financially responsible and planning for their old age. 

David

I'm not sure that the average touring van is a viable option for long term living. I would have thought that a fifth wheeler with slide-outs would give you the sort of space that you would feel comfortable with on a permanent basis.

On the subject of bolt-holes, some of you will recall I used to have a place in Spain. We had that as an adjunct to our main home in the UK unlike some who sold up everything and relocated. The Spanish property market took a massive hit and some who, for various reasons, now need to relocate back to the UK are unable to do so because they can't afford to but are bale to manage their lives in Spain. They are between a rock and a hard place. I see going for a caravan as the sole dwelling in the same light.

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I suppose Malcolm has slightly improved accommodation over THIS.

I think most of us on here realise the benefits of living in a house but I guess not many know the true value or problems of living in a caravan or MH.  I’m lucky as my brother lives in his Swift Kontiki all year round and spends at least 11 months a year in Europe.  He is single so although tight he manages to get everything in the truck, he also installed additional lockers etc..  He also has stuff in storage in the U.K., including 4 mg sports cars.  His month in the U.K. is spent visiting family, getting MH MOT’d, Doctors appointments etc.  Using his U.K. prescription he can usually get supplies of medication in EU countries.  The reason he can enjoy this lifestyle is that he is solvent.  What will happen when age/ill health forces a change I have no idea.