Full-timing in a small town?

[Dapplecreek]

We will be using our yet-to-be-purchased school bus as a moving van to get across the country. We have property there, but it's leased out. We will probably arrange to move to arrive and take over the place at the lease's end and sell the moving van bus.

HOWEVER, we might keep the bus and add at least rudimentary RV amenities after unloading it into storage, and full-time in it until the lease is up, or longer term while we double down on paying off the mortgage. (Note: this seems really unlikely, but I would prefer to have some plans in place in case it happens.)

Problem #1: the town is toward the northern end of Idaho - sounds like I would need to do the full spray insulation thing to keep from freezing my poor wife. If we went this way we might buy the bus a year early and do the insulation and new ceiling, walls and floor in addition to the mere removal of seats we have planned. That way it would just take a few sheets of plywood and some 2x2s to rough in the RV bits. Boondocking with just a tiny propane heater doesn't appeal, but neither does the cost of a wood stove.

Problem #2: where to park? It's a small town, and the county has restrictions on long-term stays at RV parks (6 mo in a rolling 12). And RV spots with electricity come to between $300 and $520 at the cheap places. at that price we might just as well rent an apartment. Of course, should we get rousted we could always go across the state line into Washington until things cooled down.

OR... maybe we could find someone who would let us run an extension cord to the barn for cheap? I would prefer not to drive to a new Wal-Mart or truck stop every night.

What have other creative sorts done?

[AlleyCat67]

You might look and see if there are any state parks around that offer year-round RV camping.... the only caveat to that is there might be a maximum length of stay just like RV parks, but they might be a little cheaper. RV parks around Nashville where I am are upwards of $50 a night but state parks are only about half of that.

Also look in the housing section of Craigslist under Parking/Storage, you might find something there. If nothing else, post a wanted ad under housing wanted and spell out what you're looking for.... someone with some space and looking for a little extra income might be willing to let you park on their place. And since it's private property the county can't say jack about it.

[Versatile]

A Ranch or big crop farm might make a deal with you as you parking bus at at say there grai storage operation or cow lot. You being there keeps the thieves away.

[DoubleO7]

Originally Posted by AlleyCat67

And since it's private property the county can't say jack about it.

LOL, you kidding, right?

[milkmania]

Originally Posted by DoubleO7

LOL, you kidding, right?

I gather he's talking about length of stay... But, ICBW

[AlleyCat67]

By that I mean they can't really enforce that 6 months out of a rolling 12 BS.... if you're staying on an individual's property with their permission. It's not an RV park, after all.....

[milkmania]

If you're passing through Arkansas without a schedule... I found this on CL
http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f9/pas...tml#post173079

[milkmania]

Winner winner chicken dinner

[DoubleO7]

Originally Posted by AlleyCat67

By that I mean they can't really enforce that 6 months out of a rolling 12 BS.... if you're staying on an individual's property with their permission. It's not an RV park, after all.....

They can if they have a rule against an unpermitted dwelling unit, etc. on the property.
Which a long term stay could be viewed as.

And many cities, towns, counties, etc. do have on the books.

But you could still roll the dice anyways until if and when they get on you to move along.

[Dapplecreek]

Originally Posted by DoubleO7

...But you could still ... move along.

Which in a bus is certainly doable.