Cost of living in a Caravan / RV
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 жов 2024
- My big question before starting the mobile lifestyle was how much living permanently in my caravan was going to cost me in New Zealand.
Would it even be possible to afford?
Three months into this journey I calculated how much I had spent so far. Now I've been living in the RV for over a year and have a better grasp of the costs. I am spending less than I did flat sharing in Auckland. Rent has dropped an insane amount.
See the break-down of the costs here: travellingk.com...
Help keep these videos going: / travellingk
Follow me on:
Facebook: / travellingk
Pinterest: / travellingkcom
Instagram: / travellingk
The fact that a person can not live in their vehicle on the side of some road for free really should tell us something about our freedom nowadays
It really does get tricky in NZ and it an ongoing new source
So true, dude
Thanks for the breakdown far cheaper than rent or mortgage payments 😎
I was wondering about that, because not being from NZ, I don't know what the pricing is there. Thanks for clearing that up :).
That's not so bad. When you consider having an apartment that you can live in and work from plus running a vehicle, power, water, food, etc it's quite cheap really. I enjoy your videos as they are well edited, they explain things well in a matter of fact way.
Yeah, I can live with this price :) And thank you for the editing and explaining compliment!
9 NZ dollars a night is cheap that's less than five UK pounds wish we could camp for that.
Nice video thanks
It is A LOT cheaper than my old rent!
You can camp for less then that in the UK just go to Scotland as its free and you can camp most places in the wild even at the edge of some lochs but not all because others have spoilt for others like some people do
I live at a campground in Denmark. It has several toilets, bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, playground, mini golf, a pool, a small gym and a few other things. I pay 10-11 dollars per night. It sounds quite expensive in New Zealand I must say.
Oh wow! That sounds amazing! Glad to hear this, as many people have told me the British and European campgrounds are very expensive.
@@TravellingK well, I live there full time, so I pay for a year at a time. If I were to stay at different campsites a few weeks at a time, then the average price would go way up for sure
Makes sense! How did you find this campground? Do you recommend a website or app to find good campgrounds?
@@TravellingK I actually just searched around on google. Don't know how it is in NZ, but here we aren't exactly swimming in campsites. There's quite a few, but spaced some miles between them, so when you know which area you wanna live at, you find maybe a handfull of places, and then even fewer that lets you stay year round. So I found this place after just a short time of searching. It's just on the outskirts of the capital, so close to everything, but still far enough away to get that nice open space nature feel, and just a 30 min bike ride from my work, which is great. I also got double lucky, because I started looking for a campsite before I even had a caravan, but then found this one which was already in the campsite I wanted to stay at, so patio, a big tent, a small shed, everything was already set up and I just took over the spot they had.
@@baconfromhell666 you wouldnt be refering to the one is roskilde by any chance? i have been looking into living there for a few years while studying and was wondering how its like there.
Your break out of expenses is interesting. I have lived in my house (north-eastern USA, by two lakes) for 31 years, now paid for (mortgage Was $1000./month).
Taxes are $500./month. Food (no restaurants) & utilities (electric, gas, water, sewage, trash, phone, internet, insurance, petrol) are $600./month.
For 10 years I lived in a 16 foot caravan in California on & near the Coast, so your life style I can relate to. Simple living with few possessions is good.
Thank you for sharing a portion of your life, it is good to see & hear your adventures. :)
Great video... I live in a caravan in remote north Yorkshire in the UK
Winters are tough in the northern regions of the UK.
Snow storms.
Windy cold weather...
But in the summer it's lovely.
No pollution from living in a big city like London.
It's relaxing freedom...
Truly amazing highly recommended
Glad you liked the video! Gosh, the winters sound more challenging than here! But glad you're overall loving it.
I am retired and live in a 28 foot RV in rural northern Florida in a RV park for $370 per month. You get water, sewer, wifi, tv cable 38 Channels, electricity , dumpster, a parking spot plus yard mowing etc, under huge oak trees. 14 campers total in a rural setting on the edge of town so everything is less than a mile away. I think 4 are owner owned, others owned by park so charge more. No car needed, get around on my power wheelchair. Great for a retiree but a few working families with kids here as well.
Gee that sounds like a great set-up! Really interesting to hear about the price differences.
Travelling K One thing I didn't comment on was propane. Only use for cooking, heating/cooling is electric. Swap out is 20, if I go to gas company refill is 15. Living in rural county is cheap, population is 1225, nearest city is 17 miles. Would be 3-4 times more if in edge of city. Just farms around, growing sheep, dairy cows, peanut and cotton fields, a lot of farm workers here. Laundry mat three blocks away. 3 dollars to wash and dry.
Great channel. Just stumbled across this on my news feed. Looking forward to watching more!
Glad you've come across my channel and hope you enjoy the videos😀
Well done you I think that’s pretty good going. We stay in parks so ours would be much more a year. But we both work and two live as cheap as one. It’s definitely lots cheaper especially in Australia. Electric is so expensive rates etc. so it does mean extra money for saving for those breaks away. And we bought new car and caravan so had no repair expenses not yet anyway. Love your work. 🙏👍
Interesting hearing the differences! Yes, I find it annoying that I'm sometimes am paying for 2 people in the caravan😂😂 Sounds like you have a great set-up!
I spend $1300-$1500 per month for everything for a 2 bedroom apartment, that includes a pool, exercise room. I order groceries about 4 times a year, and I try to save $500-$700 per month for emergencies, gifts, and travel. I am retired with a daughter who,teaches English online to the Chines, so she is free to work anywhere and is currently back in Bali. I will be 77 in October and daughter made 39 today. 3/17 I have supported her from conception, since her dad and I amicably decided not to divorce, but he died of a heart attack when she was seven. He was 22 years my senior.
That's fantastic! Glad you are able to save. But sounds like it would have been tough supporting your daughter from conception??
Yep, I take my bottle before we go on holiday and fill it up at the same time I fill my car, so that way I don’t need a spare bottle and start each holiday with a full bottle 👍 sometimes only takes a few £££s to top up😁
This was your helpful! I’m heading off around Aus next year with my partners and I’m trying to figure out our budget 😊
Oh, I'd be curious to see what you find different! Have you heard of @brettnbrooketripofalifetime they just did a trip around Australia in a caravan and shared their expenses :)
That was helpful although we are in the UK. 😊 We are going to be full time tourers as soon as we have sold our house, so your vlog has given us some idea. Thank you 😊
Lynn Rixson that is really great to hear! I’d be curious to learn the cost difference with this lifestyle in the UK
Travelling K Hi ! We have done a lot of research on site fees in preparation for our travels, and prices vary on our caravan sites. In brief, off grid costs an average of £8.00 a night as opposed to electric hookup pitches which can be up to about £23.00 and no cheaper than £12.00 per night. We have a caravan almost identical to yours, but we are about to change it for a teeny Eriba Touring caravan. This will help with fuels costs because there will be less drag on the car. We are minimalist in thinking, but we currently have 4 dogs, so it will be a happy squeeze 😊😊Other costs we haven’t researched thoroughly yet i.e. caravan insurance might be different if we are living mostly in it. 😊😊
wow, an Eriba Touring caravan is very attractive! I hadn't heard of them. Really interesting to hear the price differences. So it's worth setting up the caravan to be off-grid?
Travelling K not sure as you would have to weigh up how much the gas costs as opposed to an electric hookup. 😊
My latest gas bottle is just lasting forever! I worked out that it's $5 a night extra to be hooked up to the power and my gas bottle lasts around 2-3 weeks. So it is cheaper for me to not be plugged in here :)
Not sure when you had all the fridge issues but food loss from that may drive your bill up. Some of the monthly insurance might be cheaper on 6months or a yearly bill.
It seems to me that that this caravan was meant for weekend trips (hence no installed water tanks) not full time living and that might increase all the repairs (fridge, oven , heater, the plastic doors, etc.). They are probably not built for constant wear and tear. For the car and caravan you can pay more upfront for new or better stuff, or pay for more repairs; it is a gamble because new stuff breaks too.
I’ll agree that UK caravans are more for holidays, so I’ve accepted the fact that things will brake - oh well.
I find food in NZ is just generally more expensive 🤷♀️
Travelling K I was really surprised as to how blooming,,it was to live in AUKLAND, I saw a woman whom, set up 2 shipping containers , had them set up, permanently, has water & her own sewer/system, it was listed on a site which does TIMY HOMES, as much as she spent, it was way less than,,renting,,or own in Wellington stay well, Cheers from NJ,,,,USA🇦🇺🏴🇺🇸
I'm in the U.S. I have a new Airstream and I tow with a new truck. I stay at three RV parks in one year, so I can stay in the best of weather. My cost per year is "U.S. dollar" is $16,416.00 per year. That's food, phone, gas and propane, RV park space, My lic. tabs and my Ins. is an extra $1,856.00.... So living on the road is $ 18,272.00
Hi Scott, that's really interesting to see your expenses - thank you. I love the exterior look of an airstream. Good idea following the better weather around the place.
That's incredible! My rent along cost more than your total expenses, granted I'm in Australia but still awesome!
So helpful! My partner and I are moving into a caravan soon so it's good to get an idea of what things will work out at. I wondered whether you had heard of skinny 4G broadband ? It is $49 a month for 120GB - this is what I am thinking of doing as I think Wireless Nation is too expensive for the amount of data you get.
Glad to help! When I was researching, I found most of the internet companies required the modem to stay at a fixed address - maybe check into that!
Nothing to add. But keep up the great vids and enjoy your journey..
Thank you. That's great to hear :)
Great insight
All the best for 2018
Thank you!
Small correction re yearly food bill: $6954 / 365 = $19.05.
hehe maths isn't my strong point... I kept it general.
I've been hoping you'd give us an idea of costs, thanks
Glad to hear. Anything else you'd like to know more about?
A caravan is limiting to freedom camping compared to a self contained van. You would save more money as well. Thanks for your insight.
Yes, some of the freedom camping sites are tiny!!
@@TravellingK you have so much patience with your caravan. Very inspiring.
Thank you for being honest . Imagine living on a pension and in a van . Be very hard
That is true...
Hello Karen, Greets from deep South. I've applied for large loan for self contained caravan & upgrade to solar power etc & am going to upgrade my old 96 SUV 3.1 diesel manual transmission for 10 years younger & got quote from Covi & I'll dressmake in caravan for retail. I look up to you as a Kiwi Guru of Caravanning & appreciate all you do. I'm wondering if it's a major difference for cabin fever with 1999 to 2004 16 to 18 feet caravan vs 2006 caravan 20 to 21 feet caravan but obviously $7K ish difference ? Just me and my small dog, small space for dressmaking ? I thought the extra few feet would be better but I really don't know. I've established that Diesel 4wd/4x4 turbo is better for towing BUT it seems 50/50 for manual vs auto transmission for towing. Joining NZCA & have plans to do the big OE Overland Experience ! Needing about 18 to 24 months to achieve similar to what you're doing now. I've rented 20 years in 11 houses always moving at the whim of landlords and I'm tired. Need to be FREE by the Ocean & I am aware it's not always a bed of roses but nor is renting and moving around. Age is not on my side but I think it will be cool to do this whilst I can and enjoy the travel and scenery. There's a beautiful caravan in Palmerston Otago Caravan Connection it's 24995 and is a 2006 Coachman Pastiche VERY VERY BEAUTIFUL vs the smaller caravan at Steph's Boxes in AK at 16999 Abbey Vogue 1999. Both offer upgrades at 1799. Your thoughts ? 7K difference between the 2. I think the Pastiche is Gorgeous but 7K ? I think 24 months comfort is an important factor ? Anyway, I'm swotting up on your videos :) They are now my stand by Bibles :) Hope you are all well and much gratitude Karen. Blessed Be
🙏🙃
Understandable that you’re tired of renting! I do hope you love the lifestyle. NZMCA is the way to go. For advice on caravan. Go for the newest you can. And I’m so glad I got a fixed bed. You’ll still want to upgrade parts once you have it too.
Very interesting video. Thanks
Glad to hear!
Thank u!!!!
Hope it helps!
Thanks for doing this (and all your) vid(deos) and being so upfront about it all, Karen.
In retrospect, do you think.... rather spending your maintenance bill.... $3500 on an earlier model caravan and $3500 on an earlier model vehicle, might have been a better move?
I am getting ready to go fulltime on the road in April and am trying to figure out the best way to spend my limited budget. 🌸
Could you give an up to date cost of living in a caravan now a days?
Hi mam really great vedio made and really informative thanks alot and god bless you.....
Might be wrong, but if you spend $18,248.00 a year as stated that is not $375 a month so daily rate is wrong also. But what do I know? 70 year old English man :o)
That's an arty way of doing maths 😜Divided by 12. Divided by 4. Seems to work for me per month since 😀
Where does the 4 come from?
It's $1,500 per month and $375 per week. 4 weeks per month... loosely 😜
Some months have more than 4 weeks so you divide your yearly spend by 52. You spend $24.08 a month less than you think. Sorry I must stop being pedantic. :o)
That's just my lazy way of figuring out the amounts 😜
Ur pretty.. good luck .. in my future i will a buy a caravan.. for weekends.. greetins from Romania!
Thank you. A great plan to caravan on the weekends! 😀
😍
what is the back ground music called its sounds good
I use to get my music through Envato or Audio Cloud 😀
👍🏻👍🏻😎
I don't want to be a prophet of doom but as your vehicle gets older it may start to cost you more not less. Could this be the time to start thinking about changing it, before anything else goes wrong?
krissander1 ‘prophet of doom’ 😂 nicely phrased. Just happen to be getting my WOF done...
WOF???
There is no reason a vehicle shouldn’t last many years if proper maintenance is done on a regular basis. Karen, Im crossing my fingers that you don’t have the issues associated with the engine model in your Terrano!!
Ah sorry - Warrent of Fitness. Every 6 months the car needs to be checked that it's road worthy.
No issues today with my mechanic check! yay! Is the engine sometimes not so good in a Terrano?
Have you tried using davinci resolve instead of adobe it’s free and of the same quality
I need Adobe for my graphic design work anyway, but heard that’s good 😀
Hello Travelling K $68 per month for insurance is way to much, I pay 562 per year for a 21ft 38k van
I'm very curious - who do you insure with?
Covi, through the NZMCA!
I am too! I do have contents insurance too?
Think I have 10K of contents, this is odd, I understand paying monthly is more but surely not that much more!
does your van have an alarm, this one does!
How do you pay for this what job do you do it’s a be interesting
Funnily enough, I'm planning to do a video talking about that soon! I'm a graphic designer and currently have a part time contract job that allows me to sometimes work online and out of the office :)
Buy yourself a little pressure cooker. Save heaps on gas.
Hmmm a nice idea!
Hi Karen,
I didn't understand how you reach to 7220 $ for the maintenance so i look on the blog and what i see : 3300 $ for a solar panel !!
The seller see you " as a american " ( we say that in france it's like to nice dumb ) futhermore i look you as a single women so i think: yes i can bleed her !!
In the past i look also for a solar panel but now i'm not off grid with my caravan, but a day i see Mongol in a yurt, with goat and horse ( so very very poor ! ) and he have a solar panel just pose against it's yurt, i think near china, the price a very cheap ( do you know aliexpress on the net ? ).
In general, caravans specific accessories a very expensive, when i need something for, i always search on amazon or cdiscount ( only in europe ? ) , at this time i'me looking for a 6 places folded table ( for this summer hey hey ! we have a non folded garden table yet but it's too width ) and it's often 50% cheaper on the net that in caravan shop.
In france the gaz bottle is sold as the same price 28-32 €( 13 kg of propane ).
I have questions exactly, because you are "in movement " if you want to order something on Amazon for example, how do you do for the deliver ? at the camp office ?
I enjoy watching your video, and i want to ask you if you are staying to do this again this winter ( for you in NZ ) ?
In the last video, you show us you have friends on board and you are pointing finger on the little space on board, do you consider a little awning ( exactly a store ) ?
So see you later, enjoy the sun ( winter is comming tell me jon snow ! )
Denis.
I do feel that products are more expensive in New Zealand because of the isolation and lack of population. Shipping costs are usually steep.
For delivering items, I sometimes get stuff sent to family who forward it on or I figure out where I'll be and send to a post office or friend nearby.
I'm planning to be in the caravan for winter. Luckily parts of New Zealand are quite mild in winter. I might spend time with family too if it's too wet.
An awning is on my wish-list :)
Gasp...your caravan insurance is too much.
It is expensive here. There is another company that's about $10 less a month but that's about it!
pay it annually - you'll save so so much.
We pay $120 per year for insurance for our caravan which is almost the same as yours. This is with FMG insurance.
did you count write off (reduced value) of your car and caravan and the buying of the car and caravan itself?
No I did not! Hmmm something to consider.
3.3 k fir solar ????? Holly smoke girl .
It was a surprise
ADOBE?//It's called a TORRENT!!!! ..and as per my previous post.. get a WFI GUN!!
I think a lot of your car expenses starts with the age and ks on a secondhand vehicle. Obviously, if you get a new or newer low k car you're better off.
Diesel not petrol
Yeah, we call them 'petrol stations' in NZ so I'm forever saying petrol instead of diesel and don't notice til I'm editing🤔
What about WIFI in caravan??
Did I not mention it? I pay $90 a month. Will be in my blog post in the description 😀
@@TravellingK Sorry I guess I didn't formulate the question correctly.
Like whenever you are in the countryside...outside the city, do you still have access to the internet??
With what company?
Does that internet company work in Europe? Thank you
Your caravan is awesome
Ah ok. I use Wireless Nation which only works in NZ. From what I’ve heard, a good option in the UK is to use a good mobile phone provider and hotspot your phone. I’m not sure if the same would work in Europe?
I think women all ways get charged more for car stuff,
It's tricky to know. But luckily I have a very good mechanic who's a friends dad!
I think men do silly things for pretty/young women. It all evens out in the end.