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I'm a first year student at university and have to decide where to live next year. My boyfriend of 3 years is at the same uni as me and it would be nice to live together come the second year. The other day my boyfriend mentioned the two of us living in a campervan. I don't know anything about it though. My main concern is money. Obviously the living costs are cheaper than a house which is great, but we'd have to buy the campervan in the first place and seen as we're both students we don't have lots of money (get about £1,400 three times a year to cover all living costs). Is there any way you can pay for that sort of thing in installments? Also, can you only live in special camping areas? Or is it possible to park in other places and live there,we obviously need to be near the uni,would this be tricky (we live in Cardiff if it helps)? Also,an expensive campervan is obviously out of the question but I'm weary of cheapness in case there's something wrong with it that we can't afford to fix. What sort of things should we look out for and what things would cost a lot to mend if we bought a cheap second hand one? Any advice at all would be fab
I have been living in my motorhome for over 2 years now and although it is a relatively cheap way of life you do have other considerations.
To insure the van for fulltime use we pay about £1000 which will be taking a very large chunk of your budget. You will have the MOT to pay for, campsite fees etc.
Most campsites allow you to stay for a max of 21 to 28 days so you would have to move regularly. It is possible to camp outside of campsites - wildcamp - but you really have to pick your spots and wouldn't be able to really stay for more than a day or so anywhere. Many people do not feel safe or comfortable doing this.
A basic CL (certified location) - which is usually no more than a farm field with water and waste provision and maybe electric will cost you around 5 to 10 pounds a night to stay at, depending on the facilities. To use these CL's you would have to join The Caravan Club. Larger sites can cost anywhere from £10 to £40 a night, depending on facilities and season.
This is all after you have paid out for the van. It is possible to gets van's on finance - or get a personal loan from the bank to buy one, which would allow you to pay in installments but I think you are really going to be pushing it on £4200 a year - especially when you have to eat as well!
A cheaper alternative - dare I say it - could be to purchase a small used caravan, if you already have a car. You could get one of those quite cheap (perhaps under £1000)and would not have any need for expensive extra insurances etc. Seocnd hand caravans tend to come cheaper than motorhomes at the lower end of the market as you are not paying for an engine too! There would also be less to go wrong mechanically.
As you will both be studying, you are going to have to consider the layout of the van or caravan very carefully. You will both need to be able to spread out and work comfortably - something I couldn't do in my van very well - and would you need internet access etc? Another expense.
I would never disuade anyone from full time living in a motorhome as it is a fantastic way of life. However, there is much to be taken into consideration. If you have weighed it all up and discovered you can afford it, you find the right van, plenty of room etc then go for it .... you'll love it, I do!
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