I'm too poor to be trailer trash!!!

[paigeoliver]

I saw an ad in the paper for an older mobile home (2 bedroom) already set up in a park in my area with a carport and shed, and it was listed for only $2500. Nothing wrong with it, just old (made in the 1970s).

I call the number and talk to the people about it. It all seems great until I asked them how much the lot rental was. They said that grandma was paying $350, but the park said the price would be going up with the next tenant as the prices are higher now.

I ALREADY rent an aparment bigger than that trailer for only $450. How in the world can they charge like $400 for a concrete slab and trash service?

Anyway, I didn't even bother to go look at it, with that kind of lot rental they would have to pay me $2500 just to take the thing. With like $400 lot rental and the extra money it costs to heat and cool those old trailers it would cost me as much to live there as my apartment.

[Bones]

It sounds like you just blew your chance for a guest appearance on the Jerry Springer show.

[daywane]

man... a trailer is a lot better then a apartment.
Lot rent hardly ever goes up. apartments go up at end of lease.

problem with trailers is the always go down in value. Never up.
If I was ever to lose my house for some reason or another , a trailer for me .

I went from apartments to RV to trailer to House.
House was a shock on upkeep and utility bills.

[missioncontrol]

$350 for lot rent....wow   

I pay $185 lot rent on my rental trailers.......

$350 is crazy

[Stingray]

Holy crap! $450 for a trailer park lot? My payment on five acres is only $295, and I'm buying, not renting. That's just crazy!

-S

[fredster]

Yeah, that's excessive.  On a lake with a boat dock here it's $125 and that gets water and sewage.

Power is extra, of course.

[ChadTower]

At prices here, if you were paying $295/month for five acres of anything, you'd be paying until 3015.

[fredster]

I told you about those Yankee prices Chad.

[Stingray]

At prices here, if you were paying $295/month for five acres of anything, you'd be paying until 3015.

Bought the property in 1996. It's paid off next year.

-S

[ChadTower]

I told you about those Yankee prices Chad.

One can get themselves in a lot of trouble talking about Yankees in Massachusetts.

[fredster]

I always do when I'm there.   Like we say down here in TN, you just can't kill enough of them 

[Zakk]

I just added up our monthly bills:
Mortgage: $1790
Gas: avg $200
Hydro: avg $300
Car: $460+gas
Office rent:$300
Realtor fees:$300
Various Insurance:$300
Cable: $60
Day Care: $800

Almost $5000 per month  .  That's it, I'm going to get myself a trailer.  The kids and wife are on their own!

(This doesn't even get into groceries, entertainment, or kids activities and clothes!!. Plus we're lucky that my wife gets a free car/gas/insurance!) 

[Q*Bert_OP]

I just added up our monthly bills:
Mortgage: $1790
Gas: avg $200
Hydro: avg $300
Car: $460+gas
Office rent:$300
Realtor fees:$300
Various Insurance:$300
Cable: $60
Day Care: $800
Arcade hobby: $1000

[paigeoliver]

Zakk, your mortgage is higher than my entire income!!

Does the wife have a large income, if not you might find that you actually have more money if she doesn't work (this removes daycare costs, allows you to ditch a vehicle, and cuts down on a zillion other little costs).

[fredster]

That's not American Dollars Paige.

Must be Canadian.

What the heck is Hydro?  Does that mean water service?

[paigeoliver]

That's not American Dollars Paige.

Must be Canadian.

What the heck is Hydro?  Does that mean water service?

Oh, if those are CANADIAN dollars than, well, that is still a lot of money.

Guess I won't be buying a trailer between now and when I buy my house. Too bad, because I am sick of all the apartment complex noise. But its not like I am going to find a cheaper apartment anywhere that isn't worse than this place, so I'll have to stick it out a few more years.

[Zakk]

Heh, I did the currency conversion at today's rates, that would be a little over 4 grand US each month. 5 years ago that would have been $1500 US, but then you voted in that President... (sorry sorry couldn't resist)

 We spend a lot more than that, but that's 'fun' stuff and things like repairs/emergencies etc. 

As for the wife, yeah she works as a drug rep for 3M, and pulls in six figures as well.  In fact, her salary covers all the costs I spelled out, my income is all extra.  We pay $200 per week for daycare, and that's money well spent

Hydro...Well hydro is Water and Electricity. It's a crown corporation (monopoly) that makes sure we either pay nice high prices, er I mean, reasonable rates, for electricity.

Here, a nice big 2 bedroom apartment with one parking place will run you about $1000 per month, and your place looks pretty nice (if I'm thinking of a picture you posted a while back), so sit tight and be happy!

[Zakk]

I just added up our monthly bills:
Mortgage: $1790
Gas: avg $200
Hydro: avg $300
Car: $460+gas
Office rent:$300
Realtor fees:$300
Various Insurance:$300
Cable: $60
Day Care: $800
Arcade hobby: $1000

Actually, it's shifted a bit:
Arcade hobby: $1000
Reef tank hobby: $5000 

[paigeoliver]

Actually my place isn't nice at all. I live in a decent neighborhood (only a few miles from the encroaching slums though), but my apartment isn't in the best of shape, (carpet is terrible, and it really needs to be painted, have the bathroom redone, and have the kitchen floor and bathroom floors replaced), but I picked this one because the landlord offered it to me for $450, while the fixed up ones (same exact setup, my friend lived in one), are $550.

[danny_galaga]

hang on, are you saying its going to be $400 a WEEK? or is per month? here you can rent a really nice 3 bedroom HOUSE for less (maybe $400 AUS) in a nice suburb. if you didn't already have a record i'd say come to australia paige! i could do with your expertise with arcade machines (",)

(actually its funny about the having a conviction thing since the first white immigrants here WERE convicts!)

[paigeoliver]

My apartment is $450 per month, that trailer pad would have been $400 per month.

Renting rooms/flats weekly doesn't really exist in the US like it does in other countries.

Anyway, I have pretty much decided on buying a house in Hannibal Missouri, I keep looking at the real estate listing, there are always at least a dozen houses there under $30,000, some decent smaller ones at $20,000 even.

I have even gone as far as to join the Hannibal message board (or at least the only one I found, I don't know if there is more than one). Right now it is just a matter of working hard and waiting for the finances to build up, as I am gonna go in without a mortgage.

[danny_galaga]

My apartment is $450 per month, that trailer pad would have been $400 per month.

Renting rooms/flats weekly doesn't really exist in the US like it does in other countries.

Anyway, I have pretty much decided on buying a house in Hannibal Missouri, I keep looking at the real estate listing, there are always at least a dozen houses there under $30,000, some decent smaller ones at $20,000 even.

ok, thats cheaper than here then. you can stay!

[DrewKaree]

Hydro...Well hydro is Water and Electricity. It's a crown corporation (monopoly) that makes sure we either pay nice high prices, er I mean, reasonable rates, for electricity.

I can't believe I'm having to 'splain this to a Canadian, of all people

You don't actually pay a dime for "Hydro", it's free just like your health insurance

 

Hey, Mr Reef tank.....www.garf.org  I got some other links too, but that's where I started putzing around.


I dunno, when I was in NC, lot rents ranged between $250-450 depending on the area.  I'd check around with the local mobile home folks.  We looked at a triple-wide ~80k, and they would've found us a lot.

[Zakk]

I can't believe I'm having to 'splain this to a Canadian, of all people

You don't actually pay a dime for "Hydro", it's free just like your health insurance
 .

Allrighty!  I'll just throw out this $300 bill then!   Hey, why did the lights go out and the UPS kick in.... I figure that it must be one of those "Canadians live in igloos, eat snow, and don't have to pay for electricity" myths.  We pay for just about everything, and the drawback to our 'great' free health care is, I can't even PAY for good health care!  I'm sitting on the chairs in line with crack addicts and bums, you can't slip into the rich line! Oh, and don't get me started on unionized nurses :shudder:

Hey, Mr Reef tank.....www.garf.org

[DrewKaree]

Have you noticed we hi-jack just about every thread?  I blame you 

I credit myself too

I broke a tank in a move once.....everyone thought I was being foolish and wasting time filling it to see if it leaked BEFORE we moved it.....until it started leaking after it was only filled 2"   I lost a 150gal and haven't really recovered since.  I'm starting to move into learning about ponds, which happens to tie in with work.  Creating my very own division means I could afford a trailer pad rental of $450/month, which brings me back full circle to the thread topic.

I at least half-ass a tie-in to the thread.....I think the blame is all yours

[markrvp]

Also, my record is supposed to vanish in 2 more years. I accepted a sentence in liue of a conviction, I can't recall the legal term for it, but I am SUPPOSED to have a clean record once it is all over.

My dad's a judge.  Do you mind if I ask what this was for and what was the sentence?

[paigeoliver]

.

[geomartin]

Man, you guys should try life in sunny California.  Rent on a two bedroom apartment in my county is like $1200 a month average. My new house was just under $450,000 for a mere 1850sf.  I tried to get the wife to move out of state but she and the kids just freak out at the thought of it.

Geo

[daywane]

I think I will keep my bills.
house = 350.00
elect  = 110.00
water = 35.00 to 45.00
baby sitter.... Every cent I make    ( my wife is a house wife, she handles all the bills  )

[General Zod]

Also, my record is supposed to vanish in 2 more years. I accepted a sentence in liue of a conviction, I can't recall the legal term for it, but I am SUPPOSED to have a clean record once it is all over.

Probably when you went to court you made an arrangement or plea with the PD, and took the paper ( meaning ... probation / restitution instead of jailtime ), usually adjudication withheld goes along with that sentence.

Successfully completing the terms of your probation and having paid all fines should warrant you to have said record " expunged " , that of course only in effect if you remained clean during the supervision, no further arrest.

I hear tell it can run some serious coin to actually wipe the slate clean though. Better off just being up-front & honest and let people you've been convicted of felony. They'll respect your honesty.

Bad thing about the record getting expunged, is yes...the actual felony offense is sealed, and nobody has the right to look into it, but what it doesn't hide , is the original arrest.

[DYNAGOD]

average rent here is 1100.00$ -1500.00$
average home goes for 385,000.00, and im not talking about a prize..most go for much more.
im ready to hang myself living in the new england area..the cost of livig is just atrocious

[JackTucky]

sold my house in NJ for 650K.  Bought one in Indiana for 300K (a nice big upgraded, er, estate).

Mortgage next to nothing.
taxes next to nothing
now next to family
nice country life
still working from home.

Art

[Stingray]

Mortgage next to nothing.
taxes next to nothing
now next to family
nice country life

I love living in the country. I can't believe people are willing to pay more to live in the city. I wouldn't live in the city if the rent were free.

-S

[DYNAGOD]

Mortgage next to nothing.
taxes next to nothing
now next to family
nice country life

I love living in the country. I can't believe people are willing to pay more to live in the city. I wouldn't live in the city if the rent were free.

-S

thats only becuase theres no work in the country..

[ChadTower]

sold my house in NJ for 650K.

[fredster]

thats only becuase theres no work in the country..

There's work, there's always work. You don't need too work and make so much.  It's cheaper. 

I hate the city too.

taxes next to nothing

I lived in Indiana. The taxes are 2X what they are in TN. 
I have more services. No state income tax, just a 9.25% sales tax.

In Indiana there was -
State income tax
Property Tax
Car plate taxes
car trailer taxes
Local Income taxes
Dog Tax
School Book rental fees
Sales tax

In TN there is
Property tax
A $50 tax on plates
and a Sales Tax

I was a bonus just moving here even with the big $$$ raise I got.
I feel like I stole from them 

[Stingray]

Mortgage next to nothing.
taxes next to nothing
now next to family
nice country life

I love living in the country. I can't believe people are willing to pay more to live in the city. I wouldn't live in the city if the rent were free.

-S

thats only becuase theres no work in the country..

I have this really cool gizmo called a car. I can get in it and go to my job which is in a city.

-S

[ChadTower]

I have this really cool gizmo called a car. I can get in it and go to my job which is in a city.

Try doing that in Boston.  I DARE you.  You're going to spend 4 hours a day in that car and pay $20/day to park it.

[RayB]

Commutes are a life-drainer. Used to do 1 hour each way, every day. + $150 parking/month.

Now I walk 30 feet to my work... 

[ChadTower]

Exactly.  I used to do 3 hours of commuting every day.  The whole time I would sit there and think I could be spending that time with my children.  That doesn't even take into account the monetary cost of all that car wear and tear/fuel.

My commute is now 15 minutes each way.  I have more hours to spend with my kids and more money to take them fun places.