Mesa, AZ - Not Your Mother's Park Model

Recently, I’ve been thinking about a park model here in Val Vista. If you’ve read this blog this summer, you might guess why. But let me list the problems we’ve had with the RV lately - and these are only since May 20th of this year. (In all truthfulness, let me also say that we had no problems in 2015 - but we’ve sure made up for it this year.

RV: fan fell off the fan hub assembly but was put back on

RV: fan again fell off the fan hub assembly 1000 miles later

RV: Norcold refrigerator broke 2 years after major repair in 2014

RV: new inverter to take care of new residential refrigerator

RV: water pump had to be replaced

Jeep: ding in windshield which will have to be repaired

Jeep: rear differential rebuilt

RV: control panel for the washer/dryer had to be replaced

RV: water heater check valve had to be replaced

RV: new windshield after getting 3’ crack

Jeep: rear end noises again: we have an appointment for next Tuesday.

And, Gary tells me that there are issues that he hasn’t even told me about. Off-da.

Can you understand why I might be wanting to change direction? Can you see why I might be willing to try something new? To think outside the box? To try something that doesn’t move, that is stable?
Well, I have. So, I’ve been looking around here. And, while I’ve seen lots of older park models, I’ve also seen some that are quite elegant. Some that are quite livable. Some that I’ve seen that have everything that I’d need in a home. But, of course, you have to remember that I’ve lived in an 8’ x 34’ box for the last 3 years and have been satisfied. My tastes don’t run large.

But let me show you pictures of some park models that I have looked at recently. Am I going to buy one - probably not but it’s fun to look and imagine.











And, here’s another one I’ve looked at.









Small, yes, but they have all that we need. They don’t take more than an hour to clean, there is no leaf raking, no grass mowing and no snow shoveling. Now, what’s wrong with that? I'm having a hard time coming up with a negative here.

Here’s one fly in the ointment: these are motor vehicles, they have a VIN number and - they depreciate. No matter how well you keep them up, they depreciate. Anything with a VIN number depreciates - especially in the first year. But, you know me, I bought an RV which depreciates too. But, then, I saw lots of homes depreciate also in the last recession, too. It is a home, not an asset.

Here’s another fly in the ointment: it doesn’t move. We can’t get to a new place in this. It will never be by the ocean, it will never be in the mountains, it will never get to - well, it will never get to any place but where it is. It stays in one place and, if you want to use your money wisely, you stay in it for a while each year. Hmmm. 6 months here, 1 month in Iowa which leaves only 5 months for travel.

Gotta think about this.