Should I become trailer park trash?

[Madd Hatter]

I'm 23, graduated last year, and my apt lease is up in July, and it looks like I'm on my own. I could
A) Rent an apt by myself to the tune of $550 or so a month plus utilities and have nothing to show for it.
B) Buy a smaller, older house or a townhouse to the tune of $650ish a month plus utilities (bordering on unaffordable for me)
C) Buy a mobile home w/ garage and pay way less, or the same payment with half the interest.

I don't want to do A, one reason being if I can spend the same amount and have something to show for it, why not do that. But I'm a tightass by nature, and I despise spending a lot for a residence. So if B or C is gonna be more than an apt, I'm not that crazy about it. And it turns out it may be impossible to find a house with everything I want (garage, more than 1 bathroom, not in shit condition, not in a shit neighborhood) for less of a payment than an apartment.

So my mom brings up the mobile home thing. I'm like, great, maybe I can get a few more tattoos and then I can really be white trailer park trash. But there's some nice parks, and anymore the mobile homes aren't really trailers, and don't really look mobile. They look nice. They're like 20k-50k including garage depending on how new they are. And yeah you're paying lot rent, but it's still cheaper than apt rent or a house payment. And in a few years, you at least have a few grand to show for it. They depreciate like cars, not appreciate like houses usually do.

So anyone have any input here? The only thing I really have against the mobile home thing has to do with the stereotypes they have. I'm not crazy about the park idea, but I could deal. Financially, would I be better off to get a mobile home or get a house that takes all my free dollars a month? I don't know how long I'd stay there. Could be a few years, could be forever.

 

[HumorMe]

Why don't you buy a duplex and live in one side and rent out the other. Make your renters pay the majority of the payment if not all. You build up equity plus you have a free place to live minus your utilities.

Downside: When things start to break (water heater, central air, oven, plumbing, etc.) you are responsible but still it is something that you could live in and possibly move out of in a few years and rent the whole duplex. Just a thought.

 

[Natymike]

Stay out of the trailer, you need to keep some form of dignity.

Humor me brings up an interesting point. If you can land a loan and buy a duplex that will put up positive cash flow then it sounds like a great idea. My parents own two of them and they are very profitable, and you don't have to worry about rent, just collecting. But obviously buying a 100K+ piece of property and getting into enormous debt is a big deal so do some research or just rent an apartment.

Oh yea, stay out of the trailer. Its no place to live when you have a college education.

 

[fistfullofsteel]

every father wants their son to wind up in a trailer and every father wants their daughter to pose for playboy and/or make porno films.

 

[WODIN]

If you go b then humourme's option is your best choice.

If you go c then buy a large enough parcel of land that you can build a house on overtime then sell the trailer when you have the house built.

 

[GLADIATOR351]

stay away from the trailer park.. it's like a blackhole... once you get sucked in you can never get out.

(and no.... I am not speaking from experience)

 

[Y_lifter]

Buying a Trailer is like buying a Car...
The value goes down the older it gets.

The appearance and mechanical items also go downhill real fast.

Stick with an Apt. or buy a Condo if you want Equity and can't afford a house.

 

[frorider6]

You either ARE trailer trash, or you ARE NOT. You cannot BECOME. Look inside for your true self. Or look for the washing machine on your front porch. Seek answers until they are found.

 

[polarpixie]

You either ARE trailer trash, or you ARE NOT. You cannot BECOME. Look inside for your true self. Or look for the washing machine on your front porch. Seek answers until they are found.

I wish I was trailer trash. They always seem to be having a good time. That's probably due to all of that self-medication, but I would not have a problem with being an alcoholic or a druggie if I was trailer trash either.

I'm not saying that is what you will become Madd Hatter, I just wanted to talk about myself for a second. I think it sounds like it might be a smart move for you. Just stay away from your neighbors.

 

[pushing_fe]

You can always tell people. I ain't no G, I'm just a regular failure
I ain't straight outta compton I'm straight out the trailer.

 

[rnch]

Buying a Trailer is like buying a Car...
The value goes down the older it gets.

The appearance and mechanical items also go downhill real fast.

.........i disagree. the newer manufactured holmes, espically the fleetwood, oakwood and palm harbor brands are built very well, to the same specifications as houses are.

my broly bought one 2 years ago. i went from rude ribbing to grudgingly respecting his choice. an acre of land and a palm harbor home is starting to look very good to me!

 

[VicTusDeuS]

Go with B. Buy a town house.. Its probably going to have more than onebedroom and you probably could get 300/month from other unsuspecting individual who may wish to rent from you. You then save 300.00 and have all the benefits to having your own place. Only thing you have to worry about are Utilities which can be split between the two of you and property taxes. If you get a 3 bedroom townhouse, You can get 2 roomates..Its just like having the duplex except without having to pay all the money and get into all the debt.

 

[Natymike]

.........i disagree. the newer manufactured holmes, espically the fleetwood, oakwood and palm harbor brands are built very well, to the same specifications as houses are.

my broly bought one 2 years ago. i went from rude ribbing to grudgingly respecting his choice. an acre of land and a palm harbor home is starting to look very good to me!

True but a manufactured home is not a trailer or mobile home. Trailers and moblile homes depreciate.

 

[Y_lifter]

Originally posted by Natymike
True but a manufactured home is not a trailer or mobile home. Trailers and moblile homes depreciate.

Thanks Naty.. You stated exactly what I was going to say,only sooner..

Tru Dat, A Manufactured home is actually just like a normal wood frame house except for it is made in a factory in sections and bolted together at the site. Sometimes even on a slab..
They are a good alternative to a Site built house.

A mobile home is Delivered on Wheels, jacked up and strapped down with big Screws into the ground so it does not fly away.

Sure Mobile homes especially Double wides look pretty much like a real house from the inside. Very nice

 

[b fold the truth]

Do what you can afford.

Nothing wrong with poor white trash..I promise. I like being from Kentucky.

B True