Realistic to own an Airstream on small income?

[airstreamjudy]

I purchased a cheap vintage AS. I have approx $10,000 in cash and lots of hours in the renovation/retrofit. There are still many projects to complete and a new project get added to the list everyday. If you are not handy you'll need to hire a professional at $50 to $85 per hour (most are not worth $10 per hour). I'm not telling you not to - just understand there are hidden expenses everyday.

I paid $600 per month including electric during the time that I was doing the renovations. Mind you, it's not easy to find a RV Park that will let you dump all your old junk in their yard or dumpster. I got lucky. By pure accident I found another RV Park that I pay $315 per month plus electric (about $100 per month) with club house, activities, great pool and just a lovely place to be.

I put a new a/c unit in - it runs 24/7 and keeps me very cool (it's been about 90+ every day). I do use heaters in the winter - yes, it does get cold in Florida.
I listed my two houses for sale - they both sold within a day of each other. I then made the decision to move into the a/s until I decide my next move. My next move is to stay in the a/s and enjoy my "YANKEE TRAVELER RV Park". Great living. I purchased a/s without a title - when I wanted to move her I called a tow truck company. When I want to take her to get repairs from a a/s repair facility I call the tow truck. Friday, last I received my title and now I'll beable to do my own towing.
Good luck with your research and don't be afraid - it's a good life in an a/s.

[snog]

$hide,
indeed, you bring up some good points. being very ignorent about airstream/rv living, i have no idea what's involved. i wouldn't be able to handle the tasks you'd mentioned. i can't easily get on my hands and knees; my joint stiffness grow worse with the passage of time.
um, as for your contention that my income is too low, well, there have been many times in my life that i've paid more than 75% for housing, including utilities. and with a mobile home purchase [i'm expecting to pay cash, btw], i will pay at least 50% that with lot rental and utilities. but i have few needs, outside of rent/utilities/cellphone and food. i've always made it on very little money. i budget well, and indeed, have been able to save over 25,000.
i don't have any 'old junk', really. i have the basics and little else. i am a minimalist.
airstream judy- thankyou, too, for your responce. while i just love the apperance of the airstreams, especially the vintage ones, i realise that it's not realistic for me to live in one full time for many of the reasons people have stated here.
i have reconciled myself to buying a mobile home here in massachusettes. my sister convinced me, and rightly so, that the tucson region would be way too hot for me. i do hate the heat, really. we here in new england are just getting out of a 3 week period in which it's been hot and humid and i'd been miserable. but the thing with NE is that summers are short! i'd be much happier were it autumn year round, lol. i hate summer and am always happy when it's over.
lol, i just looked at the date of my last post: it was in march. of course, when it's chilly, it's easy to think that heat would be desireable. not so. i'd rather shiver than be boiling and sweating! i can always get warm, really. a heavy wool coat when outdoors and in bed with my heated matress pad in the winter. i also use a little heater to help warm the room when not in bed.
judy- thankyou, though, for your encouragment. perhaps one day i can rent an AS and go 'camping'

[slowmover]

Currently, a used STREAMLINE would be the least expensive aluminum trailer. Better built and insulated than an Airstream with more storage space and a far better bathroom. Aluminum cabinetry. No frame sag or axle deterioration problems. Only wood is cabinet faces and subfloor.

All aluminum trailers have problems, by make and by individual unit. But some are cheaper to repair and to upkeep. A/S costs the most to buy and the most to repair among used trailers. SILVER STREAK and AVION are two other brands that would serve well.

Always check for floor rot (do a search) and learn how to inspect in bathrooms, near door, etc.

I would also consider having the A/C wired separately from the trailer electrical system so as to remove that load on an older trailer.

I would have washer/dryer in a stacked unit in a separate small storage building. RV clothes cleaning is slow, inefficient and a possible source of problems.

Use this site to search:
http://www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cg...mit=++++go++++

There have been a number of 31' and 33' Streamlines available this past year for low prices and good condition. This trailer was in production thru 1973.

Marmoleum flooring (or cork) with throw rugs is the way to go after any subfloor repairs.

[AIR-Quarius]

Theres one in Minn. that is airstream only that is way out in the other side of 'over yonder'. You ought to check out also living by means of the Army corps of engineers where they actually supply your living space and utilities to various degrees in trade for your work/help. And they have locations everywhere and some of them even have cabins and such- you just have to google them up and read about it. But if we go this route (which we probably will starting out)...it will always be a sound destination that you can afford. Check out the Corps of engineers.