Living in Utah and Loving It

[Jpp]

Coincidentally, and probably more why I’m here than the fact that the website is called Pippenings, is that I too am about to start living in an older RV/van thing in lieu of a home. Not in any way I’ve seen done before, although I’m sure it’s been done, and I’d love to see links if anyone has any.

I own my house here in St. George Utah, and have zero debt in life whatsoever. Other than my monthly utility bills, which are incredibly modest, I am free and clear. I work two miles from my front door at a brand new state of the art grocery store that is probably the greenest grocery store constructed as to date (probably not, but it’s probably up there!). It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise here, and I’m lucky to live so close to the things I enjoy. I don’t want to move. I love it here………

So I’m single, and not looking……..and I’ve got this small 1,360 sq. ft. house that is about twelve hundred square feet too big for me and my two dogs (Pippen, and Timmy). Did I mention it’s paid for……. oh, and it has a garage. I have to have a garage. I can’t not have a garage, but a house, I can go without.

I considered building a small living area into the garage at first. It eliminated the possibility of the city saying I couldn’t live in the RV full time on the property, and it was a good solid roof with easy access to water/power/gas lines for washer/dryer, gas stove, etc.
I didn’t and don’t like the idea of losing space in the garage, and it’s probably not the healthiest environment considering I’d be parking my cars in there still, and I do store chemicals and solvents in there too.

I decided it was a better option to get an RV that was easily moved/parked and that could be driven on its own. I bought a 1978 Dodge RV/van.

I haven’t touched it much in the last two months since I’ve bought it, but SOON! I intend to fix it up for full time living, and park it right in the back yard. Then, I can rent my house out excluding the attached garage. It’s a bit strange that I’d still be using the garage with tenants, but I’m sure it would not be any problem at all. I rarely work in the garage except for brief projects, and a lot of the time I’m only coming in and out to get tools, etc. I think I can get close to $1,000 per month, and quite possibly have the tenant pay all the utilities (that I’d also be using although not much of). I think I have to legally pay the water bill, but everything else they can pay for. A medical college is being built two blocks up the road from me and will be ready to open in about a year. I believe that to be a good thing for a person in my position.
Everything will be the same, except I’ll be living in an RV instead of a house.
I’ve already cross fenced my yard into three separate zones. One for the renter, one for me, and maybe a mutual area for gardening, or maybe just for me. I’m not sure yet.
The third, or common area, is where the pool is that I converted into a chicken coop, and maybe soon meat rabbit pen where the rabbits can run and burrow into the dirt and not have to worry about escape or predators……..so many projects…. no I’m not a prepper. I just like their style, lol.
The RV will be parked next to the tool shed at the end of the concrete driveway. That would be my yard.
I do enjoy that view. 🙂
I’d do all the yard work and maintenance on the house assuming I was capable, blah, blah, blah…

Anyhow, that’s my story. It’s all a b.s. story right now because I’ve been procrastinating on the actual work I need to do to accomplish all of this, but it’s close.

As a side note, I wouldn’t consider myself a newbie at forums, but I must say this is the first site I’ve come across that doesn’t have an “Introduce Yourself” forum. Straight to the dating forum, lol.
Maybe I’m blind and didn’t see the intro. section.

I’ve watched your videos, and read a bit of your blog. Nice job with all of it, and impressive skills with the projects. Thanks for a place to learn from.

Josh.

[Udo Rehfeldt]

Hi Josh,

Check out this couple with good idea to rent out their house furnished and travel in a van.
Good luck.

— Udo

Preparing to Launch – How to Rent Your House and Hit the Road

[Jpp]

JACKPOT!

(sorry, I had to yell that).

A thousand thank you’s to you sir. The most perfect article, and very helpful.
I owe you one!

Josh

[Author]

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