Joy112

Does anyone live in a caravan on a campsite? Really fancy this now I'd just like to get some feedback on what its like and the cost etc Never thought I'd want to get out of Britain,but I'd pack my case tomorrow

Rosemary

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Cannot help you with your question but am sure that someone will be able to. Work is not plentiful in Spain at the moment so if you need to work it is not necessarily a good time to come. Where you interested in a particular area of Spain?

Please let us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

missile

I would suggest you rent before you buy.

I guess you know it gets very hot in the summer, but you may not appreciate how cold it can get during winter .

steviedeluxe

I've often wondered about the heat in summer aspect. Do people sleep outside their caravan at night?
As for winter, I've known people live in a caravan during a British winter (which is almost always colder than the Med coast). I'd hate to do it myself, but it shows it can be done.

missile

For sure it can be done and I know those who do. Some caravans are better insulated and equiped than many homes in spain.

Michael74

Having caravanned over most of Europe but not recently so cannot give any indication of prices now, except to say, in Spain, if that's where you were thinking of there is large increase in pitch fees for the months of July and August, although some times it is possible to negotiate for long stays. The longest we stayed in any one place was three months.

Prices will very dependant on the level of facilities that the camp site offers. With laid on entertainment, restaurants, pools etc the price will obviously be more than those with out.

Also look for facilities such as electric hook ups, even water hook ups on some top sites. Gas should be readiy available nearby. Look for the normal conveniences such as hot shower availability (some are for restricted hours) clean toilets etc. If in France there are still some continental toilets in existence (i.e. the long drop!) Some sites will charge extra for awnings and also for dogs. I think the latter is to put people off bringing dogs as the barking at night can cause complaints from other caravanners, it pays to check.

For a long stay I would be inclined to go for quiet and peaceful sites as the more popular sites can get very noisey and crowded in the holiday periods. Check that the sites are open all year as a lot do close for the winter months.

My suggestion is to try different sites until you find one suitable for your tastes and somewhere convenient to do your shopping locally as campsite shops are always overpriced.

Also go online on one of the caravan magazine sites and discuss your needs on their forums. Have found them very informative in the past.

jonnyx

We live in a motor-home, since more than 10 years. The first 6 month on different campsites. It was OK, but not in the long run, to less privacy and to expensive. After 6 months we rented some plots on the countryside for about 3 ears, but then we decided to buy one. And we are intending to stay on this plot, I do not think our motor-home will relocate any more. Maybe we will build a house and maybe not, the future will show...

Rostra

Sorry to bring in the boring realities of life, but not all campsites allow you to live there. You need to be on one that does, otherwise you won't have an address from which to become resident. Your European Health Insurance Card is only valid for emergency treatment as a visitor, for up to 182 days in any one year. No access to specialists if you get really sick.

Also, I live in a big modern static van in the UK from May to September, and I really wouldn't want to be here either in the UK winter (and Spain's can be colder), or in a Spanish summer. Try it before you commit yourself.

Having said that, I love living in Spain, and I love my van.

Lenox

There are a couple near here (Mojácar) which have permanent trailer homes on them. Cheap but no doubt not very fine living. One has campers, tents and so on, plus the trailers for rent. It has a bar, shop and so on. You wouldn't get to learn much about España on those sites however...

JLFS

Wow, I can still remember the first caravan I saw in the UK, I had never seen one in Spain before,and I thought it was fantastic, I wanted us to move into one straight away, it was on the neighbours drive, and I stood on my bike seat to look inside through the window

I fell and had a couple of stitches in my head, but it was worth the pain because I was allowed ( by the neighbour/owner) to sit in it for about half an hour.

I was easily pleased in those days.

Saxy

Hi Joy,
The only residentual caravan site I know, is 'The Colmar' at Covera Fumar, a few kilometers north of El Compello, Alicante.
(Google Earth co-ordinates 38degs. 27' 26.20"N, 0degs. 21' 30.30"W)
I will be seeing one of the residents either tonight, or next Monday.
Will put your questions to him

John.

lynnxa

we have at least one residential campsite in Jávea - I know people who live there & wouldn't live anywhere else


http://www.campingelnaranjal.com/

there is another 'camping' here, but I don't know if it has residential plots

Michael74

Just a couple for you to look at, but I'm sure you will find pretty well on the coast in Spain that are open all year.

I have stayed at camping Rio Mar for about seven years running before buying a house here and I knew an elderly couple that were permanant residents there for all of that time.

www.campingpepe.com and www.campingriomar.com both these sites are between Oliva and Denia on the Costa Blanca

jonnyx

I can really recommend:
Camping Parque Tropical

Its located in the outskirts of Estepona, and has a nice indoor pool.

jaks123

dont know if this will help ,my daughter lives in play flamenca and rents a 2 bed ground floor app with garden 350e per month bills included nice place .waiting to go myself once there dont think ill come back either nothing in the uk for me .