Lately I've noticed around Omaha and Topeka areas that campgrounds that are normally empty this time of year are full of campers with vehicles sitting there. People are actively living in their campers. Are there that many people in trouble? At todays housing market it's not a bad idea to sell a house for a ridiculous price. But then there's that capital gains tax.

People do what they have to, to survive.

Only capital gains on your primary residence (lived there at least 5 years) if over a certain amount difference from when you bought until you sold. It used to be a $300,000 difference before capital gains applied. It might be higher now.

There's a lot of people who like the mobility and freedom of living that way. If Marty was still here, he might chime in on such situations.

I have couple relatives that are retired and no longer own a home. They have one camper parked here in the north country and one down south. They migrate back and forth between campers. When they first started doing it the pulled their campers wandered around. Eventually they found a place they liked down south. Not wanting to drag camper back and forth they now have two. So yes there are people living like Gypsy.
Now we also have here locally what they call unsheltered people. Those campers usually stand out because they only move around town. Also most look like they shouldn't be on the road. Have blue or brown plastic tarps on roofs.. Those are whole different type of people.


Mac

The work from home era lets people live that lifestyle. If I didn’t have a decent job that I have to show up to every day I would consider it.

I knew a couple folks that bought campers when they retired to "see" the country, after a couple years they got real tired of it, lot of logistic problems.
They eventually land in year round campgrounds, think Trailer parks, obviously some are nicer than others..... lol

It makes me think of "travellers" or the derogatory term gypsies in the UK.....maybe it's gaining popularity here, but over there it's most definitely a thing.

Not only campers but in smallish sheds either pre-fabbed or built on site.

The folks spent 10+ years towing an Avion trailer with a boat on top of the truck shell. Back then gas was cheap and they bought into a national campground chain and paid a buck or so a night. Also camped on BLM land often. Dad had the west charted as to when the best fishing was and where. Good ride 'til he had a stroke and then they retreated to a house. Never had a problem with bad guys, but I wouldn't recommend it today.

camper living in the winter with wind howling has to suck. the price of housing anymore I can understand why folks are trying different living arrangements though

Tiny home/ suppose 'd off grid life

Wonder what the daily, weekly, monthly or annual rates are for campgrounds ?
Where we go in the summer is $100 or better but half that in the off season.
Seems the "lot" rent would be near $ 1500 or so a month (on average) ?
Plus all the other stuff one needs.
Seems expensive to me.
But, I never really looked into it.

I see campers in this cold country that people in here. I see more of it now than I ever have before but not sure what the reasoning is or why.

There are people who live in state parks and move positions every couple of weeks. If they use "primitive" sites and generate their own power, it can be pretty cheap. If a park is near a larger town, they can get a gym membership to have decent, year-round showers. I suspect it more common in the lower half of the contiguous 48 than more northern latitudes

Want to get an idea of how many have become "nomads" ? Visit Quartzite AZ sometime in the winter.

I think you get a break or out of the capital gains tax if you sell your primary residence and have lived there at least the last 2 years. If it's a rental you can do the 1031 exchange and also not pay any taxes. I don't know the details since I'm not going ro be selling anything anytime soon and programs tend to change. But reading up on tax benefits of owning rental properties has me really thinking about buying some if and when we have another collapse in the market. That or build one or two on the farm for 55 and over zero steps, wide doors walkers and wheelchairs can get through, zero entry showers and tubs, extremely well insulated and solar electric systems to help with very low energy cost. The boys and I could keep all the yard and landscaping perfect. Seems like a nice added income stream for when I retire. And would be there if and when I need to down Size when I age and have limitations.

Good way to avoid property taxes.

Good way to avoid property taxes.

Alot here are moving into tiny houses. Or sheds. Not much property taxes on them, they are movable and not a set permanent dwelling here.

Crazy housing in Mt .Thousands of 2 nd homes (most vacant 90% ) Lower income folks priced out of rent or buying . I have NEVER seen it like this ! They are living like this (the OP post ) because lots have no choice . I know many like this .