Does anyone travel across the U.S.A. in july without campground reservations? - Page 2

BigBaron · 04-14-2013, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonk Mom

Why is it different?

I'm finding it difficult to find "trailer parks" in LA and surrounding areas. I will be moving home and want to live in a trailer park for about six months and there are only two listed, but I have found a few by chance and then find another by chance. It's been really hard. Plus, the monthly fees are outrageous. I don't want a vacation spot; I want a place where people park their trailers or motorhomes and live.

Why aren't there any trailer parks?
Real estate prices and the difficulty of doing business (taxes, insurance, etc.) in California.
It's why we left-and that was in 2003. I can only imagine what it's like now...

Tonk Mom · 04-14-2013, 05:55 PM

What do you mean, difficulty of doing business?

BigBaron · 04-14-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonk Mom

What do you mean, difficulty of doing business?

Let's see...
Environmental regulations,
workers compensation, liability insurance costs
taxes - payroll, income, ...
lawsuits
cost of living

I could tell you more, but I left in 2003. I'm sure it's much worse now.
Our liability insurance for our company went from $100K+ to well over $300K in less than eight years, and that was in 2001.
Workers compensation insurance was another.

The only "trailer park" I know of is in Malibu, on the PCH. That was built when I was in high school, and is usually full. It's very expensive, too. I didn't think it would survive way back when, but I guess I was wrong...

Tonk Mom · 04-14-2013, 07:34 PM

I found one in Long Beach and two in the Valley near where I used to live. The Valley ones are about $750 and they only take RV's 10 years old or less. The one in Long Beach is about $600 and will take me. I found one in Redondo Beach that is reasonable too, but they won't return my phone calls.

BigBaron · 04-14-2013, 08:06 PM

Where in Long Beach? Some areas are pretty rough...
I went to CSULB...

Tonk Mom · 04-14-2013, 08:09 PM

I don't know Long Beach area at all. I lived in West LA and then in Tarzana.

Here is the link. The manager sounded very nice.

Arbor: Contact

BigBaron · 04-15-2013, 02:00 AM

Hmmm...
How do I put this...
I personally wouldn't walk around that area at night.
It's a mobile home park. Check out Google maps and add the satellite layer.
Anytime you see chain-link fence in So. Cal. it's not a good neighborhood. Think gangs...

**Terier** · 04-15-2013, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBaron

Hmmm...
How do I put this...
I personally wouldn't walk around that area at night.
It's a mobile home park. Check out Google maps and add the satellite layer.
Anytime you see chain-link fence in So. Cal. it's not a good neighborhood. Think gangs...

I do agree that some areas of SoCal are rougher than others. However the above statement in bold font might be too general. But then I live in SoCal with a chain-link fence in the front lawn and am not aware of any gang activity in the neigbhorhood.

With that said it is wise to check out the neighborhood that you will be spending time in. I have felt uncomfortable driving around some parts of Long Beach late at night while being at ease in other areas.

Tonk Mom · 04-15-2013, 07:17 AM

Do you have any suggestions?

Tonk Mom · 04-15-2013, 07:18 AM

How did you come to move to South Korea from LA?

BigBaron · 04-15-2013, 07:31 AM

I grew up in So. Cal. (Malibu) I went to Cal State Long Beach, and watched an entire shopping mall and all the car dealerships pack up shop and get the hell out of Long Beach because of gang activity.
I've been shot at, car jacked before the term was even popular, had my life threatened while standing in line at a grocery store just because I am white, had an entire episode of Cops filmed from our construction equipment (without my knowledge or consent)... Need I go on?
My in-laws decided to move back to Korea after 20+ years.
It hit the fan (got stiffed for $500K) in our commercial construction business, and we figured there were easier ways to lose money/be ripped off!
So we decided to bite the bullet and move to Korea so the kids would be closer to the grandparents.
Ten years later, our English school is going strong, our kids are big, and I can walk around at midnight with $10K in my pocket without thinking twice about it.
I miss my guns terribly. I don't miss having to carry them in my car, though.

Tonk Mom · 04-15-2013, 07:35 AM

We often think of leaving the Country too. It has changed so much in all areas, I think, not just Long Beach. I'm in Florida now and we hate it here. Since I know LA and loved it there, I want to go back home. If I knew of a better place that I knew I would love, I would go to that place, but I don't have a crystal ball unfortunately. South Korea has a big tourist industry now I'm told.

BigBaron · 04-15-2013, 09:35 AM

If you aren't familiar with Korea, you'd die here. LOL

Tonk Mom · 04-15-2013, 09:50 AM

Why is that? I'm definitely not planning on moving there, just commenting on what I have heard.

bspickler · 04-15-2013, 10:17 AM

Shiney asked BLM? That is Bureau of Land Management. These are areas of government land thaat provide some camping facilities. They mostly are parking spots with a fireplace grate and a place for a tent. There is usually a common water pump and rest rooms, usually not with running water. It's been a while since I camped BLM so I'm sure someone can be more specific.

Bill

f5moab · 04-15-2013, 03:15 PM

BLM is a lot more than just campgrounds. But Bill is right, the majority of those campgrounds are places to park a camper, trailer, etc., have a fire ring, a vault toilet and a few in this area have running water. Not elaborate as the Park Service, but tend to have hundreds more in an area.

shineysideup · 04-16-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bspickler

Shiney asked BLM? That is Bureau of Land Management. These are areas of government land thaat provide some camping facilities. They mostly are parking spots with a fireplace grate and a place for a tent. There is usually a common water pump and rest rooms, usually not with running water. It's been a while since I camped BLM so I'm sure someone can be more specific.

Bill

Oh, is that what we were talking about?

I thought it was trailer parks to live in! (Hijack...)

Thanks for the info Bill, it will be great to have in the back pocket...

shineysideup · 04-16-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezolen

Lots depends on the size of trailer you have. With a tent trailer you open up way more available sites. The larger the trailer the less sites available to accomodate it. Weekends at most provincial and state parks will definitely be filled to capacity. Weekdays should not be a problem.
Private parks usually have more available sites
Serviced sites normally get taken first.
Enjoy the trip, I hear it's worth the drive.

We have a 26' trailer (tip to tip) with a 4' slide out the back. We can use it with the slide in if we have to.

. We are getting more excited all the time, now if we could just get some warm weather!

bodzcampers · 04-16-2013, 11:55 AM

Sounds like availability will vary state to state.
If I were you, I would make my itinerary, book, and be less worried. But I'm a planner type. There's always Walmarts, Cracker Barrell, rest stops, casinos, etc. that welcome campers if you find yourself in a pinch.

shineysideup · 04-16-2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ependydad

I'm jealous of those who can do this- but it would stress wife and I out to no end.

LOL! I'm a little nervous but not as much as "the boss". Don't tell her that!

It's not like we are going to another planet! We have family that live in the States, they put their pants on one leg at a time just like us. I couldn't think of any better country to live next to.

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