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A WOMAN has shared an insight into her life with a family of five, living in a caravan.
Mum of three Claudia revealed that her family decided to ditch their home to live in a caravan after being unable to cope with skyrocketing rent prices.
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She and her partner realised that they would have to work extremely long hours, and would never be able to see their children if they were to live in a house in their native Dublin, so opted for an extreme downsize.
“We now have less space but we have more time together”, she said in a video posted to her YouTube channel BamblesBooks.
“And we’ve put more value on that.”
When they first moved into the mobile home, they only had one child, but in the past five years their family has grown, with two more kids being born.
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They even have a dog called Monty, who completes the family.
Claudia revealed that the caravan gets extremely cramped, and can be especially stressful to live in in the winter, when the family has to spend more time squashed together inside.
However she said that she thinks that she would still feel cramped if she lived in a house, as she believes that it’s your mindset rather than your surroundings that affect how you feel.
She added that it does get very cold in the winter, as the family just has little electric heaters to keep themselves warm.
“I would love to get a wood burner to heat up the place”, she said.
And in the summer, they have the opposite problem, as the caravan’s large windows mean that the place heats up like a greenhouse.
The caravan is also pretty hard to keep clean as there is limited space and her seven, four and two year olds are constantly running around.
“It’s totally worth it for the freedom we have”, she said.
When Claudia first bought the caravan, it came with ugly built in furniture, but she and her partner decided to rip it all up and make it their own, using Ikea buys.
They also ripped up the carpets, and installed their own wood flooring.
The caravan has a gorgeous view of the sea, and they even have a small garden outside, where they keep their own pet chickens.
How much does it cost to live in a caravan?
LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:
Initial Costs
- Caravan Purchase: £8,000 – £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition)
- Caravan Insurance: £200 – £800 per year
Ongoing Monthly Costs
- Pitch Fees: £150 – £600 (varies by location and facilities)
- Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 – £120
- Maintenance and Repairs: £20 – £80
- Internet and TV: £20 – £50
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 – £40
Other Potential Costs
- Waste Disposal Fees: £8 – £25
- Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance
- Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 – £1,600 (one-time)
Sample Monthly Budget
- Pitch Fees: £400
- Utilities: £80
- Maintenance and Repairs: £40
- Internet and TV: £40
- Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25
- Total: £585
Annual Estimated Cost
- Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020
- Insurance: £500
- Maintenance and Repairs: £480
- Total Annual Cost: £8,000
Tips to Save
- Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons.
- DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself.
- Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs.
While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK.
The family have been renovating the home constantly since they move in, and plan to install bunk beds soon, so that their youngest child can move out of their bed.
“Everything we need to do we can do in this small space”, she said.
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