Mobile Homes

Innotech · #21 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:13 am

if people want cheap living, come to Louisiana, where the hurricanes dont home in almost every year like missiles. its cheap and affordable, and friendly down here. Whats so hot about living in florida anyway? Beach, beach, beach and what else?

#22 Postby **Cookiely** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:30 am

Innotech wrote:the problem is, people will literally throw caution and safety to the wind in order to live in Florida. Sure, its cheap and affordable to live in manufactured mobile housing, and it allows people to live in very exspensive real estate. HOWEVER< livingi n Florida is a privelege, not a right, and if you cant AFFORD IT, then dont live there!
I cant afford to live in Key West for example, so I have to do without that luxury lifestyle just like anyone else. I wont put myself at risk trying to get there cheaply and risk my home being obliterated in strong storms.
Its just not worth it. Thisis also why I honestly do not feel very sympathetic for people living in disaster prone areas when the unthinkable does happen. Its a case of "see I told you so"

I'm a fifth generation Floridian and have been raised for the most part in mobile homes. We live in them because its what we can afford. As for the poster who thinks condos are a great idea-FORGET IT. We have lived in apartments, and townhouses and frankly I would rather die than live in one again. Some people are not geared to living in such close proximity to other people. I don't like the lifestyle. I love having a little property. I like yard work and growing things. As a child we moved from a CB home to a mobile home because it had more room and we had property and bought a couple of horses. I didn't ride but I enjoyed taking care of my brother and sisters horses. I just wanted to share my opinion and thoughts concerning mobile homes and why people live in them.

Innotech · #23 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:46 am

Cookiely wrote:
Innotech wrote:the problem is, people will literally throw caution and safety to the wind in order to live in Florida. Sure, its cheap and affordable to live in manufactured mobile housing, and it allows people to live in very exspensive real estate. HOWEVER< livingi n Florida is a privelege, not a right, and if you cant AFFORD IT, then dont live there!
I cant afford to live in Key West for example, so I have to do without that luxury lifestyle just like anyone else. I wont put myself at risk trying to get there cheaply and risk my home being obliterated in strong storms.
Its just not worth it. Thisis also why I honestly do not feel very sympathetic for people living in disaster prone areas when the unthinkable does happen. Its a case of "see I told you so"

I'm a fifth generation Floridian and have been raised for the most part in mobile homes. We live in them because its what we can afford. As for the poster who thinks condos are a great idea-FORGET IT. We have lived in apartments, and townhouses and frankly I would rather die than live in one again. Some people are not geared to living in such close proximity to other people. I don't like the lifestyle. I love having a little property. I like yard work and growing things. As a child we moved from a CB home to a mobile home because it had more room and we had property and bought a couple of horses. I didn't ride but I enjoyed taking care of my brother and sisters horses. I just wanted to share my opinion and thoughts concerning mobile homes and why people live in them.

thats understandable, but if you insist on moving into a mobile home, why notl ive osmewhere that isnt so prone to Hurricanes? There are plenty of cheap places tol ive AWAY from Florida, with much more space and some sturdy frame houses here are in good neighborhoods AND cheap as a manufactured home. the thing is, people want tol ive IN FLORIDa, which is hte problem. People want those beaches but they dont want hte Canes. Well you cant have everything.
People these days want everything. they want cheap goods and services, but demand higher quality, they want to live in luxurious places but demand safety and cheaper housing. they live in the middle of some of the most active hurricane prone areas on the atlantic and yet they demand to be able to live there, and are among hte first to complain when a strong one obliterates entire clusters of homes, claiming "they never saw it coming"
Perhaps this is being a bit stereotypical, but for the good of ALL FLorida, tighter reigns need to be put on mobile an manufactured housing. NO mobile home, of any construction, will provide hte safety of a solid foundation home. They may be able to withstand high winds, but the are mobile and that means they can be moved under force a lot easier than a concrete and mortar home.

huricanwatcher · #24 Postby **huricanwatcher** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 8:54 am

a quote from another thread explains it all

"Just saw a pod of dolphins come up off our dock. Couple of babies in it. They don't seem to be bothered by any of this."

dont know if this person is in a mfg home or not, but this sums it up for alot that do.. Its a way of living like no other in FL. Walk out your back door and be on the water.

Try doing that living in an apt complex or quad of condos...

CFL · #25 Postby **CFL** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:02 am

We lived in a mobile home a few years ago. Now we are living in a brick home and I do feel much safer when a storm approaches. I do have to say this though: I would feel safer in a mobile home in Florida where we do get good advanced warning when a tropical system is approaching than to live in a mobile home in most any other state that is prone to having large tornadoes. Your advance warning time for a tornado is what - 15 minutes max?

Innotech · #26 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:04 am

huricanwatcher wrote:a quote from another thread explains it all

"Just saw a pod of dolphins come up off our dock. Couple of babies in it. They don't seem to be bothered by any of this."

dont know if this person is in a mfg home or not, but this sums it up for alot that do.. Its a way of living like no other in FL. Walk out your back door and be on the water.

Try doing that living in an apt complex or quad of condos...

one day when your home isnt there any longer, you wont think the view is so worth it anymore. thats all Im saying.

Innotech · #27 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:05 am

CFL wrote:We lived in a mobile home a few years ago. Now we are living in a brick home and I do feel much safer when a storm approaches. I do have to say this though: I would feel safer in a mobile home in Florida where we do get good advanced warning when a tropical system is approaching than to live in a mobile home in most any other state that is prone to having large tornadoes. Your advance warning time for a tornado is what - 15 minutes max?

I dont advocatel iving anywhere prone to high winds in a mobile home. I wont even stay in a mobile home during a thunderstorm.

huricanwatcher · #28 Postby **huricanwatcher** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:07 am

Innotech wrote:
huricanwatcher wrote:a quote from another thread explains it all

"Just saw a pod of dolphins come up off our dock. Couple of babies in it. They don't seem to be bothered by any of this."

dont know if this person is in a mfg home or not, but this sums it up for alot that do.. Its a way of living like no other in FL. Walk out your back door and be on the water.

Try doing that living in an apt complex or quad of condos...

one day when your home isnt there any longer, you wont think the view is so worth it anymore. thats all Im saying.

There is another way to look at this.. MH's = new home everytime a bad storm rolls through, as long as you got insurance, its like trading up for a new model :lol:

Innotech · #29 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:13 am

huricanwatcher wrote:
Innotech wrote:
huricanwatcher wrote:a quote from another thread explains it all

"Just saw a pod of dolphins come up off our dock. Couple of babies in it. They don't seem to be bothered by any of this."

dont know if this person is in a mfg home or not, but this sums it up for alot that do.. Its a way of living like no other in FL. Walk out your back door and be on the water.

Try doing that living in an apt complex or quad of condos...

one day when your home isnt there any longer, you wont think the view is so worth it anymore. thats all Im saying.

There is another way to look at this.. MH's = new home everytime a bad storm rolls through, as long as you got insurance, its like trading up for a new model

I suppose. but its too much of a pain in the ass to replace everything.

Patrick99 · #30 Postby **Patrick99** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:14 am

Innotech wrote:if people want cheap living, come to Louisiana, where the hurricanes dont home in almost every year like missiles. its cheap and affordable, and friendly down here. Whats so hot about living in florida anyway? Beach, beach, beach and what else?

Basically, it's warm, and the air is clean (except the Orlando area on occasion).

The beach - strangely enough, I only enjoy the beach when it's stormy. On the typical hot and sunny day, to me, Miami Beach is like the fifth circle of hell.

This is just my opinion - I think that if you come down to Florida to live from wherever, you'd better do so with the full knowledge that this is a hurricane prone area. I have no tolerance for people who whine about hurricanes. If you can't deal with them, perhaps you shouldn't live here, or any other hurricane prone area for that matter. The past several decades, Florida has almost been given a free pass as far as hurricanes - they would hook away in the Bahamas, dissipate, brush us as weak TS's, remain to the south, etc. It's ridiculous to think that is the norm. Canes are as much a part of Florida as alligators and Key Lime pie. I say deal with it, or leave. I keep hoping that hurricanes will drive the masses away and help make this place a bit more livable, but it never seems to happen. People have short memories.

#31 Postby **Cookiely** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:14 am

Innotech wrote:
Cookiely wrote:
Innotech wrote:the problem is, people will literally throw caution and safety to the wind in order to live in Florida. Sure, its cheap and affordable to live in manufactured mobile housing, and it allows people to live in very exspensive real estate. HOWEVER< livingi n Florida is a privelege, not a right, and if you cant AFFORD IT, then dont live there!
I cant afford to live in Key West for example, so I have to do without that luxury lifestyle just like anyone else. I wont put myself at risk trying to get there cheaply and risk my home being obliterated in strong storms.
Its just not worth it. Thisis also why I honestly do not feel very sympathetic for people living in disaster prone areas when the unthinkable does happen. Its a case of "see I told you so"

I'm a fifth generation Floridian and have been raised for the most part in mobile homes. We live in them because its what we can afford. As for the poster who thinks condos are a great idea-FORGET IT. We have lived in apartments, and townhouses and frankly I would rather die than live in one again. Some people are not geared to living in such close proximity to other people. I don't like the lifestyle. I love having a little property. I like yard work and growing things. As a child we moved from a CB home to a mobile home because it had more room and we had property and bought a couple of horses. I didn't ride but I enjoyed taking care of my brother and sisters horses. I just wanted to share my opinion and thoughts concerning mobile homes and why people live in them.

thats understandable, but if you insist on moving into a mobile home, why notl ive osmewhere that isnt so prone to Hurricanes? There are plenty of cheap places tol ive AWAY from Florida, with much more space and some sturdy frame houses here are in good neighborhoods AND cheap as a manufactured home. the thing is, people want tol ive IN FLORIDa, which is hte problem. People want those beaches but they dont want hte Canes. Well you cant have everything.
People these days want everything. they want cheap goods and services, but demand higher quality, they want to live in luxurious places but demand safety and cheaper housing. they live in the middle of some of the most active hurricane prone areas on the atlantic and yet they demand to be able to live there, and are among hte first to complain when a strong one obliterates entire clusters of homes, claiming "they never saw it coming"
Perhaps this is being a bit stereotypical, but for the good of ALL FLorida, tighter reigns need to be put on mobile an manufactured housing. NO mobile home, of any construction, will provide hte safety of a solid foundation home. They may be able to withstand high winds, but the are mobile and that means they can be moved under force a lot easier than a concrete and mortar home.

You suggest I move from Florida where our whole family is? our heritage?
My papa is buried here, my grandparents, my great grandparents, my gggrandparents. I don't think Its unthinkable.

#32 Postby **Robert** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:15 am

I priced two homes in the past 3 years. A new pre-manufactured home in Michigan... 4 bedroom, 3 bathrooms, doublewide, and 2,000+ square feet. Any modifications we wanted could be done (moved some walls, put in a door, added several upgrades). Total cost was around $80,000 and could be delivered in 4-6 weeks.
A stick built home in North Carolia, under 2,000 square feet, 3 bedroom, two bath. A few upgrades (such as hurricane reinforcements), but not much, and a fair amount of work done by the owner, total cost $130,000 and almost 6 months to build. Both of these do not include the cost of the land.
If I were retired and expected to live someplace for 10 years (or so), I would seriously consider spending $50,000 less and getting a bigger house much quicker. Plus things that others have suggested such as owning a home (you can do what you want without the owners approval), having a little piece of grass to mow, and not living in the same building as someone else.
A moble home would not be my first choice for housing (in Florida or anywhere else), but the cost and speed at which you can get them do make them hard to resist.

Innotech · #33 Postby **Innotech** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:19 am

Cookiely wrote:
Innotech wrote:
Cookiely wrote:
Innotech wrote:the problem is, people will literally throw caution and safety to the wind in order to live in Florida. Sure, its cheap and affordable to live in manufactured mobile housing, and it allows people to live in very exspensive real estate. HOWEVER< livingi n Florida is a privelege, not a right, and if you cant AFFORD IT, then dont live there!
I cant afford to live in Key West for example, so I have to do without that luxury lifestyle just like anyone else. I wont put myself at risk trying to get there cheaply and risk my home being obliterated in strong storms.
Its just not worth it. Thisis also why I honestly do not feel very sympathetic for people living in disaster prone areas when the unthinkable does happen. Its a case of "see I told you so"

I'm a fifth generation Floridian and have been raised for the most part in mobile homes. We live in them because its what we can afford. As for the poster who thinks condos are a great idea-FORGET IT. We have lived in apartments, and townhouses and frankly I would rather die than live in one again. Some people are not geared to living in such close proximity to other people. I don't like the lifestyle. I love having a little property. I like yard work and growing things. As a child we moved from a CB home to a mobile home because it had more room and we had property and bought a couple of horses. I didn't ride but I enjoyed taking care of my brother and sisters horses. I just wanted to share my opinion and thoughts concerning mobile homes and why people live in them.

thats understandable, but if you insist on moving into a mobile home, why notl ive osmewhere that isnt so prone to Hurricanes? There are plenty of cheap places tol ive AWAY from Florida, with much more space and some sturdy frame houses here are in good neighborhoods AND cheap as a manufactured home. the thing is, people want tol ive IN FLORIDa, which is hte problem. People want those beaches but they dont want hte Canes. Well you cant have everything.
People these days want everything. they want cheap goods and services, but demand higher quality, they want to live in luxurious places but demand safety and cheaper housing. they live in the middle of some of the most active hurricane prone areas on the atlantic and yet they demand to be able to live there, and are among hte first to complain when a strong one obliterates entire clusters of homes, claiming "they never saw it coming"
Perhaps this is being a bit stereotypical, but for the good of ALL FLorida, tighter reigns need to be put on mobile an manufactured housing. NO mobile home, of any construction, will provide hte safety of a solid foundation home. They may be able to withstand high winds, but the are mobile and that means they can be moved under force a lot easier than a concrete and mortar home.

You suggest I move from Florida where our whole family is? our heritage?
My papa is buried here, my grandparents, my great grandparents, my gggrandparents. I don't think Its unthinkable.

I suggest it, but Im sure no one will heed my suggesstion. Andrew and charley arent once in al ifetime events in FLorida. they will happen again.

Eyes2theSkies · #34 Postby **Eyes2theSkies** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:12 am

I lived in a mobile home is Massachusetts. My mother and I rode it to the ground when a downburst knocked us sideways. I've lived in "townhomes" neighbors stomping up and down the stairs all hours of the night, performing sex acts in a car with after-market exhaust kit, right under my balcony, held at gunpoint in my walkway. Now I sink thousands of dollars per month to rent a house in the 'burbs. Everything has its downside, no matter what. I think that manufactured/mobile homes should have stricter codes than they currently do. Also, these management companies that oversee retirement parks make money hand over fist. They buy land and then charge rent for a tiny piece of the land. Think of how many mobiles fit on a few acres?!? Most of these types of parks have "clubhouses". Depending on the proximity of the park to the ocean, I think the law should require those clubhouses to be hurricane-proof to Cat 3 and large enough to accomodate all residents. This would free up shelter space AND keep the roads clearer for evacuees. If the park is right on the water, maybe management should be required to maintain an off-site shelter and shuttle bus service to&from. Residents would be safer and the roads would be safer. It took 11 hours to go 130 miles north on the Florida Turnpike this Thursday, I know this because that's how long it took my poor mother-in-law to get here, she was stuck with her mobile-home living parents complaining in the back seat of the car...

Persepone · #35 Postby **Persepone** » Mon Sep 06, 2004 10:36 am

There are mobile homes in Westport, CT--one of the most expensive communities in Connecticut! Lots of other mobile homes in CT, MA, etc. Also, "manufactured" homes are not all "mobile" and even more of those!

I'm sure that the comment about the media focusing on the older homes is correct. Also, shoddy building of non-mobile homes leaves you just as/more vulnerable--perhaps more so because you think you are safer...

The comment about the developers buying up the mobile home parks and evicting the tenants in order to put up McMansions as second/third homes for wealthy people is happening in New England as well. That makes everything unaffordable for "normal people" because it drives ALL property up so that many people can't afford to live in the towns that they grew up in unless they stay with parents, etc. And even then, the taxes drive people out of family homes.

I've a suspicion that the two problems are somehow tied together--they try to drive people out of mobile homes/parks and then the rising property costs/taxes as a result of the McMansions drive all with modest incomes and homes (regardless of mobile or regular construction) out of town.

This will get solved only when the McMansion owners find that they can't get fire and police protection, schoolteachers, tradespeople to work on their houses, etc. because they have driven all these people out of their towns with this foolish behavior.

Besides, McMansions are the ones with the huge insurance claims! Normal people take steps to protect their property, etc. The rich up here don't bother to protect their property, etc. because they figure insurance will reimburse them for damage to their McMansions. And their precious family photos, etc. are not in their waterfront homes. I guess Florida requires them to put on hurricane shutters, etc. (they don't here). But I'll bet the order of magnitude of the insurance claims is significantly different for a mobile home and a second home McMansion...

Don't try to replace "mobile homes" with condos or apartments--very different living experience. People from mobile homes do NOT want to live in condos or apartments. Don't destroy people's "homeownership" and sense of "own home."

I was interested in the comments earlier about the new "mobile homes" meeting more stringent requirements and holding up well. If this is true, then trick is a replacement program--not getting rid of the type of housing.

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