Cost of Living

[Honda03842]

We spent a month in the Escapee Park in Wauchula, FL and just received our bill for the metered electricity. We averaged 41 cents a day, 2.5 KWhrs a day.

Our electric bill for our home in NH this month was twice as much. RV living is inexpensive. Actually if we had been using our soalr panels we supplied all the power we used.

For those interested the daily charge at the escapee park is a flat $14 a day, includes the 86 degree pool.

Life is good

[ihsolutions]

In the summer when we camp at State parks, sometimes I lament the credit card charges of $29/nt which really add up when you go from park to park for weeks on end.

On the other hand, when we're traveling I turn off the A/C at my house which is over 3000 sf. So I'm saving a bundle their and a little on gas by turning the WH at home to vacation mode.

We tend to eat out LESS while camping, so I'd say all together the cost of camping for us in minimal. It helps to have a way to rationalize it!!!

[Honda03842]

For us, since we're typically moving from place to place for 7 months, $29 a night would push our budget over the top. Our total monthly budget is about $3000. As a line item our camping fee line item calls for us to average $20 a night.

When we're in the west we often stay at Escapee parks that are usually under $15 with full services. Dry camping at Escapee parks is $2-5 a night.

Next year we plan to do more boondocking now that we have solar panels and probaly take advantage of Days End, low cost camping places every where.

Days End is a group of people who list free or very low cost places to camp all across the country. It costs $5 to join. Our Microsoft Streets and Trips has been loaded with overlays that show all the available sites Days End sites, Passport parks, Walmoarts, COE parks, and all kinds of stuff. This is a handy aide for our travels.

When we're traveling from North to South to get home we have regular National Parks and Passport parks to keep costs down.

I will say traditional campgrounds and many state parks have raised rates a lot recently. I quess looking for income.

In nine years of 7-10 months a year traveling we certainly have seen our costs go. The biggest item on a percentage basis haas been gas followed by camping fees.

[Ron & Alice]

We were amazed that the State Parks are actually more expensive than the private campgrounds. We stayed at Myrtle Beach State Park and loved it, but at $30/nt, it is certainly above our budget. And Crooked River was quite expensive as well. When I look at the fact that we stayed at several campgrounds for $325/MONTH to $400/month, the State Parks actually look really expensive!

We will definitely join Escapees next year for sure...

[henryj]

In Ontario, provincial parks also tend to be more expensive but also preferable unless one is looking for RV type facilities. Ontario has moved its pricing more to a user pay. Even day use is at least $10 per vehicle, but that's included in the camping fee.

We just got back from FL and paid $42 at Topsail SP, but only $20 at Blackwater River SP. FL uses a big sliding scale and the beach front parks like Topsail, which has full hookups including cable, are at the top of the price list. Henderson Beach SP which doesn't have nearly the amenities of Topsail is $30. Blackwater River is not a beach front park, but had just been rebuilt to full hookups, except cable, so that is a good deal anywhere. I believe some other small interior FL parks are even cheaper. Off the beach, we have found FL SP to be some of the best camping anywhere at the price and there is no reservation fee which adds to many other states' parks as well as Ontario's.

Henry