This is kind of counter to the purpose of this website and forum, but I'm wondering if there are former manufactured home dwellers out there who can give me some advice.
My beloved wife, Robyn, passed away on July 24th, so our RV dreams are gone too. I live in GA. Robyn always considered Florida home, and wanted to be buried there, so that's what I did. I also prepaid my own arrangements so that I can rest with her when the time comes.
My own health is not that good either. I'm a non-Hodgkins lymphoma survivor (ten years) but the chemotherapy damaged my heart. Shortly before Robyn was severely burned in an accident in 2008, my condition was diagnosed. The cardiologist gave me 10 years before I'd need a heart transplant, but then said that at my age at that time (I'm 63 now) the outcomes weren't very good. So, it's not going to happen, especially if Obamacare passes. But I digress.
I need to retire and move to Florida. Or better yet, move to Florida while I still have a job so that I can have an income for a while without having to pay state income taxes (I'm a telecommuter, so as long as I have an internet connection I can work from anywhere). I won't be able to afford the mortgage payments on our home after I'm on a fixed income, but I could buy a manufactured home outright from the proceeds from selling.
I'm looking for a 55+ community within about a 50 mile radius of Jacksonville, FL, and tips on manufactured homes.... brands, quality, how to buy without getting ripped off etc.
If there's anybody out there who can advise me from experience I would be very grateful. This is a special community that Howard and Linda have drawn together, and I would appreciate hearing from any of you who might have anything to say.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Tim Fansler
AnnDon said
11:36 AM Sep 16, 2009
We had purchased a "Fleetwood" model in 1999. Lived in until this year. It has been a good quality home, just wish we would have gotten what we ordered in writting because it was missing a few things when they delivered it. Other than replacing the hot water heater (propane) and a few door knobs, we haven't had any problems with it. Good luck and bless you! Ann and Don
Tim & Robyn said
03:27 PM Sep 16, 2009
Thanks Ann and Don.
I've only scratched the surface in my research, but Fleetwood seems to be one of the manufacturers, along with Clayton Homes and some others, that keep bubbling up to the top.
I don't have a lot of time to research this to death... I expect that within the next 6 months I'll be laid off (my employer seems hell-bent on reducing US employees as soon as possible), so I'm giving myself that much time to find a place, get relocated, and empty out the house so that it can be readied to go on the market.
In a kind of weird twist, so far the only places I've been able to find (at least on the web) that are satisfactory are in the general area of where Howard and Linda will be this winter. They are further away from Jacksonville than I'd like to be, but within an hour or hour and a half drive.
I may not be able to go on the road with y'all anymore, but I can still downsize and simplify my life. And that's what I intend to do.
GBY
two travelers said
04:32 PM Sep 16, 2009
My Mom lives in a manufactured home in Leesburg Fla.. It is a small park and the home are 15 or so years old.. She is thinking of selling hers to move make to MD since a number of her friends have also left to moved back to MD...She says there are about 10 homes for sale in her park.. I am sure you would have no problem finding a home.. patti
Racerguy said
06:49 PM Sep 16, 2009
Tim, Here in my home town there is a whole subdivision of Clayton Homes set in a normal neighborhood setting.Before I retired from the the Gas Company I had the occasion to do service work in many of these homes.They seem to be well built and reasonably priced. Good luck to you. Hope you find what you need in a timely fashion.
tumwatergal said
09:46 PM Sep 16, 2009
I am so sorry for your loss. You have my prayers going out to you.
We just sold a mfg. home in 2008 that we had lived in for 8 years. We only sold it because we wanted to fulltime. We had a Fleetwood home and we were very satisified with it. We got one that had tape & texture walls so inside it looked like a "normal" sticks 'n bricks home. It was in a 55+ park of the type you are looking for. We had a nice lifestyle there with great neighbors. There were a lot of planned activities so we had a chance to have a nice social life, too. You will enjoy that lifestyle since you are now without your dear wife.
Good luck to you! Margie M.
AnnDon said
11:07 AM Sep 17, 2009
Just because you won't be on the road, doen't mean you have to stop communicating with us. I am sure there are others, besides us, who will be more than happy to continue our fond friendship. We are signing off shortly but will keep in touch as we can via wi-fi, but we will have to travel about 22 miles to get the service, so it will be far and few between. But we will keep checking in when we can. We are in the transitition stage. We are currently living in our MH in our driveway. We are waiting for the house to sell and our SSD, which could take anywhere from November till Spring (the house maybe longer). All I know it was 37 degrees here this morning and I wish we had the funds to head to warmer weather (FL). But with God willing things will eventually fall into place. Good Luck with all that you do. Ann and Don
nwlambear said
12:17 PM Sep 17, 2009
I too wish you well Tim and I'm so sorry to hear of yor loss! We just never know do we? That's why we have to cherish every moment. Hope you find in Florida what you need at this time in your life....The folks here on RV Dreams will stand by you and give you support...you can be sure of that! Take care and God Bless....*Tricia*
jagco said
07:30 PM Sep 17, 2009
I am new here and also sorry to hear of your loss. We bought a new Redman double-wide in 1995. It was actually a demo model off the lot, so we saved a bundle. I would say it's like buying anything else of any size. Know, within reason, what you want to spend and stand your ground. If you go new, really look things over after they install it. Interior doors stay after you open them, cabinet doors all work like they should, lights work properly (we had a bathroom light that required the hall light to be on in order to work. They just had the wire on the wrong side of the hall switch), just try everything.
I wish you the best.
wmalefyt said
11:19 AM Sep 18, 2009
If you're looking for a park model manufactured home as opposed to a larger double-wide manufactured home I can recommend Woodland Park: http://www.woodland-park.com/
We owned one we bought new in 1995 as a vacation home/retirement home in Door County, WI. However, after retiring we decided to move to Florida and sold the park model.
We were very satisfied with Woodland Park as the home was well built and we had no problems in the 5 years we owned it. We, like many people, added a stick built addition to our park model which almost doubled the size. However, things like that depend on the rules of the park where you are located. Make sure you know all the rules of the park you plan to live in before buying anything!
Good luck.
-- Edited by wmalefyt on Friday 18th of September 2009 11:20:00 AM
-- Edited by wmalefyt on Friday 18th of September 2009 11:20:42 AM
My beloved wife, Robyn, passed away on July 24th, so our RV dreams are gone too. I live in GA. Robyn always considered Florida home, and wanted to be buried there, so that's what I did. I also prepaid my own arrangements so that I can rest with her when the time comes.
My own health is not that good either. I'm a non-Hodgkins lymphoma survivor (ten years) but the chemotherapy damaged my heart. Shortly before Robyn was severely burned in an accident in 2008, my condition was diagnosed. The cardiologist gave me 10 years before I'd need a heart transplant, but then said that at my age at that time (I'm 63 now) the outcomes weren't very good. So, it's not going to happen, especially if Obamacare passes. But I digress.
I need to retire and move to Florida. Or better yet, move to Florida while I still have a job so that I can have an income for a while without having to pay state income taxes (I'm a telecommuter, so as long as I have an internet connection I can work from anywhere). I won't be able to afford the mortgage payments on our home after I'm on a fixed income, but I could buy a manufactured home outright from the proceeds from selling.
I'm looking for a 55+ community within about a 50 mile radius of Jacksonville, FL, and tips on manufactured homes.... brands, quality, how to buy without getting ripped off etc.
If there's anybody out there who can advise me from experience I would be very grateful. This is a special community that Howard and Linda have drawn together, and I would appreciate hearing from any of you who might have anything to say.
Thanks, and God Bless,
Tim Fansler
I've only scratched the surface in my research, but Fleetwood seems to be one of the manufacturers, along with Clayton Homes and some others, that keep bubbling up to the top.
I don't have a lot of time to research this to death... I expect that within the next 6 months I'll be laid off (my employer seems hell-bent on reducing US employees as soon as possible), so I'm giving myself that much time to find a place, get relocated, and empty out the house so that it can be readied to go on the market.
In a kind of weird twist, so far the only places I've been able to find (at least on the web) that are satisfactory are in the general area of where Howard and Linda will be this winter. They are further away from Jacksonville than I'd like to be, but within an hour or hour and a half drive.
I may not be able to go on the road with y'all anymore, but I can still downsize and simplify my life. And that's what I intend to do.
GBY
We just sold a mfg. home in 2008 that we had lived in for 8 years. We only sold it because we wanted to fulltime. We had a Fleetwood home and we were very satisified with it. We got one that had tape & texture walls so inside it looked like a "normal" sticks 'n bricks home. It was in a 55+ park of the type you are looking for. We had a nice lifestyle there with great neighbors. There were a lot of planned activities so we had a chance to have a nice social life, too. You will enjoy that lifestyle since you are now without your dear wife.
Good luck to you!
Margie M.
We owned one we bought new in 1995 as a vacation home/retirement home in Door County, WI. However, after retiring we decided to move to Florida and sold the park model.
We were very satisfied with Woodland Park as the home was well built and we had no problems in the 5 years we owned it. We, like many people, added a stick built addition to our park model which almost doubled the size. However, things like that depend on the rules of the park where you are located. Make sure you know all the rules of the park you plan to live in before buying anything!
Good luck.
-- Edited by wmalefyt on Friday 18th of September 2009 11:20:00 AM
-- Edited by wmalefyt on Friday 18th of September 2009 11:20:42 AM