"Homesteading"

Well, I guess I will add a new flavor to this debate. What about location location location? Not only are there some RVers overstaying but what about the actual spot they are overstaying on? Why should I come into a CG for 2 weeks and have to in a spot that has a view of the shower/head or right next to the office while others who seem to have put stakes down have a spot that has a nice sunrise/sunset/water view, tucked away in the trees, or away from the main travel area? Having a nice romantic,peaceful spot is just as important as getting in the CG. Just my nickels worth.

Hello all,
In the next year or so I will become a full-timer. I have been looking in to RV parks with regards to location and their cost-to-perks ratio.
What I have found is that military installations seem to average about $18 a night for long term sites which include electric, water and sewage. The cost may or may not include cable and wifi.
There are two primary reasons for my going full-time.
The first is financial. After I purchase the 5th wheel and tow vehicle (I don't play the payments game), the only real outlay of money is for the site and it equates to a really cheap apartment. That is an apartment without the majority of hassles. I also like the idea of not having to pay property taxes.
The second reason is for security. For those that are either former or retired military you all know that it doesn't take just an ID card, it takes some form of Military ID card. Military installations are very picky as to whom they let on their bases. This equates to a security system that is several notches above most short or long term RV parks.
As far as just how long the long term campers can stay, that depends on the base. One of the bases here locally in northeast Florida, the long termers can stay for 6 months but must stay away for a month before returning. It is simply another benefit for those who serve or have served their country.

As far as the homesteading problem goes. I believe there are two areas to look at here. Number one, Active duty, I have and always believe that Active duty should be allowed to homestead at RV parks on military bases. First, if we remember correctly, for the most part the parks are run by MWR. The policy clearly states that MWR is first and foremost for Active duty and then runs down a proity list to include retirees, DOD, Cilvian employees ETC. I believe these members should be allowed to homsetead as long as needed for them to perform their jobs. I know of alot of Active duty that live in these parks only because of the housing market in which they can not sell a house and the only way to keep the family together is a RV. Second retirees, this is where you find your "GOOD OLE BOYS" Network. I stay down at NAS Key West, and believe me there is network so deeply ingrained there that you could write a book on just the escapades that they stir up. Is homesteading the cause of this no, for the most part everyone at NAS Key West rotates in full season (the winter). Yes there are a few that do not but that is the good ole boys that know how systems work. It is not rank or grade it is if you can complain the most. A simply solution for the problem is just maintain the rules that are in place, no questions ask. I do believe there should be most strict policies for everyone but Active duty, But as I said before leave the Active duty alone. As far rank or grade I have noticed down at Key West alot of RETIRED members still believe they are active "YOU ARE NOT" if you were a Major or General while Active I salute you, but you are retired now, so get over it and enjoy your retirement.

I suppose I am a "Homesteader" in that I spend a majority of my RV time in the same Park. I don't however have a deck, shed or any other permanent sturcture or attachment to my RV. I am frequently gone for a month or so at a time and make it a point to drive my RV at least twice a month to prevent it from "growning roots" as I have heard it called. The only issue is that I have to pay to maintain my spot even if I am not in it. I live in an area that has real winters and the "Homesteaders" are the only ones in the park for four months of the year. THe fact that the prices are so reasonable in the summer is directly the result of the ability to spread the cost of the winter months among the homesteaders. We also provide a certain level of security in that we all keep an eye on the campground and neighbors, wheather they are long term or weekend. We are required to reapply every six months and to move, which is reasonable.

We stopped at Hill Air Force Base Famcamp last month (April) on our way north. We had not been there in over 4 years and there was the same old ratty looking campsite with an old trailer, pickup, and misc junk right across from the camp office. "WHAT AN EYE SORE".

I JUST NEED TO ADD TO THIS TOPIC : HOMESTEADING
JAN 2010,WE SPENT 3 WKS IN DAVIS-MONTHAN.. NICE CAMPGROUND
PRETTY WELL MANAGED,BUT THERE WAS A MOTORHOME PARKED NEXT TO ME,THAT WAS THERE OVER 2 MO. ALREADY..FOUND OUT HE WAS AN EX-
HOST..THATS B.S. THERE WERE OVER 40 RV'S IN OVERFLOW WITH
NO HOOKUPS...
ALSO WANTED TO COMMENT ABOUT HOLLOMAN AFB CAMPGROUND.
YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ,SOME VERY GOOD MANGERS WALK OUT ABOUT
1ST OF DEC 09 AND THEY ARE NOT THE 1ST ONES..WE HAVE BEEN GOING THERE ABOUT 10 YRS..I THINK THEY HAVE SOME REAL
PROLEMS IN THE OUTDOOR REC DEPT. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE
ANY INPUT THERE,BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD ,IF SOMETHING CHANGED.
I THINK WHAT YOUR DOING IS GREAT,KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING /// JERRY L.