Mobile and Manufactured homes are no longer considered uncool.. quite the opposite. They’ve captured the attention of many and are becoming extremely popular. Not only for seasonal living but year round too.
The difference between a mobile home and a park model home is determined only by the year it was made. Mobile homes, which are easily movable living spaces on wheels, were built before 1976 with not a lot of thought given to building codes.
After 1976 the ‘HUD Code’ (a national standard building code) regulated the production safety and quality of these homes re-naming them as Manufactured Homes. Manufactured homes typically take up two forms: 1) park model homes that are single wide, self-sufficient and movable, and 2) manufactured homes that are modular (put together in multiple pieces) and often wider.
One good thing to know about the HUD code is it divides the country into three different thermal zones and builds the home to code based on the weather conditions in that zone, such as wind zone, roof load zone for colder snowy parts of the country and thermal zones or otherwise moderate temperate zones. So if your manufactured home was built after 1976, you may feel more at ease should an Arizona storm present itself.
Picture by Manufactured Housing Institute
DO I WANT TO SNOWBIRD IN A MANUFACTURED HOME RESORT PARK?
Gone are the days when living in a mobile or manufactured home park is seen as poor living. These vibrant homes can truly make one feel very rich in both spirit and in the pocket book. With the Tiny Home movement and Snowbirds making their way south earlier in age than ever before, whether it be part-time or full-time, these 55+ RV Resort Parks are still as popular as ever and continue to grow. Our park has yet another new subdivision scheduled for completion in 2020. The demand for manufactured homes is a way of the future and it’s not just for Snowbirds but many local Arizonians are enjoying them too.
Wondering what the cost of these wonderful homes are? Check out our page on Buying a Park Model in Arizona and Will It Break the Bank?’
SIZES, SHAPES AND ROOMS
Park Model Homes
The typical size of a Park Model home is 10-14’ wide and 32-40’ long giving you just under 500 sq feet of living space, which is what you will find in 80 percent of all 55+ RV Parks. Unless the park has newer subdivisions you won’t find many of the new manufactured homes (modular construction) as the older area lots are structured for smaller sized units. But you will find beautifully renovated mobile homes.
The older style mobile homes generally display a basic floor plan with long narrow hallways. Kitchen and living room area are at the front with one or two bedrooms and a bathroom down the narrow hallway.
Although these mobile homes have limited space inside the unit, don’t let this deter you. Most of the lots have enough room to allow for an added Arizona Room, shop structure or laundry and second bedroom addition. If you’re fortunate enough to find, some have double-wide units that are two 8’units put together, creating even more space.
All mobile homes have a back door. Some are directly off the master bedroom and some are off the hallway which is most ideal as this is where the Arizona room gets attached and if the back door is off the master bedroom, then you may have to walk through the bedroom from the kitchen to get into the Arizona room leaving not a lot of privacy. Although it’s not all bad, ours is designed this way but there are two sliding doors on either end of the bedroom to close it off if we need to, and it also opens up the bedroom and makes it feel bigger with our King size bed.
Arizona Room – Commonly used for a family room/living room and extra guest bed, gives you an additional 200-300 square feet of living space. The extra guest bed can be in the form of a hide-a-bed or many have Murphy beds they can close up against the wall out of the way when not in use.
Kitchen – Surprisingly so, these mobile homes have ample storage space for their size. With the standard layout, the kitchen area has loads of cupboards top and bottom, often the cupboards are in a U-shape that helps to divide the living room. Although many have remodeled their units taking down the old style cupboards on top that you had to duck down and look through to see those sitting in the living area. A more open concept with the cupboards out of the way is becoming the norm should you decide to renovate.
There are other ways you can design the kitchen living area space if you have an Arizona room and that is converting your living room into a dining room. See my page on How to Update a Park Model – Surprisingly Simple Wow Factors!
TIP: Using light colors helps to make a small space feel bigger
Bedrooms – are fairly standard layout and sizes in mobile homes. Most of these 55+ parks have only one bedroom and one bathroom. The bedrooms almost always have the built-in cupboards/night stand and desk area with drawers for clothes and fairly large closet space. Investing in a bed with a hydraulic lift can give you even more storage underneath for extra bedding and personal items.
Bathrooms – can vary in size. Some can be on the small side and it’s hard to close the door, although some, are very spacious and are considered a walk-through. With pocket doors at either end, you can enter from the hallway and exit into the Master bedroom giving you lots of room to move around. This style tends to have a large linen closet and shelving as well.
Manufactured Homes
The newer manufactured homes now come in sizes of 14’, 16’ and 18’ for a single wide, running in lengths of 66’ to 80’ giving you up to 1400 sq feet, granted your spot will accommodate such a size. This is why many of the newer models will only fit in the newer subdivisions made for larger sizes.
The newer manufactured homes are looking and feeling more like a real home. It’s no wonder many are making these resort homes their year round residence.
These newer homes can have 2-3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms + den, and 2 bathrooms, vaulted ceilings, open concept kitchen and living room with island and separate laundry. Often these lots will have an 8′ x 10’ shed or workshop as there really is no need for an Arizona room.
OUTSIDE LIVING
The outdoors is a staple area for people to spend their time. After all, who wants to be indoors in weather like this. Having a fare sized deck off the front door (often converted to patio doors) is very common as socializing, reading and relaxing out on the deck often take place. As well, eating outside is even better,… and why? Because there are no bugs and no mosquitos! Not like up north. So you can sit and enjoy your meal in peace.
If you don’t have a deck, many will use their driveway space for patio tables and chairs. Some make the back of their driveway into a cozy gathering space. But be sure to leave enough room for your vehicle as many parks don’t allow parking on the street. As most driveways have a covered carport, it’s a good idea to have sunscreens you can pull down alongside the drive or have them permanently installed to keep the heat off you when sitting in the sun. Some even have a rollup garage door installed to their carport, giving them lots of privacy and shade.
Now if you’re lucky enough to back a golf course or green space, it is very common to have the deck or patio out back leaving the driveway for the vehicles.
CONCLUSION
There are many great features about mobile and manufactured homes. All are unique in their own way. Living in large homes with large yards is becoming less of a priority in North America and especially with the 45+ age group starting to think about retirement or at least slowing down and working part-time. Downsizing is on the rise. Not only is the small space of the mobile homes a drawing feature with less to clean and less maintenance, but don’t forget about the community, activity and weather are of the many reasons living in a Mobile Home RV Resort Park is a must.