What are retirement mobile home parks and how do they differ from other kinds of parks.

Even though some manufactured homes today are still being called mobile homes, there is a difference.

• Be sure to know the date your mobile home was built.

  The term mobile home refers to factory-built homes built before June 15, 1976. They do not meet current HUD standards.

  After that date they are called manufactured homes. In addition, as mobile homes age and are replaced with a new model, they are then called manufactured homes. Be sure to see our manufactured homes page also since most communities are a mix of both.

• Gradually mobile homes are being replaced with new models.

  Many of the mobile homes in these parks are old. There is a gradual upgrading as newer homes are replacing older ones in parks. You can buy or lease the lot for the location and then replace the home.

• Do you want to own your lot or lease it.

  In a mobile home park, you do not always own your lot. Lot lease communities are ones where you buy the home but lease the lot for a monthly fee.

  The lot appreciates if you own it and your investment is more stable. Leased lots have advantages because you don't have to outlay more money for the land and pay property taxes (verify). However, there is more risk that the community could be sold and you will need to move.

Characteristics of Mobile Homes:

• You can find mobile home active adult communities in some of the most desirable locations. Many were built when land was cheap and available.

• Senior parks are usually well maintained and quiet.

• There are some outstanding bargains in mobile homes in the current economic climate especially in hard-hit areas like Florida, Nevada or Arizona. You can find many mobile homes in land-lease communities for under $25,000 (lot lease fee is additional.)

• Many mobile home parks serve as second homes for "snowbirds." RV parks are similar.

See our article about

Prescott

Mobile Home Communities in Prescott

Hibiscus Mobile Home Park 50+ community in Prescott 928-776-0414

Mesa

Mobile Home Retirement Parks in Mesa

The following California retirement parks are by HCA Management. You can view them on their website. See link below.

The Terrace in Spring Valley on outskirts of San Diego
Pueblo Serena Sonoma - pool/spa area.
Rancho de Calistoga - in the Napa wine country
Rancho de Napa in the wine country of napa
Rincon Valley Santa Rosa in Sonoma County - half hour drive to ocean and Russian River nearby
Valhalla West Sacramento community includes lake Fairway Oaks in Redding - close to Mt shasta and mt lassen recreation areas

We have 3 pages of Florida Mobile Home Retirement Communities.

This is our search process:

Narrow down to 2 or 3 counties, then choose 2 or 3 communities from those counties and then 2 or 3 homes from each community. This process will make it easier to navigate the huge selection of senior mobile home communities in Florida. (counties are listed alphabetically except for the first 3 on the list which are the most popular)

This is Page One Contents (by Counties):

• Pinellas
• Polk
• Pasco
• Broward
• Brevard
• Charlotte

The Yacht Club - Rogers - In Ozark Mountains. 479-925-3162

Briarwood Eugene Oregon - By HCA Mgmt. - area has alot for the outdoorsman - spacious lawns

Greenway in Dallas Oreg by HCA Mgmt. one hour from Portland rural feeling but with nearby dining, shopping, golf and local wineries

Photos by Bow-Lake Community-Sean Hoyt

Bow Lake 55+ Residential Community Seatac - Found - a nice mobile home community a few minutes to the Light Rail to Seattle for shopping, dining and entertainment. The community has a Community Center, pool/spa, fitness, woodshop and so many other amenities you'll enjoy in retirement.

Tara Estates Retirement Village - Rochester NH - Seacoast area. Affordable senior manufactured and mobile home community on 267 acres with fishing, golf, shopping and medical nearby. Located on Salmon Falls River in wooded setting. Recently purchased by new owner. Sales Office: 603-332-4030 ext 11 - for more information.

Please be sure to personally verify all information and prices as they can change without notice.