{"id":6542,"date":"2017-04-04T08:54:09","date_gmt":"2017-04-04T08:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/?p=6542"},"modified":"2026-04-07T11:34:58","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T11:34:58","slug":"bring-your-own-caravan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/bring-your-own-caravan\/","title":{"rendered":"BYO Caravan! Tackling rental affordability head-on!"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Using the humble caravan to make renting more affordable<\/h3>\n\n

While a new Rental App looks to pit prospective renters against each other in a bidding war, Roxanne decided to explore a different approach, which ultimately puts her more in charge.<\/p>\n\n

See, Roxanne is bringing her caravan to a yard near you. We caught up with Roxanne to find out a bit more.<\/p>\n\n

Thanks for joining us on the flatmate blog Roxanne.<\/p>\n\n

Tell us, how did you come about with a caravan with the intention of living in people’s yards?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

I kind of vacated Adelaide semi “Into the Wild” style in my Subaru station wagon about 7 months ago, I ended up in this little oasis in Nimbin after a while and started thinking about what I’d do when I left. I knew a city of sorts was on the cards but I didn’t know which. I liked the solitude of having my own space in the Subaru and figured it would be nice if I could have a home that I could take anywhere I fancied. So that’s what I did.<\/p>\n\n

How did you come into possession of your van?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Once I’d decided what to do, I started looking for a caravan on Gumtree. My mum who is near the Gold Coast went and inspected a caravan which wasn’t quite right but they offered to show her another. It was exactly what I’d envisioned. They delivered it to me a week later.<\/p>\n\n

What or who inspired you?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

In March 2015 I went through Nimbin on the way to Byron Bay Bluesfest in my trusty Suby and found the mystical oasis mentioned above. Since then I had always imagined putting a caravan in that spot (van site 6 it was called back then) with the intention of being able to go anywhere from there. I guess that’s where it started. I went on caravan trips when I was younger and my dad and step mum lived in a caravan park in South Africa soon after they married when I was 6, so in a way I guess I’ve drawn inspiration from many things.<\/p>\n\n

How much luck have you had so far?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

So far people have been intrigued by my situation, shown interest, but I’ve had little in terms of offers for places to put my home.<\/p>\n\n

Where are some of the places you have parked your van?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

So far, The Rox YHA and it is currently on a farm about an hour from there.<\/p>\n\n

[Tweet “I get the odd comment when I mention my situation – “you live in a…caravan??””]<\/p>\n\n

How have you found people’s reception?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

For the most part people are intrigued and supportive. Some think it’s silly. Like, why not just rent like everyone else? Well, the places I’ve looked at – parking spaces\/garages etc, average at about $80 – $90 a week\/$300 – $400 a month. Some have had bathrooms. I’m happy to pay extra towards additional utilities – I offer $150 a week which is better than most Sydney rentals these days, especially for a struggling student like myself. I get the odd comment and raised eyebrow every now and then when I mention my situation – “you live in a…caravan??” – to which I just say yes. That’s my plan. It’s my home.<\/p>\n\n

What do you require when you are looking for a base? \u00a0(bathroom, electricity etc.)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Bathroom, electricity and a 2.7m height clearance. I can also attach a hose but that is not essential. I have a 50 metre power cable to connect with so don’t have to be in anyone’s business and hope to get solar power in future. Ideally I’d like something covered. But a backyard is just fine too. The ultimate spot would be a large garage or small warehouse that I can park my home in and use as a creative space. As long as people are happy having me there, I’m happy.<\/p>\n\n

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See Also:\u00a0CARAVANS \u2013 TURNING CARPORTS INTO CASH<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Have you set up base at a caravan park?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

I have not, long term caravan sites in Sydney are still super expensive. I’ve had to put my caravan into storage and rent like everyone else while I find a place for it here. It really is my home and I miss living in it.<\/p>\n\n

What advice would you give aspiring caramates out there considering the move to mobile living?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

Caramates, I like it. Hmm, I’m not really sure. I guess one point would be that if you were wanting to get a caravan it might be wise to get something that is not quite as high as mine. I’ve struggled due to height restrictions.Any other interesting stories or anecdotes to share?Not that I can think of right now, haha. People have tried to sway me away from the idea. But I’m not discouraged. I’d say to anyone in my position to keep trying. I love my home. Who wouldn’t want a mobile apartment?<\/p>\n\n

Well there you have it, a very inspiring human being who has taken the humble caravan, and ventured forth to tackle rental affordability head on, Well done Roxanne!<\/p>\n\n

If you’d like to get in touch with Roxanne, please get in touch with us and we’ll pass on your message.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Using the humble caravan to make renting more affordable While a new Rental App looks to pit prospective renters against each other in a bidding war, Roxanne decided to explore a different approach, which ultimately puts her more in charge. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6544,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[482],"tags":[242],"class_list":["post-6542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flatmate-stories-humour","tag-caravan"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6542","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6542"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6542\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10634,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6542\/revisions\/10634"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6542"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6542"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatmate.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6542"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}