Sorry for the broad range, but I have a TON of questions. Wasn't sure which forum to put this in.
I live in CT, about 130 miles from where I work in Queens, NY. I took the job at the beginning of the year, and worked out a motel deal for the first three months of motel. That ends when March ends.
I won't be moving my family of four down until July or August, so I need somewhere to land until then. I figure I spend a minimum of three nights a week in the city. I usually drive down Mon morning, stay M, T and W night and then leave after work on Thurs. Sometimes that changes, but that's a good baseline. So, figure 13 nights a month, minimum.
At bare bones rate of $75 (that's like the. lowest. possible. short of a hostel) to a more accurate rate of $100 for a place with decent reviews, I'm looking at $975 to $1300 per month for the next four months. So, $3900-$5200 all in gets me a place to park, a climate controlled room, a minimalist's breakfastm, somewhere to bathe, iron, exercise and a modicum of privacy with *maybe* a decent bed. At the end of all this, I own nothing other than the rewards points I'll garner from the stays.
So, I'm kicking around the thought of buying a small Class C, or even a very light truck camper to slide into my 1991 Chevy half ton. It's only a 6.5" bed and the truck gets terrible gas mileage and has 150k miles. However, I don't doubt its ability to make it down there. Budget would be $3000-$4500.
Whatever I choose, it will need to stay down there over the weekends and days that I'm not at home, I'll have my car with me and use that to get around. That complicates things, though I may have a couple places I can leave it - it all depends on where I stay.
So, I guess what I'm looking for is some input on what the best way to approach all of this is. I understand there are some campgrounds out near Old Bethpage, which is a pretty sizable commute into Queens each day. Then, add in the $15-$20/day, assuming availabilty and it quickly erodes the value of the camper by $1000. And still not taking the commute into Queens each day into account. Also not considering the trouble of moving at the beginning of the week, setup, takedown and then moving it again on Thursdays.
I have owned a camper in the past, a '91 Class C 26' Damon Hornet that we used for family outings. I loved it, but it was large and I don't neccesarily need something like that. I don't think a bumper pull travel trailer works well because of the requirement to move it somewhere each weekend to avoid paying for the campground spot.
Finally, I need to be presentable and professionally attired each day (business casual), can't be stanky and wrinkly, so a van down by the river won't work. So, presentability and the ability to prepare some food, have a little comfort and most importantly, stay safe and keep out of trouble is paramount.
I know it's ultimately my decision and only can know how much I value / weight all the factors, but I would certainly be interested in hearing what you'd do, what your thoughts are and any ideas you fine, experienced folks might have. I'm interested in hearing others' boondocking experiences as they are related to Queens / Long Island. This area is a lot less accepting of "odd" practices. Feel free to ask questions or berate me for my misconceptions and dumb ideas.
I live in CT, about 130 miles from where I work in Queens, NY. I took the job at the beginning of the year, and worked out a motel deal for the first three months of motel. That ends when March ends.
I won't be moving my family of four down until July or August, so I need somewhere to land until then. I figure I spend a minimum of three nights a week in the city. I usually drive down Mon morning, stay M, T and W night and then leave after work on Thurs. Sometimes that changes, but that's a good baseline. So, figure 13 nights a month, minimum.
At bare bones rate of $75 (that's like the. lowest. possible. short of a hostel) to a more accurate rate of $100 for a place with decent reviews, I'm looking at $975 to $1300 per month for the next four months. So, $3900-$5200 all in gets me a place to park, a climate controlled room, a minimalist's breakfastm, somewhere to bathe, iron, exercise and a modicum of privacy with *maybe* a decent bed. At the end of all this, I own nothing other than the rewards points I'll garner from the stays.
So, I'm kicking around the thought of buying a small Class C, or even a very light truck camper to slide into my 1991 Chevy half ton. It's only a 6.5" bed and the truck gets terrible gas mileage and has 150k miles. However, I don't doubt its ability to make it down there. Budget would be $3000-$4500.
Whatever I choose, it will need to stay down there over the weekends and days that I'm not at home, I'll have my car with me and use that to get around. That complicates things, though I may have a couple places I can leave it - it all depends on where I stay.
So, I guess what I'm looking for is some input on what the best way to approach all of this is. I understand there are some campgrounds out near Old Bethpage, which is a pretty sizable commute into Queens each day. Then, add in the $15-$20/day, assuming availabilty and it quickly erodes the value of the camper by $1000. And still not taking the commute into Queens each day into account. Also not considering the trouble of moving at the beginning of the week, setup, takedown and then moving it again on Thursdays.
I have owned a camper in the past, a '91 Class C 26' Damon Hornet that we used for family outings. I loved it, but it was large and I don't neccesarily need something like that. I don't think a bumper pull travel trailer works well because of the requirement to move it somewhere each weekend to avoid paying for the campground spot.
Finally, I need to be presentable and professionally attired each day (business casual), can't be stanky and wrinkly, so a van down by the river won't work. So, presentability and the ability to prepare some food, have a little comfort and most importantly, stay safe and keep out of trouble is paramount.
I know it's ultimately my decision and only can know how much I value / weight all the factors, but I would certainly be interested in hearing what you'd do, what your thoughts are and any ideas you fine, experienced folks might have. I'm interested in hearing others' boondocking experiences as they are related to Queens / Long Island. This area is a lot less accepting of "odd" practices. Feel free to ask questions or berate me for my misconceptions and dumb ideas.