Recently, we have been receiving a lot of questions about what to look out for in a long-term or extended-stay RV park. We’ve combed through the questions and picked out a few that come up often and put them together in one quick article for easy reading. So if you’re considering a longer-term stay, here are some of the most common questions and our answers:
1. How can I find an affordable long-term RV park?
Some RV parks will offer discounts on long-term stays aimed at providing their extended-stay customers with a better deal. The reason is that RV parks prefer long-term residents, and not because of the steady revenue. Long-term residents tend to stay because they are in the area for work (e.g., road crews, traveling nurses or other professions), and/or can afford extended periods of time off from work. They tend to also be seasoned travelers who already know what they want and make for great neighbors.
Antiques Capital RV Park also offers discounted rates to customers looking to stay long-term. For a list of available packages and pricing, please click here.
2. What amenities/facilities should I look for?
We did a previous article titled “The Beginner’s Guide to Finding the Best Extended Stay RV Park” which talks about this in a little bit more detail, so click on the link to check that out.
The short answer is laundry, because let’s face it – nobody wants to do laundry for more than a month in an RV. ANY RV. Laundry facilities are a must.
Our park actually offers two laundry facilities on-site – one at the front and one at the back of the park. That’s because our park covers acres upon acres of beautiful landscape, so it can be quite the workout to lug your dirty laundry across the entire park. Proximity to laundry facilities is also something to consider.
3. How can I make the long-term stay more enjoyable?
“Think of what you really need in the long-run – things you don’t want to do without – and look for parks that offer those amenities.” This is probably the best advice we’ve heard from one of our long-term residents.
Here at ACRV park, we understand the difficulties with extended periods spent away from home. That’s why we offer a full range of amenities and activities for all our residents: a large activity center with regular group events, a fishing pond where you can while away a relaxing afternoon, two laundry facilities, a fully-equipped kitchen, picnic tables, and a barbeque pavilion, gym facilities, a book exchange and library for avid readers, and even a community fire pit where residents can gather and socialize.
4. What are my neighbors going to be like?
Customers on extended stays are probably our best residents. More often than not, they are staying for work (e.g., as part of a road crew, or as a traveling nurse, etc.) and keep to regular hours. They also appreciate neighbors who do the same, so some RV parks will keep long-term guests together so they aren’t disturbed by other rowdier vacationers. Make sure to mention this to the RV park before you book, so that they can make the proper arrangements for you.
5. Location, location, location. How to pick the best one?
“It needs to be livable, maybe something on the outskirts of the city, near the suburbs, where you can get nice landscapes and have access to nature,” is the recommendation from a long-term ACRV resident who is part of a road crew.
But you also want access to the entertainment and excitement of the city. Most RV parks will have their locations posted on their websites, so make sure you check the area to see if it’s close enough to the city and the places you need to be.
If you’re ever in East Texas though, consider Antique Capital RV Park – as we are located in Central Gladewater where the forests run on for miles, but also just a short drive away from the bustling cities of East Texas! It’s only a 15-minute drive to Longview or Kilgore, and just a 30-minute drive to Tyler, East Texas.
6. What is there to do around Gladewater, Longview, Tyler or east Texas in general?
Where do we begin?
Gladewater is known for its antiques and touted as the “Antique Capital of East Texas.” Spend a day digging up fascinating treasures and trinkets with this how-to guide.
Longview is just a 15-minute drive away from ACRV Park, so grab a bite at Jucy’s mouthwatering burgers, or try authentic Texas BBQ fare by visiting one of the best local favorite barbeque joints. Art lovers can also appreciate the thriving fine-arts scene in downtown Longview, while wine lovers will surely not want to miss the annual Longview Wine Festival. Not to mention, Longview is also home to the internationally famous Great Texas Balloon Race.
Tyler, Texas is known for its rose cultivations, so if you’re a fan of flowers or looking for a great Instagram photo, check out the Texas Rose Festival, and make sure to bring home a rosey treat as a souvenir.
For the avid outdoorsman (or woman), east Texas is the best place to be. Check out Barnwell Mountain Recreational Area for some fun-filled off-roading adventure, or visit one of the stunning nature reserves around east Texas. There are also plenty of low-key outdoor activity options for seniors or families.
We love to share our knowledge and that of our longer-term campers, so we hope these QnA’s were helpful to you in planning your next extended park RV stay. ACRV park has a full inventory of extended stay sites that are comfortable, quiet, and convenient. We’d love to have you stay with us if you’re in the area!
