When my husband Brian told me he’s from Laguna Beach, I couldn’t believe it. I tried to act cool and asked if it was near Los Angeles, but deep down, I was excited. Laguna Beach was a familiar place to me, thanks to all the reality shows and TV dramas I used to watch.
In 2021, we made the decision to leave the Bay Area and spend some time in Laguna Beach. Both of us work remotely, so we thought, why not? We fell in love with the beautiful scenery, the laid-back vibe, and the vibrant art scene of the town. However, finding an affordable living situation in such an expensive area was a challenge.
The median home price in Laguna Beach is around $3 million, and the monthly rent is over $8,000. We couldn’t afford to pay that much in the long run. Fortunately, we stumbled upon a unique neighborhood with mobile homes that were much more affordable. We decided to purchase a trailer for $212,500 and pay a monthly cost of about $5,148, which includes the land lease, utilities, and loan repayment.
Our vintage trailer, built in the 1960s, offers us a cozy two-bedroom, two-bathroom living space. We had to get creative with storage since there are no closets in the house. Despite the unconventional setup, we managed to make it work. We added personal touches to the kitchen and the bedroom, making the place feel like our own.
One of the best features of our trailer is the outdoor yard. We have an outdoor shower, a dining area, a hot tub, a Ping-Pong table, a pizza oven, and a projector screen. We spend a lot of time outside, enjoying the sunny weather and hosting friends.
Living in a house on wheels comes with its challenges, like dealing with pests and maintenance issues. However, the low monthly housing costs make it all worth it. We love the laid-back lifestyle in Laguna Beach, from having morning coffee on the deck to relaxing in the hot tub in the evenings.
Overall, we couldn’t be happier with our decision to move to Laguna Beach and live in a vintage trailer by the beach. The unconventional living situation suits us perfectly, and we have no plans of moving anytime soon. Our little piece of paradise in Laguna Beach is truly a dream come true.