Ken Shrensel spent most of his career in hotel management. Six years ago he saw an ad to manage Far Horizons RV Park, applied, and got the job. “I’ve only spent one night of my life in an RV, but I thought it would be less stressful than running a hotel. I like it. It’s less corporate.”

Far Horizons RV Park opened over forty years ago. The park has 514 sites for motor homes, trailers, and ‘Park Models’, mini-mobile homes up to 400 square feet that are movable in theory, but in fact are quite secure. “We have up to 1000 residents in the winter, since most are couples, but only about 150 people live here in summer.” In winter, the staff grows to twenty people, three or four focus on activities for the residents, all of whom are 55 or older. “We have one family with a grandfather, father and grandson; and the grandson is over fifty-five. That means the grandfather is pretty old.”

People rent sites by the night, week, or month ($43 / $245 / $700 per RV in high season). Park models pay about $5000 a year for their plot, which includes a concrete patio, a metal storage shed, and a set of wooden steps to access the dwelling. Most park models are permanent; they enclose the apron beneath the unit and add a shed roof to create a carport.

Far Horizons is a top shelf RV park. The activities building includes a large community room for lectures and dances, arts and crafts studios, a large pool, outdoor kitchen and laundry/ shower facilities, all of which augment the tiny private spaces found in Patio Models.

I ask Ken how Far Horizons has changed. “It used to be more RV’s, now there are many more Patio Models. We have more young people, closer to age 55. They are more active. Our activities reflect that. Recently we added pickleball, zumba, and an outdoor fitness area.”

How will we live tomorrow?

“We will downsize. The days of the McMansion are ending. I live in a 1500 square foot house. It’s easier to inhabit than a larger house; easier to maintain. The tiny house movement is gaining traction.”