Although a stereotype boils a group down to its most basic attributes, there are always exceptions. Read on to learn about five notable trailer parks that do not fit the stereotype.
In the world of residential real estate, trailer parks are widely regarded as among the lowest of the low. When most people think about trailer parks, images of row after row of tiny, rundown trailers and mobile homes spring to mind. In most communities, these parks offer the most affordable housing around — and, many would argue, the lowest-quality housing as well.
Like any stereotype, this one misses the mark in many ways. In reality, trailer parks aren’t uniformly unappealing. Oftentimes, they are the only viable option for people who have limited incomes or poor credit histories. Trailer parks generally aren’t what you would call upscale. There are exceptions to the rule, though, and some of those exceptions are truly incredible. As you will see, there are luxury trailer parks in places like California and Colorado that would put nicer subdivisions in other areas to shame in terms of the quality of the homes, amenities, location, and more.
1. Paradise Cove, Malibu, CA
Perhaps the best-known luxury trailer park in the United States, Paradise Cove stretches over an area of about 85 acres on the bluffs overlooking the ocean in Malibu. Frequently described as a “bohemian trailer park,” its roots stretch back to the 1970s. Back then, the park offered truly affordable alternatives to what was already impossibly expensive Malibu living.
Today, Paradise Cove is something of an anomaly. In a real estate market where homes are routinely listed in the tens of millions of dollars, mobile homes here can be had for “as little” as a couple of million. Clocking in at between 400 and 1,000 square feet, homes here have been snapped up by various celebrities through the years, including Pamela Anderson and Matthew McConaughey. Residents of the nearly 300 trailers enjoy access to a host of amenities, but most would probably agree that beach access is the top one.
2. Point Dume Club, Malibu, CA
Incredibly, upscale Malibu is home to not one trailer park but two — and this one is every bit as exclusive as Paradise Cove. Situated above iconic Zuma Beach, the park stretches over an area of around 93 acres. There are around 300 homes in the park, which is also private and gated to ensure the safety and privacy of residents. Just to rent a space here will set you back by around $2,000 per month or so, and you can expect to fork over anywhere from $500,000 to $2 million to buy a place.
Point Dume Club, whose official name conspicuously lacks any mention of the term “trailer park,” feels more like a country club than the stereotypes that are typically associated with mobile home parks. Residents zip around on golf carts, and they enjoy access to amenities like a heated swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, and even a sauna. “Trailers” in the community are fitted out with high-end touches like granite counters and stainless-steel appliances.
Most importantly, they are literally just steps from one of the most amazing beaches in the country.
3. Montauk Shores, Montauk, New York
In the heart of the glamorous Hamptons, you will find Montauk Shores. Compared with the multimillion-dollar beach houses that surround it, this trailer park offers decidedly quaint accommodations. By stereotypical trailer park standards, however, homes here are downright luxurious. The park even boasts a “Billionaires’ Corner,” where one resident replaced the cheap, plastic siding on his trailer with genuine mahogany.
The history behind this Hamptons standout is fascinating. Originally, it sprouted up as a sort of impromptu campsite. In the 1940s and 1950s, it was popular among those who worked in the public sector, including firefighters and teachers. In 1976, residents banded together to purchase the site, which stretches across 20 acres along 900 feet of shoreline.
Trailers in the park offer anywhere from 200 to 1,400 square feet of living space, and they currently sell for anywhere from $200,000 to more than $1.5 million. With its laid-back, relaxed, and even funky vibe, Montauk Shores is ironically a popular place for billionaires to see and be seen — how many trailer parks can claim that distinction?
4. Smuggler Park, Aspen, CO
Affectionately known among locals as the “Million Dollar Trailer Park,” Smuggler Park is another example of a throwback to a simpler era that is now surrounded by some of the priciest real estate in the country. With its location in the heart of town, the park affords residents truly incredible views of the Rocky Mountains.
When it was first opened, Smuggler Park was a bona fide mobile home park. Residents purchased the park in the 1980s, and then the ambiance of the place started to shift. Today, the park still includes actual trailers, or mobile homes; however, they are joined by modular homes and even traditional homes. These homes are situated on 88 lots, and they typically offer anywhere from 2,000 to 3,500 square feet of living space.
Recently, a trailer in the park sold for around $850,000, but you can check it out yourself for far less by renting a place on AirBnB.
5. Chateau La Salle, San Jose, CA
We round out our list with yet another luxury trailer park that is located in the state of California. Its proximity to Silicon Valley has made it popular with tech entrepreneurs; the park is open to all ages. Like other luxury trailer parks on this list, this one offers upscale amenities, including a rec center, a swimming pool, and a billiards room. For those who want to live relatively close to the tech capital of the country for affordable prices, Chateau La Salle is an intriguing option to consider.