In California, the San Francisco Bay Area remains one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S., with some one-bedroom apartments running well over $3,000 per month.

In the city of Pleasanton, an affluent enclave, the Vineyard Estates 55 and over manufactured home community remains one of the few affordable housing options left in the area.

What started with one letter to the editor calling a real home “one that is firmly attached to the ground,” turned into two very strong endorsements for the community, and the quality of modern manufactured housing.

“My definition of a home goes more along the lines of the old proverb, ‘Home is where the heart is,” wrote Susan Reid, whose parents live in the Vineyard Estates community.

“Vineyard Estates has a definite heart in Pleasanton. Taking a drive through this safe, friendly senior community, it is easy to see the feeling of home. While these are not stick-and-brick dwellings, these mobile homes [sic] allow many seniors the opportunity to enjoy living in Pleasanton.”

Reid also shared the importance of independence for the community’s senior residents, and that the “old stereotypes” are just that.

“Neighbors care about neighbors; there is always a smile and a wave by those passing by, either on dog-walks or golf cart rides. The grounds are well maintained. There are activities to be enjoyed each day. Vineyards Estates is serviced by public transit, allowing seniors, my parents included, to be more mobile.

These units are safe and affordable; much more so than some other senior units in Pleasanton. ‘Home’ is an emotional word. Vineyard Estates allows many seniors an affordable place in which to live near loved ones. So, sir, do not denigrate the community as ‘being overpriced shacks’ and ‘crumbling carcasses.”

Ralph Mele, a resident at Vineyard Estates, also shared his feelings.

“I have lived in Vineyard Estates for four years and bought a new manufactured home in 2013. After living in several very nice custom houses, I found to my surprise the manufactured house I purchased was every bit as nice and well constructed as the custom house I owned. In fact, it is built to very high standards sometimes not found in custom houses. The standards for a manufactured house are set by law, and each factory that builds these units must adhere to the rules, or is not able to sell their houses,” said Mele.

“These manufactured houses vary in size from 1,000 to 1,800 square feet and feature granite countertops, wood flooring, fireplaces and laundry rooms, many have three bedrooms and two baths. They are affordable and offer seniors a safe and comfortable environment to live in. You cannot find a new house in Pleasanton for the price you pay for the manufactured houses available in Vineyard Estates.”

As Daily Business News readers are already well aware, even though those old stereotypes persist, but many in the industry are working to set the record straight.

“Today’s manufactured homes can look and live like a conventional, site-built house, and can be half the price of new construction. Additionally, many manufactured homes are Energy Star rated, so they are more efficient than older, existing homes,” said Lindsey Bostick of Sunshine Homes.

“Many desire to move from renting to owning, but often struggle to find that a real possibility in the current site-built market. The manufactured housing industry can offer a solution to that problem.”

For a more detailed history on the journey from mobile to manufactured homes, please click here. ##

 

(Image credits are as shown above, and when provided by third parties, are shared under fair use guidelines.)

 

Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.