The New Trend In Mobile Home Ownership

California's housing crisis has caused such inflated prices, you can now purchase a $650,000 mobile home with an ocean view.

1 minute read

April 12, 2004, 1:00 PM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


Traditionally, living in a mobile home has meant renting space for it. In exclusive beachfront parks such as Paradise Cove in Malibu, used mobile homes sell for as much as $650,000. But those price tags cover only the coach and the right to lease the space. An owner still has to pay rent, which can be as much as $2,000 a month. In recent years, mobile home dwellers have begun forming cooperatives to buy their communities (Oak Forest residents own their plots outright). About 200 of the state's 4,800 mobile home parks are resident-owned, according to Sheila Dey, executive director of the Western Manufactured Housing Assn. in Sacramento.

Thanks to Chris Steins

Sunday, April 11, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement

The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

The Gross Reservoir, a large body of water surrounded by trees and mountains.

Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion

Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.

September 18, 2026 - Inside Climate News

A painted bus lane in NYC.

NYC DOT wants faster, more permanent street upgrades

The city is examining ways to build more concrete infrastructure without getting entangled in 'decades-long' projects.

September 21 - NYC Streetsblog

A woman looks at a utility bill.

'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide

Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.

September 21 - Smart Cities Dive

A person scuba diving in a coral reef off Guam.

Trump to overrule local leaders, lease millions of acres of America’s Pacific Island territories’ seafloors to mining companies

International law says that the Indigenous people of America’s territories have a right to prior and informed consent regarding projects that impact their countries.

September 21 - Grist