A new start at the campsite – living where others go on vacation!
This 7-part documentary series follows the lives of campsite residents.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in a mobile home?
Whether in a camper, tiny house or roof tent – the walls are very thin and privacy is not a priority here.
Nevertheless, around 30,000 Germans swap their home for a residence on a campsite every year.
Self-determination and freedom on the one hand, problems and compromises on the other.
Watch all the episodes about everyday life on a permanent campsite here.
Camping Ratgeber:
Permanent camping in nature: advantages & disadvantages
For many people, camping means pure freedom and closeness to nature.
Most people therefore seek a break from stressful everyday life for a few days on a camping vacation.
However, there are also permanent campers who have swapped their life in the house or apartment for a life on the campsite.
Even if the idyllic peace and quiet sounds tempting and a real lifelong dream comes true for some people, it is still a big step that comes with restrictions and conflicts.
After all, reality is often different and life in the open air comes with a few complications.
Especially when winter arrives! 
Here you can watch all 7 episodes of the series in which Thomas Schmidt and his family, as well as other permanent campers, are accompanied through their life on the campsite in Westerland:
Living where others go on vacation – Episode 1
Thomas Schmidt is fed up with his old life and quits his job without further ado.
Together with his family, he decides to live on the “Am Wiesensee” campsite in the Westerwald.
After two years of persuasion, Thomas, his wife Sonja and their daughter Eva take the plunge and move into a mobile home.
Wolfram Mielke decides to live on the campsite for financial reasons.
He has been living in a second-hand mobile home ever since.
According to him, it was the best decision of his life.
And Claudia and Detlef Stein also swapped their large house for 42 square meters on the campsite, even if it meant a lot of unexpected adventures.
The most common reasons for living on a campsite:
- Self-determination and freedom
- Searching for a new adventure
- Financial reasons, e.g. due to unemployment
Watch the first episode and the beginning of the Schmidt family’s adventure here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQtUWpMcT70
Life’s dreams put to the test – episode 2
You have to get creative when camping!
As you don’t necessarily have the most luxury items with you, you often have to improvise.
Like Wolfram Mielke, for example!
The 74-year-old has built his own camping shower in front of his mobile home so that he can not only take a shower, but also no longer has to drive to the wash house, especially in winter.
Claudia Stein also knows how to help herself!
She planted apple trees in front of her door and Thomas Schmidt built his own terrace in front of her mobile home.
Watch the second episode of the documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix2-hO-TQmU
When the past calls – Episode 3
Even if the inhabitants’ old lives seem very distant, the past often catches up with them.
Wolfgang Mielke used to sail on huge ocean liners and now, after a long time, he sees his old crewmates again.
Winter is also slowly approaching, and the inhabitants are provided with essential supplies. Gas cylinders for the heating are made available to the campers so that the nights are not quite so chilly.
For some of the residents, this is their first winter on the campsite!
You can watch episode 3 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OHnKCHcZmg&list=PLqFRvy_OBSDqpvuEINWnDKgBOx22vga7D&index=3
It’s getting cold in paradise – episode 4
Understandably, after a while, some people have doubts about their decision to move to the campsite.
Especially now, during the cold season, life in the open air gives 80-year-old Udo Tarrey a hard time.
Nevertheless, even in winter there are no fewer residents on the site.
Quite the opposite – more and more new interested parties are arriving to look at available accommodation.
What is the difference between caravans, mobile homes and tiny houses?
You can find out this and much more in episode 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fkEaqwlVpo&list=PLqFRvy_OBSDqpvuEINWnDKgBOx22vga7D&index=4
Slump in the wallet – episode 5
For Maria Egenolf, after a long unplanned delay, it’s finally time to go camping!
Many people choose to live on a campsite because it is much cheaper than renting an apartment, for example.
Nevertheless, money is often tight here too.
When unexpected costs arise, such as the repair of the car in Wolfram Mielke’s case, the annoyance is great.
The savings are often earmarked for the pitch rent, but life on the campsite doesn’t work without a car.
Take a look at episode 5 to see how the residents solve such problems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go62D3-jo2A&list=PLqFRvy_OBSDqpvuEINWnDKgBOx22vga7D&index=5
Real men don’t cry – Episode 6
Spring is now just around the corner, which makes for a good mood on the campsite.
In the rays of sunshine, the residents get to work tinkering, trimming hedges and installing satellite dishes.
Meanwhile, Wolfram Mielke was able to get hold of an inexpensive small car and is happy to be mobile again!
The Schmidts also have a new family car, which was quickly decorated in pink-pink color accents on the inside.
You can see the result of their creative work in episode 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fjj5DXike0M&list=PLqFRvy_OBSDqpvuEINWnDKgBOx22vga7D&index=6
Old dreams, new goals – episode 7
In the last episode of the documentary, some of the residents reach their limits.
Sonja Smidt in particular is getting fed up.
Her husband Thomas is constantly on duty as groundskeeper, the weather is often uncomfortable and the atmosphere on the campsite is getting worse and worse.
Their daughter Eva, on the other hand, is enthusiastic and loves life on the campsite.
Thomas is also completely euphoric!
He has discovered a secluded site with a pond and log cabin nearby where he would like to open his own campsite!
What do his wife and daughter think?
Watch the last episode of the documentary series here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOhZC2dcr_E&list=PLqFRvy_OBSDqpvuEINWnDKgBOx22vga7D&index=7
Conclusion: permanent camping: top or flop?
All in all, permanent camping is a real adventure!
Many people choose to live on a campsite for reasons of freedom and flexibility.
However, many people have no other choice for financial reasons.
Either way, even though permanent camping has some positive aspects, there are definitely some pitfalls.
If the weather plays along, you can definitely enjoy the good things about camping!
Idyllic nature, peace and quiet, spontaneity, freedom!
On the other hand, you definitely don’t have any privacy on a campsite.
Then there’s the bad weather.
Even though it can get quite cold and uncomfortable when camping permanently, winter camping is definitely an unforgettable experience with the right accessories and helpful tips for winter camping beginners, and life on a campsite can be easily mastered even in cold temperatures.
In the end, everyone has to decide for themselves whether permanent camping is for them or whether a short trip or a few weeks are enough for an extensive camping vacation.
