Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park

For us Vermonters, finding an affordable and stable place to call home, especially one that offers a genuine sense of community, can be a real priority. That's precisely what you'll discover at Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park in Castleton. This isn't just a typical mobile home park; it's a resident-owned cooperative (ROC). This means that the homeowners collectively own the land and infrastructure of the park, giving them a direct voice in its management and a significant stake in their shared future. This model provides a level of security and affordability that is truly unique in the housing market.

Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park offers a refreshing alternative to traditional housing, allowing residents to enjoy the benefits of homeownership without the common burdens of large property taxes or extensive land maintenance. It's a place where neighbors are part of a shared venture, working together to maintain and improve their community. As one resident noted, it's a "good place to live," reflecting the positive environment fostered by cooperative ownership. For anyone looking to establish roots in a peaceful and supportive setting in Rutland County, Windy Hollow presents an excellent opportunity to enjoy the charm of Vermont living.

Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park is conveniently located at 637 River St, Castleton, VT 05735, USA. This address places the community within the scenic town of Castleton, Vermont, offering residents a tranquil rural setting while maintaining accessibility to essential services and local attractions. River Street itself provides straightforward access within the immediate area.

Castleton is known for its natural beauty and proximity to outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking (as one reviewer noted, "Great place for a little hike") and access to the Lakes Region (Lake Bomoseen and Lake Fair Haven). For daily needs, the park is a short drive from Castleton University, which often means access to local shops, eateries, and community events that cater to the university population. Larger towns such as Rutland, which offers a broader range of shopping, dining, and healthcare facilities, are typically within a 15-20 minute drive, accessible via major routes like US Route 4. The park's location provides a peaceful retreat while ensuring residents remain connected to the conveniences of larger towns. This balance of rural charm and practical accessibility makes Windy Hollow an appealing location for those seeking a laid-back Vermont lifestyle.

As a resident-owned cooperative, Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park operates with a focus on providing essential services that enhance the quality of life for its homeowners while maintaining affordability. The cooperative structure means that monthly fees are managed by and for the residents, directly funding the community's upkeep and shared amenities. Typical services offered in a ROC like Windy Hollow include:

• Affordable Monthly Site Fees: Residents pay a monthly fee to the cooperative, which is designed to cover the collective costs of managing and maintaining the park's infrastructure and common areas, without a profit margin for an external landlord. In past listings, this fee was noted around $380.00, covering specific utilities.
• Water and Sewer Services: A significant convenience for residents, the monthly park fee typically includes the cost of water and sewer services, simplifying utility management and contributing to predictable housing expenses.
• Road Maintenance and Snow Plowing: The cooperative is responsible for maintaining the internal roads within the park and, crucially for Vermont winters, providing snow plowing services for these roads, ensuring safe and accessible routes for residents.
• Community Governance: Residents have the opportunity to participate in the democratic governance of their community by electing a Board of Directors and voting on major issues such as the annual budget, bylaws, and community rules. This ensures that the park is run in the best interests of its homeowners.
• Infrastructure Upgrades: Because the residents own the park, fees and grant funds (such as a Community Development Block Grant for upgrading water and sewer lines received in 2017) can be reinvested directly into improving and maintaining the park's infrastructure, ensuring long-term stability and quality.
• Access to Resources and Support: Being part of the ROC USA Network means the community has access to expert technical assistance and financing opportunities to support its operations and growth.
• Waste Management: While not explicitly stated, mobile home parks generally provide services for trash and recycling collection for residents.

Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park offers several distinctive features and highlights that make it a desirable living option in Castleton, Vermont, particularly given its resident-owned cooperative status:

• Resident Ownership (ROC Model): This is the most crucial highlight. The successful purchase of the park by its residents in 2017 transformed it into a resident-owned cooperative. This model provides residents with unprecedented control over their living environment, protection against sudden park sales or unreasonable rent increases, and a direct stake in the community's future.
• Enhanced Financial Security: With resident ownership, the community is no longer subject to the whims of a private landlord. This leads to more stable and predictable monthly lot fees, and any "profits" are reinvested into the park for the benefit of the residents. Homes in ROCs also tend to appreciate more reliably as the land tenure is secure.
• Strong Sense of Community: The cooperative structure naturally fosters a close-knit and supportive community. Residents often work together on common goals (such as acquiring new community signs, as noted in a ROC USA article), building a stronger neighborhood bond. As one resident review states, "It's a good place to live," reflecting this positive atmosphere.
• Affordable Homeownership in Vermont: In a state where housing affordability can be challenging, Windy Hollow provides a viable and accessible pathway to homeownership for many Vermonters, combining the benefits of a private home with managed community services.
• Well-Maintained Properties: Homes within the community, when listed for sale, often showcase appealing features and renovations. Examples include spacious double-wide homes with "new high-end laminate flooring throughout, new dishwasher, new range, new furnace, new oil tank, new blinds," and "two outdoor sheds for additional storage." This indicates residents' investment in their homes, contributing to a well-kept community.
• Pet-Friendly Environment: Specific rules may apply, but many ROCs are designed to be accommodating to pets, understanding that they are part of residents' families.
• Peaceful Country Location: Situated on River Street in Castleton, the park offers a quiet, rural setting, yet remains conveniently close to local amenities and natural recreational opportunities like hiking.
• Transparent Governance: Residents elect a Board of Directors and vote on key decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability in the park's management.

As a resident-owned cooperative, Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park doesn't typically run commercial "promotions" or seasonal sales in the way a retail business or RV campground might. Instead, its "special offers" are intrinsic to the benefits of the ROC model and the long-term value it provides to its residents. These advantages are continuous and fundamental to living in such a community:

• Low Entry Cost for Membership: A significant "offer" is the very low cost of a share for membership in the cooperative, historically noted as a one-time buy-in of approximately one hundred dollars. This ensures that no residents are excluded due to financial hardships, making the community accessible.
• Stable and Affordable Monthly Fees: Unlike traditional mobile home parks where lot rent can increase at the owner's discretion, in a ROC like Windy Hollow, residents collectively determine the budget and fees. This leads to more stable and often lower monthly housing costs over the long term, providing financial predictability.
• Housing Security and Protection from Sale: The cooperative ownership offers residents unparalleled security against sudden park closures, sales to developers, or significant rent hikes. This peace of mind is a continuous and invaluable "offer."
• Direct Reinvestment in the Community: Instead of profits going to an external landlord, the monthly fees paid by residents are directly reinvested into the park for infrastructure improvements (like the water and sewer upgrades), maintenance, and community enhancements. This directly benefits the residents.
• Potential for Home Value Appreciation: With secure land tenure and community-controlled management, manufactured homes within ROCs often hold and gain value more effectively than homes in investor-owned parks, turning the home into a more robust asset.
• Access to Community Grants: As highlighted by past projects (like the new signs funded by a "Better Together Grants" program from the ROC Association), residents can collectively apply for grants to fund community improvements, a benefit unique to the cooperative structure.

Prospective residents interested in available homes within Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park should consult with local real estate agents specializing in manufactured homes in the Castleton area. They can provide current listings, specific details on monthly fees, and the advantages of joining this resident-owned community.

If you're interested in learning more about Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park in Castleton, or wish to inquire about available homes within this resident-owned cooperative, here's how you can get in touch:

Address: 637 River St, Castleton, VT 05735, USA

Phone: (802) 265-3021

This phone number will likely connect you with the cooperative's management or a representative who can provide information on current availability, the membership process, and direct you to any homes for sale within the park. You may also find information through ROC USA, as Windy Hollow is part of their network.

For us Vermonters, Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park in Castleton represents an incredibly suitable and forward-thinking housing option, especially for those prioritizing affordability, stability, and genuine community. Its defining characteristic as a resident-owned cooperative (ROC) truly sets it apart. This model directly addresses many of the housing challenges faced in our state, offering a tangible solution for secure and accessible homeownership.

The ability for residents to collectively own and manage their park means unparalleled long-term housing security. You're not subject to the uncertainties of landlord-driven decisions or potential sales; instead, you have a direct say in your living environment and its future. This translates into more stable monthly costs and the peace of mind that your home and community are protected. Beyond the financial benefits, the ROC model fosters a strong, supportive community where neighbors are truly invested in each other's well-being and the park's success. Living here means being part of a collective effort to create and maintain a high-quality, friendly neighborhood. Coupled with its peaceful Castleton location, offering easy access to both natural beauty and local amenities, Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park provides an ideal balance for any Vermonter seeking a stable, affordable, and community-rich place to call home.

Windy Hollow Mobile Home Park

637 River St, Castleton, VT 05735, USA