TOWN & COUNTRY
JULY 2018
Happy Wanderers Discovering Valley View Lifestyle by Ann Marie Ludlow
By the time you finish reading
this page, nearly 50 baby boomers will have reached retirement age. Some of them will decide to downsize their home, invest in an RV and live the kind of lifestyle they've been dreaming about for a couple of decades. Thousands of happy wanderers like these have discovered Central Texas is a great stopping place in the center of the mixing bowl of I-35, I-10 and I-20. Since March of this year, the quiet neighborhood at Jarrell's Valley View RV Park has been a popular spot for those en route from coast to coast and country to country. Situated atop a Central Texas high point and overlooking Glasscock Valley, Valley View RV Park has 98 spaces complete with state-ofthe-art hookups for vacationers and homesteaders alike. But it's not just a stop on a traveling trek. Owners Jeff and Kimberly Stockton have created a comfortable and welcoming place where people can enjoy nature, take day trips to the city, or watch a meteor shower from their own patio, all for about what you spend on your car payment plus expenses. "Our park is great for so many things in addition to travel," Jeff says. "Folks can live here in the park while their home is being renovated. We have some who winter here or live here while they are in rehab at a local hospital or even performing for a run at the Palace Theater in Georgetown." "It is also great for business owners," Kimberly adds. "Groups who are overseeing construction projects can house workers here short-term without the expense or worry of a house or apartment. We have also had a few college students here to save on rent money." Many of Valley View's customers are baby boomers who want the freedom to move across the country easily and at low cost. But they do have younger campers who work remotely.
With reduced living expenses, and high-speed Internet, guests can afford the freedom of the road without getting out of balance with a job. "What we have here is a quiet place to lay your head, have a little personal space and enjoy experiences rather than things. It used to be that folks in transition had no affordable options, but now you can live here for a month while your home is being built or waiting on a new home to close for less than $500 a month. It's a great way to be 'in-between'." Jeff also explains that RVs are great investments. "It's like having a good horse. If you take good care of it, you can get your money out of it when you’re done. When you rent an apartment, your money is gone. Today's motor coaches are outfitted like apartments anyway and they hardly look like vehicles from the inside." Valley View is also a great place to try out your 'investment' when you make the purchase. "What better way to try out your new vehicle," Kimberly says. "Come here for the weekend to learn about your RV, how it works, and make sure everything is in working order. Better here than when you're 600 miles away on the road." Valley View RV Park is on the I-35 service road in Jarrell and offers spaces daily to monthly. The Stocktons are very pleased with the growth of their shade trees, the support from Jarrell police officers who check on the property on a regular basis, their state-of-the-art surveillance system and the friendly visitors who keep things clean and look out for each other. "Our location gives people access to everything Austin-to-Wa-
co has to offer," Jeff says. "We are happy to offer a quiet place for people in transition or on their bucket list vacations. We work hard and we're transparent about our rules and expectations because we want this to be a safe and happy place where folks know what to expect and we will deliver with consistency." Valley View is the optimum destination for couples on travel, and those who want to live a cheaper lifestyle where everywhere is your backyard. Amenities are included; guests pay for the lot and electricity. Although open only since March, they are getting great reviews and referrals on a regu-
lar basis. Among the five-stars, Brandon R. says, "Valley View RV park is an amazing place to stay! Facilities are top notch, and sparkling clean. Everyone is very friendly and courteous. I like this place so much, I am still staying here. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely return. If anyone is looking for a GREAT RV park in the Northern Georgetown/Austin region, this is the place to stay. Safe travels RVers." Visit them at VVRVpark. com for information and rates. Each space has its own patio and access to laundry, tile showers, high-speed Internet and egress directly onto I-35.
TEXAS HOSPITALITY, LOCALLY-OWNED, FAMILY-OPERATED 13483 N I- 35, Jarrell, Texas • (512) 887-9168 Open Mon-Sat 9:00 am-6:00 pm • Sun 1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Large RV camping sites with full hook-ups • Rigs up to 45 feet Quality facilities • Most sites have parking for two vehicles On-site laundry facility • Private shower & restroom facilities 50/30/20 amp electric • Water, trash, and sewer Onsite management • Leashed pets welcome up to 35lbs
Jeff (right) with Valley View's first customer from KBD Group in Dallas, March 9.