house hunting

[CrumbSnatcher]

http://maine.craigslist.org/reb/4663907913.html
looking for a house for sale and ran across this one, it sounded familar, anyone ever heard of it?

[CrumbSnatcher]

http://appalachiantrail.com/20140912...edium=facebook
facebook a few minutes ago

[Lone Wolf]

oh god. i would never own a hiker place.

[Kaptain Kangaroo]

http://appalachiantrail.com/20140912...edium=facebook
facebook a few minutes ago

".....Monson would be a great place to avoid food riots and the ensuing murderous madness when our society finally tanks.
No one’s going to loot the local Walmart — because there isn’t one! Problem solved ! "

Funny stuff !

[CrumbSnatcher]

oh god. i would never own a hiker place.

i just came across the thread when i was looking for houses, hell no i wouldn't buy a hostel, when we thru hiked i would choose a motel for me and my dog anytime i could over a hostel! hikers smell and some thought it was a game to not bathe or clean up a little even when they had a chance too

[Coffee]

I wouldn't want to run a hostel either even though I stay at hostels when I can. But it does seem like you get a lot of house for the asking price plus an established business. Could be a good opportunity for the right person.

[Traveler]

i just came across the thread when i was looking for houses, hell no i wouldn't buy a hostel, when we thru hiked i would choose a motel for me and my dog anytime i could over a hostel! hikers smell and some thought it was a game to not bathe or clean up a little even when they had a chance too

"Hell is other people" Sartre

[12TH Man]

Me thinks someone is color blind.

[rocketsocks]

".....Monson would be a great place to avoid food riots and the ensuing murderous madness when our society finally tanks.
No one’s going to loot the local Walmart — because there isn’t one! Problem solved ! "

Funny stuff !

yep, apparently the author is a edgy provocative reviewer/writer.

[rocketsocks]

yep, apparently the author is a edgy provocative reviewer/writer.

About Robert Sutherland

Robert Sutherland is a travel writer enjoying life in Gainesville, GA. Robert has two adult daughters, six grandchildren, one Kawasaki and a loving girlfriend. ~~ To contact Robert about freelance writing gigs, please use this e-mail address: [email][email protected].View all posts by Robert Sutherland →

[slbirdnerd]

I'd buy it if I could make a living doing it. Been sitting at a desk way too long.

[peakbagger]

I'd buy it if I could make a living doing it. Been sitting at a desk way too long.

I think you hit the problem, I dont think anyone can make a living doing it. If they start to break even I expect another place will open up to split what little profits there is

[Trainguy]

Here's another "opportunity" in Caratunk, ME.

https://maine.craigslist.org/reb/4661142947.html


Back in the late 70's early 80's my niece and her hubby lived there. Looking at the pictures it sure looks a lot different. Back then cooking was done on an old wood stove, her hubby was "remodeling" parts of the house. I think, at that time, the AT actually used Pleasant Pond Road as part of the AT? I recall seeing an occasional hiker back then.

This place is about a one minute walk from the post office there. Competition, if one wanted to open a hostel, I think would be the Sterling Inn and Northern Outdoors (or whatever it is called these days). Hiking, snowmobiling, fishing, horseback riding, peace and quiet...what more could one want?

[Lone Wolf]

I think you hit the problem, I dont think anyone can make a living doing it. If they start to break even I expect another place will open up to split what little profits there is

Keith Shaw made a damn good living off it. especially with shuttles

[Coffee]

I'd buy it if I could make a living doing it. Been sitting at a desk way too long.

I think that hybrid B&B/Hostels might have a better shot of providing a reasonable income.

The math seems pretty tough for hostels unless they operate at large scale and have reasonable occupancy outside the peak months. The math gets difficult for smaller hostels. For example, lets say you have a 10 bed hostel and charge $25/night and offer other services (shuttles, laundry, breakfast) that, on average, yield an additional $10/night per guest (an average since some will want nothing other than a bed). Your maximum revenue is $350/night at full occupancy or $10,500/month. If the hostel is 100% occupied for two months of the year (peak thru hiker season), 50% occupied for another 4 months, and 25% occupied the other six months, your annual revenue is less than $58,000 for the year. And obviously there are hard cash costs involved in running the hostel not to mention your labor and, if you are residing at the same place, the reduction of privacy and the need to always be "on call" if problems arise. I think that it is a tough way to make a living and many hostel owners are at least partially motivated by enthusiasm for the trail, wanting to provide a valuable service, and wanting to be around hikers to hear their stories, etc.

I'm glad the hostels are available and that the owners are willing to provide such a service at affordable prices.

[Okie Dokie]

Keith Shaw made a damn good living off it. especially with shuttles

On my thru in 1991 I helped Keith feed his cows and we took a drink or two from a bottle of sour mash he kept out in the barn...after we'd loosened up a bit we threw horseshoes for an hour or so and he skinned me for $10.00--the man could throw shoes and I just thought I could...we talked a little about this and that and I mentioned that he seemed to be leading a fine life, and appeared to be happy with it...he volunteered that he liked it just fine, give or take a bad hiker or two, and that he cleared about $70,000.00 a year...

[slbirdnerd]

I like the positive anecdotes rather than all the nay-saying. Maybe an illustration of the difference between potential success and failure. I have enjoyed my hostel stays very much and maybe, someday when I don't have a 12 year old at home, explore something like that. I have a marketing and real estate background, and it would be fun to come up with ways to keep the place busy in the off season.

[Coffee]

I think that the key is to somehow increase the average revenue per guest, whether that involves having some private rooms running as a B&B or offering additional services to hikers using the hostel, coupled with increasing occupancy in the off season.

[Lone Wolf]

and no work for stays

[Traveler]

I like the positive anecdotes rather than all the nay-saying. Maybe an illustration of the difference between potential success and failure. I have enjoyed my hostel stays very much and maybe, someday when I don't have a 12 year old at home, explore something like that. I have a marketing and real estate background, and it would be fun to come up with ways to keep the place busy in the off season.

If the income from a B&B or Hostel is supplemental, that makes some financial sense. If it will be used as primary income a quick look at the national stats for these endeavors may be in order. Theres not a lot of money in them overall, but a lot of joy if they are a sideline.