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Hi. Since we have done all this in the past two years for our daughter and her family (and they are city folks, too), perhaps our experiences will be of some assistance.
Available funds to relocate them down to the family farm were limited so we set a budget of absolute maximum of $50,000. We looked and found an incredible large double wide that only needed some minor repairs for $35,000 (repo) and then set about getting as much as possible included in the package price for that money. The unit has four bedrooms, front room, dining room, huge kitchen and family room, laundry room, office and three bathrooms w/central air. It is all electric.
Some of the types of things that needed fixed or replaced were: some carpeting; all of the screen doors; back door (total replacement); and some wallboard where someone had put a huge gaping hole.
We installed a concrete pad ourselves and the company was responsible for moving the two halves, and tieing down. Husband and brother in law then further anchored by installing a block foundation because we live in tornado alley. Also a year after they moved in, we were able to pour a sidewalk for them and also add a wrap around deck. There is no way anyone could tell now this unit was a moved-in trailer! We spent the entire $50,000 but when the appraiser came around, he valued the entire property in excess of $85,000.
Now, to your specific questions:
1. We use propane in our brick home, and have to do a pre-buy of about 400 gallons per winter season. Most rural folks use propane companys that offer a pre-buy, which means that when the current pre-buy price is announced in late spring, you have until a specified date ~ our is July 31st ~ to pay for the pre-buy in increments. We purchased 400 to 500 gallons each pre-buy. Five years ago, we were paying $.89.9 per gallon, and this season, we are paying $1.39.9. Pretty major expense but then it's a given each year and once paid, you can forget about it.
My daughter's all-electric is costing her about $300 a month in the severely cold and severely hot months, but falls quickly to about $125 a month in the more moderate months. That is without a doubt her largest expense and since we are part of a rural cooperative electric company, they don't have a level bill plan.
2. Taxs: Her assessed valuation (because her home is on a concrete block foundation and therefore a permanent fixture to the land) is now treated by the county as real estate. It can't be moved, therefore it is not considered a mobil home any longer. It's permanent real estate. Taxes for her run about $230 a year.
3. Torandoes: We do live in tornado alley and it is a part of life down here. They take no chances and have a root cellar they have turned into a storm cellar within yards of the back door off the deck. The cellar was originally built by my husband's long deceased father, and it is as sound today as when he built it. Not sure if I have the terminology correct for these but shelter in the root cellar is based on whether it is a warning or a watch. If the storm is imminent and is coming this way, they head for the cellar; if the storm means conditions are right for a possible storm, they prep the middle bathroom on the interior walls of the house with extra mattresses, blankets, etc. The cellar is permanently outfitted with benches, lanterns, etc., and even dog kennels.
4. Take extra care and funding to insure your pipes under the trailer are well wrapped and insulated. We triple insulated all her pipes and only once has she had a problem. Easy enough to take care of because there is a concrete pad down there ~ my husband just reclined on his creeper and away he went.
I hope your move to the country is successful and brings you great joy. It certainly has us! And be forwarned it is contagious. We moved down to a portion of the family farm in 200, my son and his family relocated in 2001, and my daughter and fher amily thereafter. I count it an incredible blessing to have that much of our family that close ~ our children are our neighbors! One lives 50 yards north of us and the other 200 yards south of us.
Sandie
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