Who here would consider life in an RV?

[angstlessk]

We were looking for houses in Florida (we currently live in Detroit) with our limited cash, but discovered we could purchase a RV and a truck for the price of a home...

We are considering that lifestyle instead of buying another home...who here would do that?

[lapfog_1]

1. it's my retirement plan

I want to get a nice one, used... and convert the basement to a supercomputer (small one) that is solar powered... and then go from high school to high school with the latest climate data and models... and teach kids about global climate change... or cancer research or similar.

[angstlessk]

7. WOW,,,you are ambitious...I just want to travel!

I hope you get your dream even before mine...since yours is a better plan.

[Mendocino]

160. Basement in a RV?

[lapfog_1]

163. yup

that's what the under carriage storage area is called.

Some RVs even have cooling for the basement (which I will need).

[Mendocino]

166. I did not know that.

When I was growing up, we had a Avion travel trailer. We just called those spaces storage.

[Glassunion]

173. I'd put a seat in the middle of the basement super computer area.

Like a mini command center...

[lapfog_1]

174. no room

I used to build supercomputer systems for NASA, I am hoping to get the biggest compute and storage system that I can fit.

[Glassunion]

175. Well, with modern systems and ssd storage, you can pack a lot in there.

The nice thing about going 100% solid state, is there is not a lot of electrical draw, and much less heat.

When we converted on of our solutions from rack-mount servers, to fanless solid state systems, we reduced our draw from 880W to 60W per server, and no longer required a cooling system. On the upside, we get the same storage, and a slightly faster set of processors.

[jberryhill]

2. I consider the planet to be an RV

[alphafemale]

3. Hook up fees are pretty pricey.

Be sure to look into that. There are places where you can park cheaper or limited even free and rely on a generator but you are still going to have to get water and dump the sewage. And water pressure is not very good on internal water tanks.

Warm climate not FL might be a better bet.

[angstlessk]

20. Thanks...One Question

can I have internet hookup all the time?

[alphafemale]

28. I have an Internet hotspot on my phone for an extra $10 but I am limited on gigs.

It is available but can be pricey if you want to do things like stream movies.

[angstlessk]

52. My ex husbands ex girlfriend with whom we will travel

does NOTHING except watch streaming movies and drink Cocoa Cola...our greatest expense!

But she is my friend too, so who am I to say?

[alphafemale]

75. You can get up to unlimited streaming

But it will cost you.

[handmade34]

31. hotspot on an iPhone

[Binkie The Clown]

4. I tried it for a while.

A lot of people love it. Me, not so much. I thought I would enjoy it, but in the end I prefer being "home" and connected to family, friends and neighbors.

[angstlessk]

5. I have no family friends or neighbors

being alone is my favorite place to be

[Binkie The Clown]

9. It may be right for you then.

A lot of the people I met on the road were also unattached, or were traveling as a pair.
Another factor is age. At 70 it just got to be more work that I cared to put up with.

[elias49]

11. But you said "we" in your post

'Alone' with a partner?

[angstlessk]

12. Well, I do have a sig other and his ex girlfriend

she will probably want to be dropped off...which is fine, though I do like her, and hope she is in for the adventure.

HE on the other hand...is a hoarder, and not much room in an RV! She and I may need to stop at garbage bins often to discard either him or his accumulation

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. people who do it vlog about the pros and cons in youtube. lots of "RV life" videos there.

[angstlessk]

8. I have watched a few

both pro and con..if it was just me I would go whole hog, but I have a friend and a SO to see how they adapt.

[Cleita]

10. We traveled and lived in one for fifteen years until we couldn't

anymore due to my late husband's health. The problem is that it's an investment that depreciates unlike property. Also, parking it isn't all that cheap either. You just can't park on the side of the road or an empty parking lot and most rest spots won't let you stay more than 4 hours. Think about it very carefully. We actually did a lot of tent camping and talked to people in RVs to ask them about their experiences. Also, gas wasn't as expensive back when we did it too. A rig sucks up a lot of petrol.

But it is a lot of fun if you don't mind being in a cramped space.

[angstlessk]

15. WOW you were brave!

A vagabond before being a vagabond was popular!...

We had a home with a 5 then 10 year balloon...we were victims of fraud really

When the balloon came due, even our credit company knew nothing, but we had to get out...now we are VERY leery of purchasing a home with a mortgage...and one way to get out is paying cash for a motor home.

[BlueJazz]

13. My advice is Learn your vehicle. Know how to change tires. Know HOW everything works.

If the engine is hard to start, you should know what to check. It's truly not that hard to learn. The cost of repairs can be outrageous.

[angstlessk]

17. Yes...learn how to live

all over again...great advice!

[1939]

14. Sail boats

Lots of people here in Florida live on their sail boats most of which just molder at anchor or at a dock until destroyed by a hurricane or the guy dies.

[angstlessk]

16. I can swim. but not

in a hurricane!

[1939]

108. They usually get off and find safe haven

But the boat is destroyed and they have to find other living arrangements. The three hurricanes of 2004 wiped the slate clean of a lot of old live aboard boats.

[JanMichael]

18. Maybe in the Urban Assault Vehicle aka GMC RV?

It has a monster Olds engine sleeps 4 or 6 and drives like a regular van and can smoke its tires.

Fing A.

[angstlessk]

21. Do you have a link to one for sale?

We are looking to buy

[JanMichael]

23. they are awesome

http://www.rvtrader.com/GMC-RVs-and-Motorhomes-For-Sale----RV-Trader/search-results?sort=geo_distance%3Aasc&layoutView=listView&make=GMC%7C2264212&

[elias49]

19. No no no no no!!

I could never do it. Too attached to my home of 40 years.

[angstlessk]

26. I know the feeling

I was attached to my home...I lived there for 13 years...5 + 10 balloon...I had a cat years before that never warmed up cause we moved so often...till we lived there about 5 years, then she never left my side.

I am glad she died there, cause if we had to move it would have killed her.

I want two little doggies who love traveling to join us.

[Waldorf]

22. Not me. I like my home with all the space. I'd like to have one to travel in the surrounding States

but not to live in one. I'm sure for some people its great.

[gratuitous]

24. When I hit the lottery

I want to buy a railroad passenger car.

[JanMichael]

25. those are the shit! incredible way the travel. nt

[tavernier]

27. I live in a 46 ft. RV in the Florida Keys.

It has a slider and is very roomy.

Prior to this we lived on a 46 ft. boat, a motor yacht, for 15 years, but my husband can no longer keep up with the maintenance.

Both are perfectly acceptable and lovely with all the comforts of home.

[angstlessk]

37. You, my dear are who I wished to be years before

I even knew I wished to be!

[SammyWinstonJack]

114. I live in a 34ft. Class A. Would love to live in the Florida Keys,

at least for a while, but the parks are pricey.

[tavernier]

117. We belong to the Elks; they have a pretty good rate for members

State park rates are good as well but hard to get a spot during season.

Also, our kids have a home with a large yard and hook up for us if required.

[Initech]

29. I've seen RVs that are nicer than some of my friends' apartments.

[grasswire]

30. Sure!

But Florida? Be careful of low lying areas.

[angstlessk]

34. Like Miami?

Have no desire to visit there

[Whiskeytide]

49. And Florida man. n/t.

[grasswire]

51. and alligators. nt

[angstlessk]

32. SERIOUS QUESTION REGARDING CLASS A RV'S

Do I need a special driver's license to drive a Class A RV? Or a 5th Wheeler?

[tavernier]

39. No.

[Mnemosyne]

53. No. My friend has a huge rv, no special class required on her license. Wish it was

required, she is one bad driver.

[angstlessk]

67. I am SUCH a careful driver

When white knuckling is required, you ain't seen whiter knuckles!

I do prefer a relaxed drive...like down south!

[Mnemosyne]

73. Just make sure to practice and get the feel before attempting to head on down the road,

those Class A's are so big.

I hope you find something you love!

[angstlessk]

77. I drove a 24' truck with a truck hooked up behind from VA

to Detroit...admit it took 4 days...one day I refused to drive because of heavy summer rain...

I white knuckled it through Pennsylvania...those roads were horrendous!

We made it without one broken item and four animals!

But I agree...those Class A vehicles are ANIMALS!

[Mnemosyne]

119. The roads here are definitely horrendous. Funny we pay the hightest, iirc, gas tax for roads.

Sounds as if you have a bit of experience so you know what to expect. Still they big beasts!

Good luck in your quest. I may be following suit soon, but to a Class B or B+. A bathroom and a good bed are really all I need these days. lol

[Mnemosyne]

120. Relaxed drives are the best. I used to do Sunday afternoon back road rides, now you get tail-gated

even on a dirt road! Everyone in such a damn big hurry...

[angstlessk]

139. Yes, in VA there are many back roads

but you have to leave the coast to get there!

[Mnemosyne]

147. Do those roads have many tail-gaters? Love the mountains of Va. Had a tractor trailer haul me

backwards up a road that was soo steep and icy that my car, and a small uhaul trailer I was hauling, almost slid right over a ravine. That trucker was my hero!

[angstlessk]

169. Truckers ARE Heros

My car broke down between FL and VA and a trucker gave me a ride and hooked me up with someone who could get my car back on the road...

He was a Saint!

My back roads was more into farming country, or at least what used to be farming country...developers are spreading out from the coast.

[FLPanhandle]

33. I'll be retiring onto a sailboat

In many areas Florida, it's a better choice than an RV.

Plus, sailing on the weekends is much more fun than driving an RV on Florida highways.

[angstlessk]

35. Honey, If I put up a sail, I would probably

end up in an RV park

[longship]

41. It could be worse. I'd end up on Mars, or Venus.

[angstlessk]

45. I'm a chick ...worse is Mars

or maybe...not?

[longship]

54. Well, on Mars, you'd freeze; on Venus, you'd melt.

Either place you'd suffocate.
You choose.

My best to you.

[angstlessk]

69. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus

guess who is to do what

[longship]

71. Well played. ;-)

[FLPanhandle]

60. A few sailing class with a cute instructor and you'll be fine.

Besides, we sailors drink more than we sail anyway.

[angstlessk]

84. I bet YOU are the cute instructor

if not can you introduce me?

[FreakinDJ]

36. They are temporary - 10 yrs at best

and yes I own a 5th wheel RV and the truck to pull it

Except I bought mine when the economy tanked and I had to travel to keep working. So most of the cost was written off on my taxes.

[angstlessk]

40. The RV lasts longer than the truck

I want a cheap truck and a good RV...

[FreakinDJ]

47. Some parks won't allow RVs more then 10 yrs old for a reason

[SusanCalvin]

38. Not unless

It had a bathroom equivalent to one in a regular house.

[angstlessk]

43. Trust me...there are worse bathrooms (see Flint)

Not sure where to get potable water, but trust me it ain't gonna be Flint MI

[SusanCalvin]

46. I know that, and

I know it's a first world problem. Nevertheless, I simply answered the question asked.

ETA: If a question is a setup for a political statement, you might want to consider making that clear.....

[angstlessk]

56. Susan, it was not a set up

Here in Detroit we too are buying bottled water just out of fear.

I want to get out not only of Detroit, but Michigan..this state, and the entire mid west seems to be turning into, maybe the upper mid south?

[SusanCalvin]

58. Well, my "bathroom" answer was an honest answer.

I know people have it worse, but I would not voluntarily live with the RV bathrooms I have seen on a permanent basis. As an alternative to worse, of course I would if I had to.

I wish you the best in getting out.

[angstlessk]

70. Thanks

Not sure if voluntary fits...Detroit is not a friendly place, and getting out is just between a house in Florida (Miami is already flooding) and a Travel Trailer

[LiberalAndProud]

42. Good when gas prices are low.

I have a cousin who realized that retirement dream with her husband. Pump prices curtailed travel, but they managed to pick up hosting jobs at the various RV parks. They also had to replace their RV about two years in. A home will often appreciate in value. The RV does not.

Having watched their experience, I wouldn't do it. But they did have fun.

[angstlessk]

44. I have an independent job

independent that is of where I am....plus I have social security...I am good to go, if only I can find my go to outfit

[LiberalAndProud]

50. I would never tell someone not to do it.

They invested in a satellite dish for internet access. I believe they're still living in their RV somewhere in the US. They license it in SD (hint?) I think they've been happy with their choice and they've been doing it for many years now. They have established semi-permanent summer and winter sites and I think they're content.

They don't have a truck, but a jeep. Which is the same thing only different.

[angstlessk]

57. Yes, something you pull behind, as opposed as pulling...but still if the big guy goes...mega bucks

I want to pull...cheaper to replace the puller.

[laundry_queen]

48. I would consider it

I did it for 6 months with a husband and 3 small kids while we waited for our house to be built. It was very stressful, but I can see with only 2 people it would be a lot less stressful (We were in a cold climate, the water froze up the same day the kids all came out with chicken pox...fun times. Eventually we had to move to an apartment until our house was done - 8 months past the promised 'latest' date).

I enjoy camping in general, so I chopped wood and cooked outdoors every day until it snowed. We had hook up for a decent price ($40/month for power and sewer, almost 11 years ago) we only had to pay for propane for heating once it got cold so that was pricey, but I don't remember how much. I didn't mind being cramped too much - the only thing that bothered me is we had a 5th wheel so I didn't like that I had to duck to get into bed. If I had a trailer or a motorhome it would've been better. Or the newer 5th wheels have a higher bedroom ceiling. Oh, and with all the kids and their laundry the multiple trips to the laundromat wasn't fun either. Again, something that probably wouldn't be so annoying without kids.

The worst part was no internet. So many trips to the library to get my DU fix, LOLOL (wow, nearly 11 years ago)

That said, as someone mentioned up thread - it's not an investment as a home would be. If the RV is the same price as the house, I would go with the house. The RV will go down in value while generally a house won't....and an RV will deteriorate much faster than a house would.

But if I had someone to travel with, and was in decent health and had enough money to enjoy the sights...I'd definitely consider it.

[angstlessk]

61. I doubt if I will outlive an RV

I had my mother gift my son my inheritance so he could buy a house for he and his children (my grandkids)

He has since become something very different than I. I do not want to influence his children (my grandkids) against his teachings.

I had to leave, so I can RV without guilt

[tazkcmo]

55. Me

It's how I'm retiring. I'll never own a home so I'm converting a cargo van into a an RV complete with solar panels. Follow the seasons across the US. Just me and one or two dogs. Can't wait.

[angstlessk]

62. I do hope I do this...and we can meet up

on some sunny road!

[tazkcmo]

66. I'll have my innernet machine

I'll be DUing in the NW in the summer and the south in the winter while spring and summer are wide open! Who knows? Spring time in Paris, TX? lol

[angstlessk]

88. I love it

I do hope to catch up with RVers and DUers when I begin traveling!

[Wolverine23]

59. maybe

I'm seriously considering doing this for retirement. Can live very cheaply on the road. The only drawback is lack of community. Hard to make friends when you're traveling all over the place. Unless you're going for "urban stealth camping".

[angstlessk]

63. From what I have heard...you cannot meet friendlier folk

They too want to meet friends

[2naSalit]

64. I've considered it

and would do it for a number of reasons. I know quite a few retired people who live in their RVs full time. If you can afford the other stuff like lot fees and hookups. But remember, many repairs are costly and tires are really expensive - $300 - 600 a piece depending and fuel is a major purchase too.

But then you can find RVs that are not all that pricey too.

[angstlessk]

80. You pay for upkeep even if you rent

I don't think it's for everyone...not even sure if it's for me...

My first wish was to become a nun, so I think I can do this...though I no longer wish to become a nun...I think I can still meditate.

[2naSalit]

89. If you are

accustomed to being a solo flyer - as I like to call it - you might like it. But do be aware that life on the road can be pretty dangerous. I used to drive semis for a living, for 15+ years, I wouldn't even consider it anymore and I have a bit of edginess attending my long drives these days, and I only travel back and forth between the two communities I've lived in for the past 26 years! And I know every mile very well and have friends in several of the communities in between but the thought of breaking down in between points A and B is nerve-wracking now.

But if you know where you want to be and that is the way to get there, it can't be the worst decision you could make.

[angstlessk]

123. I recall driving from FL to VA when I was about 20 and my car broke down at night time

A trucker stopped and gave me a lift to a truck stop to get my car fixed...he was the kindest person I ever met! Bet he had a girl child about my age...he seemed very protective.

[2naSalit]

125. Back in

the old days, pre 1990s, most truckers were pretty cool and would help people like that. Not so much anymore and I'd be really careful about them now. I have stories of how I have been helped by truckers and having helped people myself but the road is a very different beast these days.

[angstlessk]

135. I still would trust a trucker before some pretty boy in a car! n/t

[2naSalit]

136. Well, you do have to assess

each event individually to be fair. I'm sure there are still some good people out there.

[dembotoz]

65. i own an older travel trailer at a season campground

replacement parts are rather pricey.

when the small trailer fridge died, replacement was more than the damn thing is worth so i now have a dorm fridge that works good enuf.

also had the unpleasant experience last summer of one of the migrant senior workers who was a seasonal employee stroked out and died.
the campground handled it well...employees there are like family...poorly paid family as we hear, but family. But there was considerable confusion as to what to do with the body, rv, etc.

not sure i would want to go that way

[angstlessk]

72. If I die in my RV I have a plan

BURN my body to a crisp...be it a funeral home or on a pyre...long as I am burned!

[LynnTTT]

68. Think about it

Your truck and RV will depreciate rapidly and have no value at all in 15 years. That will almost certainly not happen with a house.
And it's not cheap to rent a space in many parts of the country. Especially where there are good paying jobs. Right now we are in Florida, where camping "resorts" can be very pricey in winter. Would you believe a camp site in Miami, rented by the month is almost $2,000? For water, electric and sewer connections? NOT cheaper than a mortgage!
This is an exception, but essentially you are still paying rent.

[angstlessk]

74. Hell water in Miami should be free...it's all around

I would NEVER camp in Miami...

Hell I am sure the depreciation will be equal to the number of years I have left to live.

I ain't giving nothing I have (I have nothing) to anyone...why would I care if. when I am 100, my mobile home is only worth $50.00?

[Saphire]

76. Hubby and I are in the process of selling off

everything we own to move into a small rv. An amazing life change, but one I'm excited about, we'll be traveling around the country, working occasionally.

[angstlessk]

78. Best to you both...maybe we can hook up sometime

I am isolated in this house...I hope to meet people as we travel!

[bklyncowgirl]

132. We are in the same position.

We hope to close on the house in a few weeks & hit the road.

[lumberjack_jeff]

79. Today? Eff yeah.

Usually, I'd say no... but I've had better days.

[angstlessk]

81. Why do I feel like someone with an AK47 just entered the room? n/t

[lumberjack_jeff]

82. Squirtgun.

[angstlessk]

85. Oh...that sounds

almost sexy

or childish

[Freelancer]

83. Get an old Airstream -- '69 to '75 ish -- and redo it inside. They never go out of style

That's what I did. I took out all the old fixtures -- all modern stuff now. Although, once I got into it, most of that wasn't really necessary, except for cosmetic value.

[angstlessk]

86. I want a move in ready

since it mostly costs as much or more to renovate?

[Freelancer]

91. I got my Overlander for $2500. I redid the interior for about $1500 + my own sweat

There are plenty of more modern Airstreams out there that are ready to walk into. Many even have extensions that expand outward. They can be pricey, but the resale value for an Airstream is really good.

[angstlessk]

101. My first foray into RVing was in an old Airstream

It was not old then, but I am now. It was the most fun I had on 6 wheels EVER!

Our light was from a Coleman camp light...pancakes never tasted so good! And the occasional fish we caught even better!

I look forward...so forward!

[padfun]

87. Lots of Indian Casino's have RV parking for a reasonable price

They expect you to spend money at the Casino, but you don't have to. If you need a place to park for a week or two, keep those in mind.

And yes, it was a dream of mine years ago. Not sure I will ever live that dream now.

[angstlessk]

90. I wish you can do your dream

It was never my dream...but given all the alternatives it seems the most practical now.

Maybe some DUer would like a companion?

[angstlessk]

93. Who here would like a new forum? RV'ing?

We would need a moderator and many folk who would want the room.

But it would be a way for folks traveling to keep up with other travelers.

[Buns_of_Fire]

96. I'm in! nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

115. I would!

[mountain grammy]

92. That was our retirement plan, but my husband's not ready.

I'm giving him one more year, then off I go. We travel with our camper in the summer and love it, but I want to follow the sun full time.

[TwilightGardener]

94. I would--for maybe a year or so. I don't know how long

I'd like to go without a building and my stuff. I have a small travel trailer that we enjoy for camping, and I think it would be fun to full time it for a while, but we're about ten years away for that--probably would want a bigger RV, tho.

[Buns_of_Fire]

95. I've got a 20' class C that I've been outfitting to do just that.

What I've learned in the process:

* You REALLY have to downsize. Be ruthless. If it isn't functional, it's gone.

* Weight is always a factor. Everything you put in there effects your gas mileage. (Mine has a V-10 engine, so I pay attention to these things.)

* Many parks these days include WiFi.

* Wear gloves when dumping the black water tank. (Trust me on this.)

* If you're 62 or over, you can get a senior's pass that's good for 50% off site fees at many national parks and BLM-controlled lands. Bundys not included.

* It's just me, so there's no one but me to please. If you have a SO, prepare to be VERY close.

* Unlike me, learn to drive one (it really isn't hard) BEFORE you buy it. And to the nice people in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia who I probably ran off the road while getting it back home, please accept my apologies.

[angstlessk]

97. I, of course, love the class a, but

Either a 5th wheel or a RV cause trucks can be fixed/replaced...not so easily a class a whatever goes out...

And my funds are limited also.


Sig Other thinks a 'toy' trailer will haul all his 'stuff'...his stuff is a 1500 sf house filled to the gills!

May need to leave him behind with his 'stuff'?

[Buns_of_Fire]

100. Ah! A packrat!

SO sounds a lot like me. I found that I tend to expand to fill whatever space is available. It's tough to leave behind all the things that give you comfort. Maybe a storage locker is an option?

You're right about that with a Class A, Class C, or (to a lesser extent) a Class B, all your eggs are in one basket -- for better or worse. If I wasn't such a wimp about towing anything, I probably would have gone with a truck/3rd wheel combo. But, for better or worse, Catalina (what I named her) and I are joined together until transmission failure do us part.

[angstlessk]

102. One thing my Sig Other loved about me was empty spaces

which he could fill...and fill he did!

Now I want to jettison it all...even to a storage locker

Maybe that's why I am excited to RV?

[olddots]

98. rent one for a weekend

drive it , park it a few times , sleep in it in a congested area ....check it out . There is little common ground , some people love the RV life some think its torture .Be extremely carefull about who you buy one from and where .

[angstlessk]

124. I agree about whom to purchase it from

I have followed many suggestions here and understand many RV's could have water problems...and that one should spend time on the roof of your RV to insure no leaks!

[begin_within]

99. This very nice young couple is doing just that.

I met them in Goldfield, Nevada last summer.

http://www.henleyshappytrails.com

Their site may give you a lot of insight into it.

[hollysmom]

103. I had an RV that was permanently anchored at a site.

It was at the beach, Sandy took it (not really but the landlord decided selling condos would make him richer), but I would live in it a few months at a time. I always had my home to go back to. I have been considering getting a 1 bedroom apartment up in North Jersey and buying another trailer a bit in from the beach at a lake for the summer and living months in one place or the other. That way I can have both my favorite places. I can't afford another trailer and the house because I am not as full of energy anymore. But my neighbors there lived full time at the beach in their trailer and loved it. They did rent a storage space for some of their things and files.

[Warpy]

104. Check out park fees and hookup fees, they can run into money

but if you want to be a nomad, it's one way to go. I might be more inclined to go the tiny house route, most of the RVs are done up in a way that shrieks "not my style" since I'd need one tailored to the needs of a fiber crafter, I don't fit into the generic RV. The appeal of the RV lifestyle is its mobility, something that can also be its drawback since it's hard to find permanent or even semi permanent parking for one. It can be found, usually in some of the seedier trailer parks in my own town.

Still, there are a lot of retirees following tourist seasons around the country, doing temporary jobs to eke out the Social Security checks. It can be a great way to go if you've always wanted to see the country.

[Lodestar]

105. Do you have a gypsy soul?

I haven't done it...I kind of like having a home base and traveling out from there. But I've heard
that it's important to establish some RV friends that you'll meet up with in a particular place...a community of traveling friends who either plan to meet up in one place or make an effort to cross each others paths while traveling around. They become your 'home base'. It's the people you meet that make it a really good experience, I'm told, and it's grounding to see some familiar faces to be your touch stones.

I once had a summer romance with a guy who lived on a boat. It was lovely for the first couple of weeks...fresh seafood we caught ourselves, beautiful sites to see, docking at port towns along the coast...etc. But then I became really claustrophobic and sick of seafood and the close quarters got to be a point of tension in the relationship, etc.
Thank goodness I had a home on some acreage to return to. Landlubber!

[angstlessk]

126. My sister has always been the one who had a wanderlust

but her idea was far away lands...I love traveling, but only in the USA, and maybe Canada

[aikoaiko]

106. The full-time RV lifestyle isn't for everyone

Let me ask you -- do you like camping? how often do you go? how long are your trips? If the answers are OK, not often, and not long, I would be cautious about the full-time RV choice.

Living in an RV and traveling is like camping in that you always have to be thinking in advance about supplies, accepting being uncomfortable often, and everything is more compact than you would like.

Most of the people I know who do it full-time were kind of forced into it. Most of the people who spend a lot of time in RVs also have houses or townhouses as home bases.

The good news is that there is a really cool RV lifestyle community out there. If you can produce things to trade, you'll be in better shape than if you don't.

Rent one for a month and try it out.

[angstlessk]

128. When I camped I loved camping, but I got too few opportunities

I will never forget the time we were camping and walked up the side of a very steep hill ( I can't call it a mountain) and we saw a cave and my husband said the smell in the cave was a BEAR!

We ran down that hill grabbing tree by tree as fast as we could...if it was a BEAR? Who knows...but the catapulting us down tree by tree was as fun as being afraid!

[Fumesucker]

107. A Travel Trailer is the way to go IMO, lighter than an equivalent 5th wheel, pull it with a van

The full size van will give you storage space and a way to get around when the trailer is parked. Pickups are a pain to get in and out of the back if you are older and don't hold as much as a van. Full size vans are basically the same as a pickup truck as far as suspension and powertrain so they pull a TT just fine.

A good TT will last quite a while since there is no powertrain to deal with. Remodeling one is fairly easy, I did my 30' Alumalite in about three months of weekends. Since it's only me and the dog I put in a small single bed bedroom up front that I could seal for night time heating and cooling and converted original larger rear bedroom into a study/computer room/storage. I rebuilt the built in storage for my own purposes.. My next goal is outfitting for dry camping with solar panels with a battery and inverter setup and a serious upgrade on the insulation which IMO is the weakest point in travel trailers for full time living. I have a good generator but the noise is distracting and I find myself avoiding using it a lot.

There are a number of videos on Youtube telling what to look for in a used camper, water damage is insidious and very common so that's something to check carefully for. Depreciation is steep on campers and a good used one is a much better deal than a new one if you find the right unit.

I'm parked on a long term leased private lot with hookups most of the time, travel around when I get the extra money and the urge. The dry camping upgrade will make it possible for me to go a lot further and stay longer on my limited retirement income. I figure for about four to six months RV lot space rent I can do my upgrade and then be free of the RV parks many of which I don't care for anyway.

[angstlessk]

129. I agree...A TT can last many years if taken care of

but engines have a limit..I like the idea of a hauling van, but expensive...and not sure of the expected lifetime?

[Fumesucker]

144. Modern trucks are long lasting, I'd buy a used van too then start saving for a replacement/repairs

If you aren't in a hurry there are some very good deals available, you just have to be prepared to wait a while and you'll find a cream puff in both categories, van and TT. Fall is a good time to buy a TT because it saves owners who want to get rid of them having to store, spring is a bad time to buy because everyone wants to go on vacation. It's all about supply and demand.

I forget how many trailers I looked at but it was something over a dozen before I found the one that was right for me at the right price. I looked at hundreds and maybe thousands on Craigslist, those were the ones I visited. I just keep an eye on Craigslist now from time to time in case some particularly good deal on a tow vehicle comes up and I'll upgrade and get rid of my current van.

[angstlessk]

180. Great advise

Hubby makes my head spin...from wanting to go on the road to wanting a house he hated just a month ago!!!

He has problems making permanent decisions..so it seems up to me.

[polly7]

109. If I could downsize enough I would definitely consider it,

especially with the added benefit of being able to travel and still have the comforts of home, with no worries about having to get neighbours to check the house and things like that.

[angstlessk]

130. Downsize means letting go of coveted items

That is my fear that my sig other will not be able to do!

[B Calm]

110. My wife's aunt and uncle retired, sold their house and bought a 5th wheel trailer. She

had that trailer loaded with crap. Uncle Jerry tore up two gas guzzling pickups trying to pull that heavy trailer around the country. She got pissed at me when I jokingly said to her that they were trailer trash. They would come here and park in my driveway for two or three weeks at a time. We didn't mind at first, but after a few days it was time for them to move on. We like to go camping 4 or 5 times a year, but there is no damn way I could live in a camper full time!

[angstlessk]

131. Reminds me of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

Unwanted guests who outstay their time

[ileus]

111. By the time I packed all my equipment and tools there'd be no room.

I'd have to keep a house also.

[angstlessk]

133. That is my sig others problem

I am willing to let it all go! Have a fire on the lawn just to jettison it all.

I got NO attachment to anything, unfortunately he does not fee the same!

[SammyWinstonJack]

112. We sold our house in 2013 and bought a Class A motorhome with three slides

to live in full time. We traveled for the first year and then
came to live on our son's property which we use as our home base, here in Tn.

Planning on leaving May 1st to spend 6 months in
NM and CO.

There are youtube channels of full-time rvers, very informative.

[angstlessk]

134. Been watching them

One day it might be you or me?

[meaculpa2011]

113. Our ambition is to become houseless...

but not in an RV. We've lived aboard our boat for weeks at a time, but we always had our home to return to.

What we'd like to do is sell everything and spend 2-3-4 months at a time wherever...

We lived in Peru for awhile and it was great, except for the occasional Shining Path bombings, but that was nearly 30 years ago.

Also had extended stays in Guatemala, Italy and the UK.

The kids are in their 20s now and semi-independent, but my Dad is 94.

My wife's mother died when she was 13 and she was forced to fend for herself. My father's shop went bankrupt when I was fourteen and my sister was born the same year. I had to give up all of my activities (baseball, track, basketball) and get a job to help support the family.

We've both spent the last 50 years being responsible. Now, we would like to embark on a worldwide irresponsibility tour.

I can understand the motivation. Follow your dreams.

[angstlessk]

138. I have no desire to leave the good old USofA

Not to say there are MANY countries worth visiting...but I have only seen a sliver of my own country so far and want to investigate farther.

[meaculpa2011]

143. It's a big, beautiful country...

and you can travel within its borders for a lifetime and not see it all.

I've been very lucky to have had he opportunity to travel on business and visit nearly every state.

I was in the Monument Valley a few years ago and encountered a young couple from Germany on their honeymoon. They were gazing in wonderment at the vista and the new bride said to me, "You know, we don't have anything like this in Europe."

When and if we finally go "houseless" we'll do most of our traveling right here, but it's also great to get out in the world.

[angstlessk]

171. Somehow I became a 'salseman'

I was not very good at selling, but I LOVED driving to different areas..

I lived in Norfolk at the time and had to travel to the Peninsula (Hampton & Newport News)

I used to joke that the reason there was a tunnel and not a bridge was that one could not see the time warp through which you traveled...(back about 30 years or so)

I also stated that Newport News was North and South and left and right...as it was a very long narrow strip of the Peninsula.

[Vinca]

116. I love the idea, but I'd have to have one of the really big ones and I couldn't afford it.

[Mojorabbit]

118. My husband and I planned to do this after retirement.

He passed two years ago. I don't drive so that dream is gone. If you do it post a diary so I can live vicariously through you!

[HuckleB]

121. If you can find great places to stay, go for it.

We're backpacking folk, so it's hard for me to imagine, and you have to go used, or the cost can go to ridiculous extremes. Still, you can explore many parts of the country that way. Just make sure you spend a good deal of time in each before moving on...

[AngryAmish]

122. R/vandwellers

[scscholar]

127. Do a Google search for rv and Seattle

Too many people that live in those things litter and commit crimes.

[angstlessk]

137. "those things" me thinks you have an agenda

Retired folk who RV neither litter nor commit crimes...to whom do you speak?

[Mendocino]

145. Broad brush?

RVers more likely to be a victim of a crime than a perp.

[scscholar]

148. Well, the facts prove me right

http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2016/02/04/police-find-meth-heroin-in-camouflage-painted-motorhome-in-magnolia/

Yet another one today. Last week, the RV in front of where I lived had dozens of bikes inside of it. Do you really think that RV owner just decided to go out and buy dozens of used bikes?

[Mendocino]

149. Anecdotal evidence is not proof

of anything other than a reliance on faulty logic.

[scscholar]

150. So you don't think facts matter?

Got it.

[Mendocino]

154. Faulty logic followed by

more faulty logic.

[B Calm]

155. Snow Birds camp free along side of roads near Tucson, haul their water out to their campers and

drain their grey water out onto the ground.

[Recursion]

140. I'd love it. I think my wife would go crazy

So I'll just build a model RV in the basement.

[angstlessk]

159. Then try to figure out how

"Honey I shrunk the kids" did it, and go there

[seanjoycek476]

141. I tried it for a while, but decided to go back to a regular house after about 6 months

It just didn't feel right to me, for some reason. Plus, there wasn't enough room for my needs. But I know many people here don't have enough money to afford a house, and have to spend much of their lives in such a confined place.

[Major Nikon]

142. Maybe this one, other than it screams out "probable cause"

[Mendocino]

146. Long Live

The Merry Pranksters.

May their spirit roll on.

[angstlessk]

157. Keep it on Colorado!

You may be safe there...and when you traverse to the next "free" state just do a cover up

[valerief]

151. Can either one of you handle it alone in the event one of you isn't there (breakup,

illness, etc.). That's a consideration.

[angstlessk]

158. Yes it is, and I have not thought that one out

It would be free and clear and I hope my retirement will support him...we are three, so hopefully two will survive with income? Till one is left...then what? It even happens in a home, so no different?

[B Calm]

152. I found a 2 bedroom cabin in central Florida that rents for $900.00 per month. I would

give that living in an RV some serious thought before doing it.

[angstlessk]

164. I plan on working on finding out the pros and cons

We bought 25 acres but were never able to build on it...seems (# acres in the US) could satisfy us?

[cannabis_flower]

153. My mom did..

She was saving to buy a house. I think she lived init for about a year and a half.

[angstlessk]

161. I think it's kind of a 'suck in your chest'

and just do it...I will spend about 3 months or so investigating all the pros and cons, and reading as much material as I can find...there is no rush...thank goodness. Not like we are being kicked out...just not enthralled with Detroit...want warmer weather, and...the rest is a very big question

[jwirr]

156. As long as you are living in a warm state I don't think it would be a bad idea,.

[angstlessk]

162. Well there is that new mosquito disease down south

and in California....kinda scary!

[jwirr]

179. Yes, that could be a real problem no matter what you live in.

[OriginalGeek]

165. My 94 year old grandpa has been in the Wally Byam Caravan Club

since before I can remember and I am 52. He and grandma traveled the country in a series of ever lengthening Airstreams until she passed away in 2010.

They took me with them to the International Rally in Brandon, Manitoba the summer before I turned 12. One of the single most fun things I've ever gotten to do.

Spent many many summers traveling with them over the years until I grew up and had to do my own stuff.

A few years ago he sold the Electra and bought an Airstream RV so he could keep going to rallies (it was physically too hard for him to hook up the trailer to his truck but the RV is not much bigger than a large van and drives about the same as his truck). But he's 94 and slowing down. He's thinking of selling the RV but I kinda hope he doesn't as my wife and I would like to go a few places. It's too small for a permanent home though.

But yeah. I would sure consider the RV life. Too many happy times I wouldn't mind recreating with my grandkids.

[angstlessk]

167. Darn, a real adventurer

I loved RV'ing back when I was 20 something...hope to love it again when I am 60 something...the interim years were just living.

My sister likes to travel all over the world, and she did...I just want to travel the US

[OriginalGeek]

170. lol yeah I feel ya

I sure would like to visit a few places outside the US (Scotland/Ireland/England being at the top of my list) but I don't think I'd wanna roll around the world full time.

But there are tons of places in the US I haven't eaten at yet. Grandma and Grandpa loved traveling the US. I think they got their fill of world travel in WWII when he was in the Air Force (Army Air Corps actually. But by the time he retired it was the Air Force).

I was just over at his house last weekend and he showed me a stash of 8mm film he'd like to get converted to digital. It starts from when my dad and uncle were little boys and they were stationed in Okinawa. I'm betting there's more than a few shots of them with the various Airstreams too.

My Aunt (grandpa's sister) was the world traveler. I used to love getting postcards from her from everywhere in the world. What I wouldn't give for somebody to travel back in time and kick my ass and tell me to save that stuff. Stamps, coins and trinkets from everywhere a retired teacher could get to from the 60s through the 90s.

[Skittles]

168. just do not live in tornado alley

[hfojvt]

172. seems to me like it would be expensive

and also not very spacious. They get lousy gas mileage and you'd always have to be paying for a place to park it.

House prices in some areas are crazy. I tend to pick where I want to live based on housing prices. I have now fully paid off two houses (one of which I sold for a huge loss while moving to my current one).

Once the house is paid off, then expenses are only about $100-$150 a month plus utilities.

Amazing though, that is what I was paying for lot rent for my mobile home in 1986.

But with 1986 dollars. That's $335 a month in today's money. Lord knows what the rent is now actually.

[Yeager29]

176. I actually did it

Lived for 3 years in a 5th wheel with the wife and kiddo. We paid off the truck, trailer and had money in savings at the end because we saved our rent and utility money. Lived in a cheapo RV park. It was wonderfully stressfree living. I'd do it again if I could.

[angstlessk]

177. Why did you stop?

And why can't you do it again?

[woodsprite]

178. In a heartbeat! That's what my husband and I intend to do.

We are eligible to retire now, but with 2 kids (one going into college in 2 yrs, one with one year of college left), we realistically will look at retirement in 12-15 years.

I think rather than doing it full-time 365 days a year, we'll be keeping our house (should be paid off by then). We already have a fifth wheel, we'd only need a new truck to tow it with and we'll do 5-6 months travel, and the rest at home. Our current one is 35' w/ a bunkhouse. If it's just us, we wouldn't need the bunkhouse, so we could upgrade to one where the bathroom is on the same level as the bedroom, and go down to a 28'-30' length.

We love the area near Siesta Key, but spent two weeks down there this Christmas and were surprised the beaches were just like a crowded weekend at Rehoboth Beach in DE. In the summer, you can walk a beach for quite awhile before you see a dozen or more people. We've always done summer in the past, even over 4th of July, and were really surprised at the difference. My inlaws live in Rotonda West. It's a very nice area as well, has some great campgrounds.