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Full-Time RVing?

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Larry View Drop Down
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    Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 12:33am

What do you think of living in your RV full-time and traveling here and there?

 

There is a lot of discussion about this over at RV.net and insurance companies do offer “full-timers” insurance for those who live in their RV. Some might think that and R-Pod is too small for full-time living but I have met people who live in their truck camper full-time; lots of truck campers are smaller than and R-Pod.

 

I am retired, considering selling my house and living in and RV; don’t know if it will be the R-Pod I currently have or a medium sized travel trailer which I might buy; I really don’t care for a 5th Wheel or Class A.

 

There is a stigma attached because some people say it is like being homeless but I think that there is a lot of freedom in it. When I was younger I hitch hiked all over the U.S. back in the 1970’s with just a back pack; some friends and I also hitched around Europe, and also back in the 1970’s I traveled and lived in my tricked out Volkswagen Van. But as you get older you start thinking about being stable.

 

One guy I met online was telling me about his parents who were very grumpy and always at each other than they sold their home and went full-timing in a 5th Wheel. He said that their attitudes really changed and they lightened up a great deal; being out in nature all the time, etc. I guess there are lots of pros and cons to such a lifestyle and it all depends on a person’s resources, since of adventure, and tolerance for living in a small place.

 

What do you think?

 

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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David and Danette Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 5:24am
 At one time many lived in tents and wagons. Over the years houses have gotten larger and larger. Now there is a trend for smaller houses. There are some who want to live a more conservative life style. I just read that a musician sold his home and is now living full-time in a small RV. His average yearly income is 11,000 dollars and he still able to save for his retirement. He loves it and does not regret his change. If you are able to manage financially and think of the day when you are no longer able to drive and plan for that it sounds great. We have a 171 its not large but your not spending 24 hours a day living in it. Nature is wonderful, I agree it is good for your well being.     David and Danette
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Larry View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Larry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 7:18am

Given the housing market crash a lot of people ended up walking away from their homes or had their homes foreclosed on them, and owning a home is not what it used to be. I am in a very unique situation; as a disabled veteran I can camp at State parks for free and national parks at half price; I can also camp at RV parks on military bases which are rather cheap and tax free. I can also get medical care at any VA hospital or clinic and every State has VA hospitals and clinics. So it would be a lot cheaper for me to live full time in and RV and travel around then it would be maintaining a house as I have been; no mortgage or rent, no HOA dues, and no electric bill just to name a few things.  

 

I lost my eyesight during the Vietnam War and was totally blind for about 5-years; it was quite and experience; I went thru a dozen eye surgeries to regain my eyesight, but when I was blind I thought of all the things I’d want to see if I had eyesight, then I got my eyesight back and started taking it for granted like most folks. I will be 65-years old next year and I hope that I will still be able to drive well into my seventies.

 

My wife died from breast cancer in 1992 and I was living in a big house in Denver which we both shared. A few years after her death I decided to sell my house and move into a studio apartment. I told myself that anything I could not get into that small studio apartment I was either going to sell or give away. I used to be a college teacher and publishers would give me books to recommend to students so I had more than 2,000 books on my bookshelf, which I reduced to about 100, sold some but gave most to the local public library. It felt so good to downsize my life.

 

The bigger your house the more stuff you will put in that house to fill it up but when you downsize your life things become a lot simpler. Thing is none of us know how much time we have and I’d like to go full-timing in and RV for at least 5-years before I get too much older, have failing eyesight and be unable to drive. I do think full-time RVing offers a lot of freedom and constantly being out in nature just might improve my health; I know it does right now when I go on a one or two week camping trip. I meet so many very friendly people out there when I am camping and some of them are full-timing in their RV.

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Maryjo View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Maryjo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 7:22am
My brother and sister-in-law dreamed of doing just that for years. When he retired, they rented out their house bought a 5th wheel and put an ad in the RV magazines for jobs. They are now in Santa Fe NM working at the KOA there and loving it. They already have jobs at the same KOA for next year. They have been doing this for 3 years now and loving it. Last year they were in Carlsbad. They have seen and done  more in the last 3 years than they could ever dream of. I love it because I can go visit,see all the sights, and still have my own space in my Foxy-Pod. I don't know if I personally could do it full time, but it is nice knowing I have the option. It is also nice seeing how happy my brother and sister-in-law are.

FoxyPod (Maryjo)2010 R-Pod 173 Tow Vehicle:2004 Expedition
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Larry View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Larry Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 7:36am

I have met a lot of campground hosts who are full-time RV’ers; some are at KOA as you mentioned, and others at State and National Parks. Most campground hosts get their camping site and satellite TV for free, and some also get a stipend. But there are jobs available at campgrounds. I have even met families with children who were full-time RVing; they were home schooling their kids in the RV while the other parent worked a part-time job somewhere. Not all full-timers are retired.

 

There are lots of Europeans who come here to the U.S. and rent and RV to tour the U.S. for a few months, as well as I know of a couple who went to New Zealand and instead of getting a hotel they rented and RV and toured New Zealand. Some people who are full-time RV’ers will put their RV in storage and go on and ocean cruise for a week or so, or fly off to another country, and then come back to their RV and continue touring here in the U.S. There are so many possibilities and the more I think about it the more appealing it becomes to me.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tpierce220 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 7:59am
It's something that Louis and I have talked about over the last year.  We have a 2300 sq/ft house, and the thought of maintaining it when we get older is becoming less and less appealing.  Louis wants more of a compromise in that he wants some place that we can call "home" even if it is for a short time in the summer so that we can take care of doctor visits and such.  He's been looking at park models online thinking that he could live in that on a permanent site.  

We're fortunate that there's two private campgrounds about an hour from our house.  We're going to take a look at one, Woodhaven Lakes, http://woodhavenassociation.com ,probably sometime in November to look at their lots for sale to see if there's something that we can get even if it's to park ¡Podtástic! at for now.  
Adventures with ¡Podtástic!--Life in a Forest River RPod 182G with Tim and Louis and our two cats, Desi and Lucy. Check our website at http://podtastic.info for information on our journeys.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kenn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 8:00am
Full time Rving sounds like it would work out for you. However, you might want to consider a slightly larger RV where, you're not roughing it as much. Would you much rather have one hook-up for black and gray instead of switching the two back and forth? I agree that you don't need a 5er, but at least something with better space and perhaps a bigger bathroom. You paid your dues during Vietnam, so there's no reason to live to simply. Wouldn't it be great to not have to shop for a week of groceries by having a bigger fridge?
 
You mentioned that some people live in truck campers. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should or it'll be worth it. A different floorplan style trailer would suit your needs better.
 
Enjoy the freedom and luxuries that you fought for. I know that when I'm done with it all, I'm going to enjoy the freedom and sacrifice I paid for during my tenure.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Heidi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 8:30am
Larry, Life is short and if full timing is something you can do and want to do than you should go for it. There is so much out there for us to see and do that wasting a moment wondering if we should is just that, a waste. I think a backup plan is a good idea for when you get tired of travel but until then go and enjoy. Nothing is permanent. You can change your plans, your RV, your TV, and your mind at any time, but you may never get the chance to start this adventure again. Good Luck and ENJOY!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tdrace Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 8:52am

I just sold my house and moved into an apartment. At 56 I have begun thinking of retirement and did not think my home would be able to net any money as it was 130,000 underwater. Now I enjoy the freedom of camping on my off time instead of keeping up the house and yard. When I retire I would to love travel and workcamp. If you have the chance I say(Go FOR IT LIFE IS TO SHORT). Best of luck maybe I will see you out there.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote rpoders2 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2011 at 9:43am
I've really enjoyed reading these posts...and Larry, thanks for your service!
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