Reconsidering retirement

[ecarbone]

Hi all,
Recently I have been having second thoughts about retireing and going on the road alone. All of my family and friends are located here (upstate NY) and I wonder how lonely it will be if I leave. I know that there are rallies and events all around the country but I don't want to (and am not budgeted) pump an endless supply of fuel into my 40 footer + toad and motorcycle. I wish to go someplace and stay for awhile. I'm not doing this (rving)to meet someone (but that would be ok) but I'm not real excited about doing everything by myself.
What do you all think? Did (do) you all have the same feelings? What do you do with the 10 hours or so a day that you formally devoted to work? I don't mind volunteering but I do not want to spend all my time doing that either.

[ecarbone]

Hi all,
Recently I have been having second thoughts about retireing and going on the road alone. All of my family and friends are located here (upstate NY) and I wonder how lonely it will be if I leave. I know that there are rallies and events all around the country but I don't want to (and am not budgeted) pump an endless supply of fuel into my 40 footer + toad and motorcycle. I wish to go someplace and stay for awhile. I'm not doing this (rving)to meet someone (but that would be ok) but I'm not real excited about doing everything by myself.
What do you all think? Did (do) you all have the same feelings? What do you do with the 10 hours or so a day that you formally devoted to work? I don't mind volunteering but I do not want to spend all my time doing that either.

[rebelsbeach]

Given your uncertain attitude toward traveling alone and being on the road, I would think you should give this idea some great thought.

Embarking on a journey of being on the road requires "some" advance planning, whether it's a decision to pick a spot to spend the winters or deciding to travel from place to place.

If you're not accustomed to being alone, it might be a good idea to give this some longer thought...

[IslandMomma]

Well, I dunno. I think that having some ambivalence and some mixed feelings, including apprehensions, about RV-ing full-time are understandable. I have them but I really, really, really want to do this also and have some related prior experience.

Had you thought about trying it for some finite period of time...as extended as you feel would be a good trial? Some ppl just need to take it more slowly, like a testing of the water, in a way...

Good Luck!

IM

[Route 66]

It sounds like you have two concerns; retiring and fulltiming.

I've never been bored since retiring, either when I had a house or since I started fulltiming. I don't know how I had time to work.

Fulltiming alone certainly has its boring moments, but it depends on your personality as far as talking to strangers, and making new friends.

I have made so many new friends since hitting the road, and we stay in touch by email, PM's, phone calls, and meeting from time to time.

Fulltiming is not for everyone, but it was something I wanted to do for years, and I have no plans of stopping.

I too had some of your concerns, but they were minor concerns, outweighed by the desire to fulltime.

[GraciesMom]

I split up with my long-time boyfriend a few months before arriving in Denver to visit my son, so I haven't done a lot of full timing on my own. I've now been settled here in Denver for two months. On one hand, I'm itching to get back on the road and on the other hand - I'm having the same types of feelings that you're having. I've looked at places to live around here - but I know that I don't want to live in Denver - even though my son lives here. While I'm apprehensive about doing a lot of things on my own, the rewards of all the people I'll meet and places I'll see far outweigh the apprehension. If I find that I don't like it, I can always sell the RV and settle down somewhere. But if I don't try it, I'll never know. And I dont' want to have any regrets. I know that I love RVing . . . and I know that I'm a friendly outgoing person. So I should be able to meet people to go sightseeing and do things with out there. If not, I have my dogs and my camera. I have never been bored on the road - there were always more things to do and to see than I had time for. If you're not opposed to taking day trips you can keep busy sight seeing all the time. Community calendars will give you insights into what's going on around town and you can make new friends every where you go. There are RV parks that cater to retirees and have activities planned at the RV park to encourage socialization. We only have one life. It's a huge, beautiful continent with so much to see and do. I know it's hard to leave friends and family behind, but life is too short to spend it working while you still have your health and can get out and see SO MUCH. If you plan where you're going and what you're going to do, there won't be a lot of boredom . . . and you can budget well by planning too. I'm going to Arizona and New Mexico for the winter, but I'm not going to stay in one place for a long time. I have a list of places that I want to see and things to do so I'll be moving around every couple of weeks or so.

Only you can make this decision for you - but my philosophy has always been that you never know until you try something. So at least give it a shot! You can always turn the rig around and go back home!! Best of luck to you!

[apackof2]

One of the big reasons for me to full time is too check out where I want to hang my hat permanently when that time comes.

Therefore, I do not plan on hanging out exclusively with other RVers but investigating clubs, organizations and going to meetings that share my interests, passions etc in local communities. that I am visiting

For instance, it's no secret here that I am a conservative so I would seek out the local County Republicans and go to their next get-together to meet and network with like-minded people in the community. Meeting people while learning about the community

With gas the price it is, most full timers are staying put longer so this is doable goal.

I have been doing research on communities that I may have a desire to settle in, so when I do get on the road, I can visit. Lots of good information on the Internet and books. In addition, I just subscripted to a magazine called "Where to Retire"

So long story short, life on the road can be tailored any way YOU want.

[GraciesMom]

Joanie - that's my plan too. I know where I DON'T want to settle down . . . but I'm not sure where I do want to yet. So far, my favorite places are Trinidad, CA; lots of places on the Oregon Coast; Alaska but I don't know if I could handle the winters . . .

I was on the northwest coast last winter and it really wasn't that bad. It was pretty pleasant actually. Rarely was it down into the freezing temperatures. There were even some 70 degree days. Just really DAMP.

I loved the Keys but couldn't handle the heat and humidity.

The ideal situation for me would be a winter place on the gulf and a summer place in Alaska or the pacific northwest. Maybe I should start looking at park models soon . . .

[Route 66]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Maybe I should start looking at park models soon . . . </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thinking of coming off the road already?

[GraciesMom]

Coming off the road? Oh gosh no!!! Just thinking down the road

I've got two years pretty well mapped out right now - and I know the longer I travel the more I'll want to see. I'm all twisted up in knots about not being able to see everything I want to see this fall in Arizona and New Mexico - but I can't be three places at once so I'm having to choose. Trying not to drive so much either to conserve gas. I still have the entire eastern seaboard, Canada and the midwest to see before I hang up the keys!!

[ecarbone]

All of your suggestions are very encouraging. I have looked into all of the singles rv groups but I think my age of 57 and the fact that I never had any children puts me at a different type of "social" level. Don't get me wrong! I am not implying that one is better than another....just different. I still want to go to concerts, car races, motorcycling etc. Bingo or card games are not my idea of the type of things I want to occupy my time with. When married, I always did everything with my spouse. Now, even though I'm intersted in doing and seeing new things I don't know if I can "enjoy" them in the way that I always have...sharing with someone else. I don't want this conversation to become too deep or "whinny" but I cannot think of a better way to describe my apprehensions. Due to an injury I will not be able to make my time table of retiring this fall so I hope the extra time will let me talk to more people and possibly someone with similar experiences.
Travel Safe!!
EdC

[GraciesMom]

Your age of 57? I'm 52. There's lots of young one's out here - kids or no kids. And I'll be young until I'm 75 - then I'll start to age - LOL!! You don't have to play cards . . . and if you plan, you can find folks to do things with you. Ideally, I think we'd all like to have a travel partner - lots of things are better when shared. But being alone puts you in touch with yourself and you get to know yourself better than you ever would have if you were with someone else all the time. I've come to enjoy my own company. I even crack myself up sometimes!! You will be ok. We'll keep sharing our experiences with you. And check out LOW!!! Loners On Wheels!! Take care -

[Izzyblueye]

I share many of the same apprehensions that "ecarbone" has since my DW passed on. I have no desire to full time as I need to work the earth part of the year, my own patch. However, my normal trip South is coming closer and the apprehensions are getting stronger. I have great neighbors on the Gulf Coast, but then they are all still couples. I also do not do the card or bingo scene. I like traveling, flea markets etc; but with out the spouse, I am afraid it will become a like a dog chasing his own tail. It is interesting to read the different thoughts on this section of the forum and each thought helps the decision process.

[GraciesMom]

OK - that's it. All my irv2 singles can agree on a spot and spend winter together traveling! How's that? LOL!! That way none of us will be alone and we won't have to play any cards!!