Community Forums

Homeby5 · 07-28-2022, 10:30 PM

On this trip to Alaska, I am amazed at how many people I have met that sold their home and are RV'ing full time.
I get the appeal but I also would be afraid I would regret it and take a bath financially.
For those here that do it or are thinking about doing it, give me the scoop. Both negative and positive.

twogypsies · 07-28-2022, 11:36 PM

We were 'downsized' early in life. The first winter we took off for Florida and met tons of full-timers. They all told their stories and we were fascinated. In March on our return to Michigan we talked about the fun winter we had and the people we met. We decided on the drive back that's what we wanted to do. We were too young to retire. We wanted to travel and volunteer for the national and state parks to give us purpose and give back to the places we enjoy.

We sold everything and it was a huge weight off our shoulders. We felt so liberated. We took off for our full-time adventure in August and never regretted our 16 years of travel. Our grandkids grew up with our lifestyle and in their 20' today they still talk and ask questions about the places we've seen and done. They are also great adventurers. The oldest backpacked eastern Europe and was one of the last ones able to enter North Korea. We were there for all their special school and sports activities from kindergarten onward. Our kids have now moved on to other states, also.

We settled in a completely new area and one we would never have thought of living. We are so glad to be out the snow. When we sold the house we banked it and that was used for our exit strategy. It's not for everyone but it sure was for us. Now when we see a RV go by we long for the adventure.

DebbieMH · 07-29-2022, 10:40 AM

My husband and I "most timed" after we retired in 2016. When his cancer got worse and we were home bound at our house in New Orleans, we talked about it and he knew I was going to sell our house and go full time when he passed. That is exactly what I did. I banked the "house money" and also bought a lot with a nice little 400 sq ft casita on it at a really nice motorhome resort. I travel when I want and I "stay home" when I want. I have the best of all worlds. I'm 67, so know I won't be able to drive this beast forever, but if I can for the next 10 years or so ... that is what I plan on doing. I love the people I meet on the road ... I am very blessed.

**hamm2018** · 07-29-2022, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeby5

On this trip to Alaska, I am amazed at how many people I have met that sold their home and are RV'ing full time.
I get the appeal but I also would be afraid I would regret it and take a bath financially.
For those here that do it or are thinking about doing it, give me the scoop. Both negative and positive.

We sold both homes, all of the furniture, wife's car and went full time. I do not have any regrets, but who is to say you will/won't have any.
It could depend on what you expect to get out of it. We want to travel to different places, see different things and not to have to worry about a house.

RickNC · 07-29-2022, 11:59 AM

We very seriously considered selling it all and going full time 8 years ago. Ultimately we both decided we both have toys that we would hate to give up to do that. The compromise we arrived at was to downsize the house to a warmer climate and have a small motorhome that we can both be comfortable in for up to 4 months at a time. I have more wanderlust than my wife who is into her pottery and that circle of friends. So we currently RV together 3-4 months of the year and I tour on my motorcycle in between.

dizcom · 07-29-2022, 12:33 PM

Some people do it with financial security and some on a shoestring. My parents did it before it was called full timing. Had nothing toward the end but their SS checks. They got to a point in their lives where they knew they would never be rich, never work again, never afford another house. Bought themselves the last of many RV's they had over their lifetimes and pointed it into the wind. They stayed in one free spot after another, only seldom paying for a campground. Roamed all over this country and its neighbors to new places and old. Then one day they just couldn't. That day would have come if they had gone on their last adventure together like they did or if they had sat down in front of the TV somewhere. I can't think of any cons.

twogypsies · 07-29-2022, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieMH

My husband and I "most timed" after we retired in 2016. When his cancer got worse and we were home bound at our house in New Orleans, we talked about it and he knew I was going to sell our house and go full time when he passed. That is exactly what I did. I banked the "house money" and also bought a lot with a nice little 400 sq ft casita on it at a really nice motorhome resort. I travel when I want and I "stay home" when I want. I have the best of all worlds. I'm 67, so know I won't be able to drive this beast forever, but if I can for the next 10 years or so ... that is what I plan on doing. I love the people I meet on the road ... I am very blessed.

I've read your posts before & knew you were a woman traveling alone. I've always admired your determination. (I'm a gal, too.) There are many women full-timing out there and are even clubs for them. They help each other out in many ways. It's awesome!

computerguy · 07-29-2022, 08:41 PM

Cons for sure. Especially if you sold your real estate and now need to exit and purchase.
My story here

bigb56 · 07-29-2022, 08:50 PM

My idea is to buy/build an RV garage with a shop and living quarters, all under one roof. I couldn't imagine not having a home base, although my dad and stepmom did full time in a 5th wheel for 5 years before settling down first in FL then in AZ. Once they settled they sold the RV.

twogypsies · 07-30-2022, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computerguy

Cons for sure. Especially if you sold your real estate and now need to exit and purchase.
My story here

So sorry for your issues.

When going full-time one should always have a back up plan. A good one is when selling the house to invest that money and don't touch it.

TXiceman · 07-30-2022, 09:59 AM

We have been RVing since 1984 and full-time for the past 9 years. Over the last 3 years, full-time has gotten to be less fun since the campgrounds have become so crowded. There are many permanent residents, and lots of construction workers filling the sites, so it has made it difficult to travel on short notice.

For holidays, you need to make sure you have a site booked months in advance, especially in destination areas.

Hope you plans work out.

Ken

Camp CA · 07-30-2022, 10:01 AM

Pros......we like home base, espeacially after a long rv trip, appreciation hopefully. Cons.....selling a potentially appreciable asset for a possible non-appreciable asset.

garyb1st · 07-30-2022, 10:19 AM

Been RVing for 15 years. Have thought about full-timing and while the idea is appealing, after 3 months on the road, it's always good to get back to the stick built. Ideally what I would like is a large maybe 40 x 50 RV garage with living quarters on an acre or more land in an area that has the best of So Cal but doesn't cost multiple millions. Of course at 79, I seriously question the wisdom of any major change in lifestyle. While I'm in good health, that can change in a heartbeat. So being near good health care is critical.

FLJOE · 07-30-2022, 10:20 AM

It just boils down to how much can you live without? As a true traveling full timer your sticknbrick and most of your belongings have to go. Is the tradeoff worth it?

We watched our parents, aunts/uncles, and some neighbors age. Most generally do a little traveling in the summer but then the rest of the year is spent mowing the grass and taking care of the home with all the crap they collected over the past 50 years. Then the old body gives out and it is time to move on where you can get more help.

We all hope we have 20 years or more between the time we retire and the time we need a lot of assistance. Some folks are happy mowing the grass and rocking on the front porch for that 20 years. Then again some of us would rather explore as much of the country as we can and leave the mowing to someone else.