Hello,My wife and I are almost 50, she's getting really sick of the rat race. She's been working fulltime since she was 16 and I've been working since I was 19.We already have a destination trailer a bit southwest of Brainerd, MN, outside of Garrison. I like the campground and my neighbors, but since it's been extremely cold and snowy this winter, it's been difficult if not impossible to spend time there. The cold and snow brought up the possibility of early semi-retirement where we'd probably work part time (I can work on computers anywhere I go) and the rest of the time just relax.I've perused the forums a bit but I haven't really gotten a feel for any specific RV park. Our neighbors are looking at a place called BlueStar in Apache Junction. We visited Tucson last year and looked at Benson, but my wife is a bit picky so it didn't pan out.I've debated acquiring a used TT (less than 10 years old) and seeing what parks look good, but since we're both full time I haven't had a chance to get down to Apache Junction.My wife is more social than I and prefers activities and community, while I am a bit less social and wouldn't care if I was on a hillside in a popup camper, as long as I see great sunrises and occasional wildlife. Are there any parks that stand out as decent? We're looking for a park that does HOA, similar to what we've got up here. That way, my parents could also use the park if they wanted to.

You seem to have very specific "wants" in a long term park, and that is good. After you get a list, make sure you take the time to visit each candidate. It is amazing what a personal visit can reveal. This is what we do when choosing a winter spot and it works well.

I retired at 55, and I knew that was early, but, I never knew *how* early until I snowbirded. You may have a bit of culture shock if you visit most southern RV parks. People are old. Most over 65. They will consider you a kid, which is ok, but you may feel you've gone back in time about 40 years. They won't like the same music as you.. or just about anything else. Do you like hanging with your parents or their friends?I'd suggest you work hard now and retire for good when possible. Part-time working the rest of your life (if that's your plan) may not pan out as well as you think it will.

Are you open to other areas like south Texas?

I have no useful advise about your destination plans but I can tell you that retiring as soon as possible if a wonderful idea if you can afford it. I left a job with 26 years seniority at age 44 without ever looking back. My parents instilled in me to save all I possibly could so I left the workforce with quite a knot. I did pick up odd jobs such as hardware stores and absolutely loved it because I could pick my hours and if I didn't like the atmosphere I could just pack up and leave.

sdianel wrote:Are you open to other areas like south Texas?I go where she goes :) But Arizona is also where a few of our neighbors are, so having a few friends close by would be advantageous. I don't know of anyone in South Texas but I've been looking for real estate or a lot to snowbird on for about 2 years - FL and TX, while nice, seem to have higher prices. I did not look all that hard at South Texas, though.Still in the planning stages. Working on selling all the things she's collected at this point. Even if we don't go at least the house will has fewer display cases! :P

early retirement? | Good Sam Community

Fizz
Explorer
Feb 11, 2014
2oldman wrote:
Fizz wrote:
The only money advise I can give is. PAY OFF YOUR DEPTS FIRST.
Yep.. the water dept, the sewer dept and especially the credit card dept.

Too deep for me :)
arnko37
Explorer
Feb 11, 2014
My thoughts on this are; Do not buy into a park too quickly. Make sure you want the area rather than the other snowbird areas. After you know what area then rent in several of the parks that look good to you. You might find you don't like the rules, don't like the management, too crowded, the wrong type of fellow campers, too expensive on the monthly assoc. fees, too far from shopping, too close to something that you don't like, too many barking dogs etc. Also you might consider some work camping. Some parks will offer a free site in exchange for part time work in the office or on the grounds. They need extra help during the busy season. There is a website somewhere about workcamping that lists whats available. Good Luck to you both.
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2014
Fizz wrote:
The only money advise I can give is. PAY OFF YOUR DEPTS FIRST.
Yep.. the water dept, the sewer dept and especially the credit card dept.
John_Joey
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
How are you setup for health care coverage? That will be the cornerstone on your early retirement plans.
Fizz
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
The only money advise I can give is.
PAY OFF YOUR DEPTS FIRST.
Dick_B
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
We had some camping friends that pulled their camper down to Florida every year, from Chicago, and moved from park to park until they got tired of the long drive each year and the moving around and finally bought a condo in Fort Myers.
What's the point? I'd try different campgrounds before settling on a permanent one. Staying on one is different from just driving around; which some campgrounds don't let you do anyway.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2014
Another thing to consider is your social security/pension/retirement benefits. If you start working part time now until you reach minimum 62 (if it doesn't change) you will not make very much money and will impact your monthly benefit for the rest of your lifetime. Keep working, but work toward retiring - start putting money away - build up your IRA or 401K -- then leave early after you have a nest egg put away.
2oldman
Explorer II
Feb 10, 2014
MNGeeks61 wrote:
2nd edit: Is there a "preview post" feature?
Only an offline text file.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Feb 10, 2014
I retired 3 mos. shy of turning 50.
GF retired 3 yrs later at 49.

A year later we hit the road and never considered a part time job or work-camping. We had good jobs that we retired from......so why work.

We hit the road to go...go places we had never been. We could sit around at the house. We traveled......moved every week/2 weeks for 7 yrs.

Life changed and we recently bought another house. That's why we traveled. Never know what would happen/change or when.

Go for it...........enjoy
Fizz
Explorer
Feb 10, 2014
We spent five winter in Apache Junction and loved it.
30 min west is downtown Phoenix, 30 min east is 'out there', beautiful green desert.

Forum Discussion

early retirement?

About Campground 101

Related Content

RETIREMENT

Retirement

Retired

Retired my 6.4

Taste of retirement