Anyone have regrets about having gone full-time?

There are many more people in desperate situations that hung on to the sticks and bricks lifestyle than those that chose to be nomads. The biggest difference is they never had any fun.

My lifetime neighbor just lost his business & home to foreclosure. He managed to trade his last asset for a 5th wheel. When I told him lot rent in Florida was cheaper than heat in Ohio his eyebrows went up to where his hairline used to be. I think he's going to migrate with us.

I try to not let the perils of aging become the perils of traveling. Loss of income? Loss of mobility? Poor health? Sure, they're going to happen. Whether I travel or not.
In my case, hanging onto a property with it's taxes and maintenance would drag me down quicker.
I calculate I'll be retired about as long as my working years. When I figure out how to do it, that will be my children's "Legacy". How to age gracefully. People are living longer now. When I told my son, "We'll be old men together" BOY! did he have a shocked look on his face!

wishin'andhopin' wrote:
What a great question and so timely for some decisions that we have to make.

We are moving to Boise and wanted to rent a house for a year or two, but I have a rottie mix and am getting the doors slammed on me. I even have $100,000 of renter's insurance that covers the dog. My husband and I are so discouraged that we are seriously thinking about purchasing a large travel trailer and living in that. Oddly enough, we have found a couple of parks that will accept her as long as she behaves herself (and she will).

Anyone full-time with a large dog? Luckily for me, rotties are pretty sedate dogs. I couldn't imagine trying to do it with an Australian Shepherd.

First off, great thread! I needed to read this as ive become discouraged in my desire to live in an RV full time in a matter of hours. However, one of my reasons for wanting to full time RV (without the full time RV lifestyle because I still have a full time job I report to daily) is same as yours, Wishin and Hopin.

Im set on full timing and hope to eventually (a long time from now) actually embrace the full time lifestyle with travelling and all.

I really admire you full-timers! I can see that it takes great courage...and it is a HUGE leap of faith to pick up roots and trust for provision in the unconventional ways!

This is something that I am struggling with. I have a successful wedding and portrait photography biz but feel the call of of the wild...I LOVE adventure and never really settled down in one place for long, but for the past 16 years, I have been stuck in nowhereville in rural GA. There is nothing here to do or see!!

Even so....I have not been quite willing to let go of the security of a regular income. I feel scared...but the level of fear is diminishing, as I continue to work out the bases of my fears. AND, as I hear from all you brave folks!!

Thank you for going ahead of us to pave the way and offering the encouragement and support!! : )

Just to be clear-The wife and I just completed an 8 month-32 state journey around the USA-stayed in 50 different campgrounds and had a great time. We saw a lot of historical sights and tourist spots. We did this in a 29foot Ultra Light trailer and a half ton pickup. It took some significant dollars to do this. But, I am not obsessed with money. If I was I would have stayed home, because I blew a lot of money out the tailpipe!

Very nice response! :)

Mookie: That's an excellent comparison of types of people. We're #1, by the way.

CKNSLS:: Full-timing is definitely not for everyone, and that's o.k. It's getting too crowded out here. :) However, I really have a problem with those who are not full-timers picking apart everything about full-timing like we've living this wonderful lifestyle all wrong and something terrible is going to happen because of it. We aren't afraid of the unknown. We'll deal with it if necessary.

You obviously have very different views, and need to be in control of every aspect of your life and have everything planned out. If that works for you, fine. But that's not how we want to live. Most full-timers think differently than you. There are full-timers out here from all walks of life from doctors and lawyers to young adventurous folks with children. There is no set mould. We are all enjoying a wonderful lifestyle and we'll all know when and if it's time to stop. When it's time to hang up the keys we'll do just what you'll do. However, it doesn't have to include living in a big house.

You seem to be obsessed with money. We're not. We've learned that the saying is definitely true "money doesn't buy happiness". We've learned to live on the minimal and found it to be so much easier and stress-free. We don't lack for anything. We have had many terrific experiences from rafting the Grand Canyon, to living on an island volunteering and giving lighthouse tours, and special trips to Alaska. We're doing what we WANT to do and it's not costing any more than living in a stationery house and paying taxes, upkeep, etc. In fact, I would guess it's costing us a lot less than you. We have learned to conserve in many ways so that we can do these special things.

As for as if one gets sick: it can easily be dealt with living in an RV. We have known folks on dialysis, folks confined to wheelchairs and folks without limbs. We ourselves have had multiple surgeries, including cancer. It is very easy to recuperate in an RV because everything is in a small, easy to reach space. Home health-care workers and physical therapists have no problems checking in on you or administering specialized care in an RV. It's home - just like your big house is home. There's no difference.

If need be, there are many great RV communities that offer those that can't drive, van trips, shopping trips, transportation to doctors and many social aspects. We are free to use the surrounding community's senior facilities for any help we might need - just like you living in that big ole' house.

If we're too feeble to stay in our RV we would do exactly what you would do with that big house of yours. You wouldn't be able to stay there either. You'd probably go into assisted living or such. So would we. There's no difference.

Try to understand that living in a RV is absolutely no different than living in a big ole' house. Ours is just smaller!

A very interesting debate!!! I believe that there are people here of two different mindsets.

1. The nomadic right-brain types, who are care-free, artistic bohemian types that love the call of the wild...the adventures to be had that beckon them on...who are spontaneous and "go with the flow" without much thought about tomorrow, who are flexible and will "roll with the punches" and take each day as it comes.

2. The adventuresome, left-brain types that are more practical, organized, planned, calculating, perhaps less flexible...and uncomfortable with lack of structure and unpredictability...the ones who feel a greater need for control over their lives.

Direct opposites indeed! Two different approaches to life and two different ways to live!

Neither is better than the other...just different personality types and each way of life, if it works for you, is the right way for you.

What a great question and so timely for some decisions that we have to make.

We are moving to Boise and wanted to rent a house for a year or two, but I have a rottie mix and am getting the doors slammed on me. I even have $100,000 of renter's insurance that covers the dog. My husband and I are so discouraged that we are seriously thinking about purchasing a large travel trailer and living in that. Oddly enough, we have found a couple of parks that will accept her as long as she behaves herself (and she will).

Anyone full-time with a large dog? Luckily for me, rotties are pretty sedate dogs. I couldn't imagine trying to do it with an Australian Shepherd.

MeanderMan wrote:
"OK-Where would you go if by some chance your health was bad after 5 years of full timing? Would you have enough funds to buy another house? Or, would you have to SETTLE and rent somewhere?"

We've been full timing for eight years, and I find this statement ridiculous. Why, at an advanced age that takes me off the road, would I want to BUY a home? What, am I going to build equity by living to be 112? And why is renting a condo or townhome with all of the maintenance taken care of SETTLING for less. The last thing I ever intend to do is become another homeowner. I already own one, and it can take me anywhere I want to live.

Next time you go to anywhere it's desirable to live (I am not talking the middle of the desert) check out what a one bedroom or two bedroom apartment costs in a half decent complex. The thing is now almost all apartment buildings are owned by major Real Estate Investment groups of one kind or the other-and they are concerned about one thing and that is RETURN ON INVESTMENT. Rents have gotten ridiculous.

I think it's a very serious question. Some of us (not everyone) wants to leave a legacy of some sort to our children and/or Grandchildren. One sure way not to do this is to sell an appreciating asset and buy one that not only doesn't appreciate, but may even need to be replaced.

TODAY-it might not always be this way-Full timing is something one wants to do JUST BECAUSE. It is in no way a sound financial situation to go in to.

"OK-Where would you go if by some chance your health was bad after 5 years of full timing? Would you have enough funds to buy another house? Or, would you have to SETTLE and rent somewhere?"

We've been full timing for eight years, and I find this statement ridiculous. Why, at an advanced age that takes me off the road, would I want to BUY a home? What, am I going to build equity by living to be 112? And why is renting a condo or townhome with all of the maintenance taken care of SETTLING for less. The last thing I ever intend to do is become another homeowner. I already own one, and it can take me anywhere I want to live.