Downsizing - 2 yrs and counting
I'm two years and one day away from my planned retirement, and transitioning into full-timing. My wife and I realize that we've got a LOT of downsizing to do as we'll move from a 4 bedroom house to a ...
Forum Discussion
It's one thing if you say "I'm going to TRY out full-timing for a year and see if we like it" - then keep your stuff and pay the storage fees for it.
However, if you go into it saying "We're going to travel and see this wonderful country of ours - SLOWLY" - then sell the stuff. That's what we did.
After 16 years we found an awesome 55+ community that we would have never dreamed of living previously. Many of the homes sell completely and very nicely furnished because older folks pass on and their kids don't want to deal with the 'stuff'. We didn't have to buy one thing for ours and the furnishings were top quality and matched the Southwest area. Had we kept our furniture for 16 years and paid storage - YIKES! Plus, it would be very old-fashioned for today.
If you don't make a definite commitment you probably won't be successful.
As for an 'exit plan'. The only one we had, along with our full-timing friends, was sell the house, invest the money and make no other plans. Some folks think they have to have a house to come back to. Will you really want to go back to where you lived? Bitter cold winters? Would you be able to take care of that big house?
Even if you have medical issues, you can get through them in an RV as easily as in a house. We've done it and seen it done over and over. A friend right now is on dialysis and still traveling. Many folks get cancer and are treated while living in their RV. Same goes for various surgeries and joint replacements. In fact, from experience it's a lot easier to recoup in a RV where things are close requiring minimal walking. Physical therapists and visiting nurses will also come into your RV for treatments. It all can be done.
Bottom line - go into it with a very positive attitude and things have a way of working out. Enjoy the new lifestyle!
However, if you go into it saying "We're going to travel and see this wonderful country of ours - SLOWLY" - then sell the stuff. That's what we did.
After 16 years we found an awesome 55+ community that we would have never dreamed of living previously. Many of the homes sell completely and very nicely furnished because older folks pass on and their kids don't want to deal with the 'stuff'. We didn't have to buy one thing for ours and the furnishings were top quality and matched the Southwest area. Had we kept our furniture for 16 years and paid storage - YIKES! Plus, it would be very old-fashioned for today.
If you don't make a definite commitment you probably won't be successful.
As for an 'exit plan'. The only one we had, along with our full-timing friends, was sell the house, invest the money and make no other plans. Some folks think they have to have a house to come back to. Will you really want to go back to where you lived? Bitter cold winters? Would you be able to take care of that big house?
Even if you have medical issues, you can get through them in an RV as easily as in a house. We've done it and seen it done over and over. A friend right now is on dialysis and still traveling. Many folks get cancer and are treated while living in their RV. Same goes for various surgeries and joint replacements. In fact, from experience it's a lot easier to recoup in a RV where things are close requiring minimal walking. Physical therapists and visiting nurses will also come into your RV for treatments. It all can be done.
Bottom line - go into it with a very positive attitude and things have a way of working out. Enjoy the new lifestyle!
