Questions for "half-timers"

We've been "half timers" for 10 years. Split between Ohio & Florida.

We started with a larger hose. Then moved to a smaller house and rented the bigger house. Then built a one bedroom apartment over the garage and moved into that and installed full hook-ups for the 5er to use as a guest room. And rented the smaller house too.

Last year when we returned from Florida my DW said, "It's such a chore moving in and out of the apartment, why don't we just stay in the camper?" So now we're doing that.

"Squatters" have moved into the apartment. And when our DIL graduates from nursing school we'll decide what to do with the apartment at that time.

We're probably the most reluctant cautious full timers you'll encounter. But it does show that you don't necessarily have to commit all at once.

We wound up with most of our assets in property. Not too bad, as it generates income. And with smart phones and online banking it's not any more difficult to manage the properties from Florida. They simply pay their rent to our bank account. Furnace repair, plumbing, septic tank cleaning is all handled over the phone any way.

When we leave we tell our tenants, "Don't make us come back here! Or we'll come back with an eviction notice!" (It's worked so far, rent's on time every month.)

Ok. We are a bit different but I hope this will help or at least confuse you more. We sold everything we owned, house, 2 boats, two cars, lawnmower (so glad to see go) washer/dryer, kid......ok ok wife wouldn't let me sell the kid so we shipped him off to college...and bought a sailboat. We spent 4 years sailing the Caribbean.. long story short family illness caused us to come back.

Because we had sold everything we now needed to buy everything. (shy one kid)..We ended up sitting on the floor for 6 weeks waiting on furniture to be delivered. Apparently stores have to order the stuff and will not let you take it off the showroom floor. We actually started going into stores and asking if they would sell off the floor. Some did, a lot would not.

Now we are looking for a MH. (Yes, people die and kid's grow up) We are leaning toward selling the house but buying a condo to come home to, recharge our internal batteries (anything you do day after day to include sitting on the aft end of a boat anchored off some tiny island in the crystal clear waters of the caribbean and watching the sun sink into the sea will become...well... you get where you just don't see it) our thinking this time is that a home/condo would give us that down time to make going back out even more enjoyable.

There is couple down the block from us that sold thier BIG house and bought a foreclosed place, put in a RV Pad, and electric pole beside the house (no HOA). They part-timeers, I see them leave in the big MH and not return for about 2 months then they are at the little house for a month then gone again. Just an idea for you.

We've full-timed for 16+ years and still haven't seen everything! We've also had multiple surgeries, including a knee replacement and I must say, it's a lot easier to recoup in an RV with everything within easy reach. Everyone is different, for sure. It all depends on how you feel. No one can tell you yes or no to full-timing. We decided after forced early retirement and knew we wanted to travel. We got rid of everything within 4 months and haven't regretted it for a moment. It's a wonderful lifestyle - for some people. Good luck coming to your decision!

My wife and I had planned what we called our "trip of a lifetime" and have been traveling in our 29 foot travel trailer for 6 1/2 months. We are currently finishing our trip and heading west back to Utah.

Please don't misunderstand what I will tell you-we have had a great time and have seen almost everything we have wanted to see. I think between this trip and previous travel we are still about 5 or so states short.

After this trip we feel that fulltiming would not be for us. Some campgrounds are great...some are not so great. We were in a park where a spouse had to go into the hospital for a knee replacement. Their beautiful class A had three steps just to get in to it. After dealing with this situation in our family, he is in for a rough go of it just to get in to the RV.

It's great to have a home to go back to, and a appreciating asset and not a depreciating one.

I know there are those that feel differently and you will probably hear from them as well.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

We're all in a somewhat different boat with our circumstances. I started out as a half-timer due to extended business travel. Enjoyed the RV lifestyle immensely, but hated the commute. In my case, a medical condition arose that required me to take better care of myself.

With three more years until full retirement, I elected to go full-time, travel and work at a more leisurely pace in my profession. Of course, being single, I didn't have to consider the wishes of another. I'll reach retirement in 48 days. Where upon, I'll continue in the lifestyle, albeit at a slower pace.

Health withstanding, it sure beats the encroachment of urban blight, higher taxes, HOA rules and regulations, constant upkeep and repairs (relatively speaking) and lawn work. If I never own another lawn mower, it'll be too soon.:B There is a measure of freedom experienced that's unknown in the traditional world of home ownership.

Of course, suffice it to say, it's critical that you and yours are communicative and on the same page about full timing. There's not much that's set in stone. If after time, you find that you've made the wrong decision, you simply make the decision right. Good luck in your decision.

We've met many people who have been full timing for 5-10 years and don't have homes to worry about. Given that, if you are not absolutely sure you will love full timing like we do, then I would keep the house or sell the house and save the money in case you decide to purchase another house if you don't like full timing. Renting isn't usually an option and unless it's someone you absolutely trust I wouldn't leave my home with house sitters. I would start with trips about 4-6 weeks long to see how you like it, then increase to a couple of months trips. Bottom line is have a backup plan whatever you decide to do. We've been full timing for 4 years and do not want another home.

You might want to ask this question in the Snowbird section, as essentially that is what a lot of them are - 'half-timers'.

Barb

My sister knew a couple that sold everything, went full timing and 6 months later sold the RV and bought a new house.