In reference to the New York Times piece "Retirement on the Road" I quote from today's opinion page..."Despite the larger numbers of retirees who want to hit the road, this one is very happy to be at home, where I have satisfying activities, frequent contact with friends and opportunities to spend time with my children and grandchildren.Being on the road, with a constant panoply of new places, new sights and new lodgings, wouldn’t hold my interest. Occasional travel: Great. All-the-time travel: Just too isolating"This was written in by Lenore H Forsted of Wynnewood PA.For those of us contemplating our future as RVers, it's a point well taken. When we are on the road we have a great time and talk about going full time or more time. Still looking at the options but home has it's advantages unlike any campground we've found so far. We're fortunate because we can travel as much as we want knowing our townhome is ready and available whenever we want to return home.

At this point I tend to agree, and more importantly, as does my DW. We can see being away RVing many months at a time, but we will always have a home-base to come back to. The article identifies many of the very same reasons why we will never be able to say we are truly full-timers, staying in close touch with children, grandchildren, family and friends will always pulls us back home. We do have many plans to go away for extended periods of time and God willing we will pursue those travels, but home is where the heart is and it will always be fun to get back.

I like the idea of a home port. Maybe it's a Navy thing. :)It's very doubtful that we'll be full timers.

What Mr. Forsted fails to realize that a large number of full timers end up finding that perfect (for them) spot and set down a more permanent existence there.Now imagine never having the opportunity to look for what place and staying in a place like, say, Wynnwood PA. That and I had to look up panoply.

I like the home port thing too though cutting the grass today for the first time since last March, & doing it in 85' heat with matching 85% humidity has me questioning how much I like being home.

I'll take the appreciation of real estate and not the depreciation on something with 4 wheels....Plus all the other things mentioned in the first post!

Too much of a good thing? Retirement on the Road NYT

27 Replies

Roy_Lynne
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
For sure, full-timing and even RVing isn't for everyone, or its one partners dream and the other partners nightmare. I really wish if someone is considering it, first they rent an RV and give it a try especially if they are planning on selling their home. If its one person's dream, and not the others, there is nothing wrong with him or her taking off and going on their own, or taking the dog and not forcing the other to go. I have a wanderlust, DH not so much.
TechWriter
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
First, Mr. Forsted just wrote a letter to the editor about this NY Times article: Increasingly, Retirees Dump Their Possessions and Hit the Road by David Wallis.

Keep this in mind -- the US Median income is about $50K (2012).

Here's a sample of the 5 couples interviewed (only 2 of the 5 couples are RVers):

The Martins from Paso Robles, CA (median income $60) described as "have not tapped their savings during their travels, alternating visits to expensive cities like London with more reasonable destinations like Lisbon."

Law & Carlton from Sante Fe, NM (median income $47K) who . . . ". . . spoke recently by phone from a campground in Stoupa, Greece . . . He explained that they roam the world . . . But they intend to continue what he termed their 'endless holiday' in a more comfortable and spacious recreational vehicle."

Mansfield & Gill from San Jose, CA (median income $80K) "sold their San Jose house (median income $80K). They drove from San Jose to Florida over five months, before cruising to Europe. "

The article is about folks (the majority of whom appear to be fairly well-healed) who travel full time and not really about full time RVers.

BTW, from my limited full-timing experience, it's not about the campgrounds, it's about the journey.
CKNSLS
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
I'll take the appreciation of real estate and not the depreciation on something with 4 wheels....

Plus all the other things mentioned in the first post!
Veebyes
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2014
I like the home port thing too though cutting the grass today for the first time since last March, & doing it in 85' heat with matching 85% humidity has me questioning how much I like being home.
jplante4
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2014
What Mr. Forsted fails to realize that a large number of full timers end up finding that perfect (for them) spot and set down a more permanent existence there.

Now imagine never having the opportunity to look for what place and staying in a place like, say, Wynnwood PA. That and I had to look up panoply.
gbopp
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
I like the idea of a home port. Maybe it's a Navy thing. :)

It's very doubtful that we'll be full timers.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2014
At this point I tend to agree, and more importantly, as does my DW. We can see being away RVing many months at a time, but we will always have a home-base to come back to. The article identifies many of the very same reasons why we will never be able to say we are truly full-timers, staying in close touch with children, grandchildren, family and friends will always pulls us back home. We do have many plans to go away for extended periods of time and God willing we will pursue those travels, but home is where the heart is and it will always be fun to get back.

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Too much of a good thing? Retirement on the Road NYT

27 Replies

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