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Dog_Folks's avatar
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Dec 08, 2013

Why Are Full timers Wrong?

Every so often we see threads about newly minted full time travelers and the "resistance" they encounter from friends, and family, when they reveal their plans. Somme even keep their plans a secret to avoid the questions/condemnations.

I am curious why you think this is?

Do friends just fear the unknown? Do they fear anything that breaks away from the typical two cars, house and two kids model?

Many of us have experienced this, but why?

When I meet someone with a different lifestyle, I want to know more about it, not condemn or criticize it.

64 Replies

  • Stick Homes and property provide security and surety. When you own your own home That security ( cant be taken away easily) can be very powerful. After all a Full Timer is just one wreck away from being Homeless. This is the way others may think The Nomadic lifestyle is not for everyone. There has to be a sense of adventure and yes risk taking to really enjoy it. To many that fear of the unknown is too much and friends cant see the "risk" and if one of the people in a "couple" have that fear fugetaboutit.
  • I blame alot of it on a "lemming" mentality. Many people approach life a certain way because it is the way it has "always" been done and the way most others do it. Most people want to conform.

    So someone doing something so different from the norm seems insane to them. Then again, some of them may actually like the idea but are jealous because they are locked into their "American dream" and cannot do the same.

    I never got any push back, but do have friends and colleagues that just can't understand it.
  • I have never criticized the "lifestyle." I often think it would be good for us later on. MY caution is to plan carefully and have a back-up plan.

    About 10 years ago I bought a little boat from a man. He and his wife had bought a new truck, a new fifth wheel and the boat for their retirement adventure. One week into the trip, he had a heart attack, While in the hospital, his colon cancer was discovered.

    In two weeks he went from the adventure of a lifetime to stuck at home, payments on three big new things he couldn't use, huge medical payments, and his savings almost gone. His problems would have been compounded had he had no home to return to.

    Do it, but have a back-up plan. I have seen people go from family house to vacation house to retirement house to in-town house (near the doctors), to kid's house, to assisted living... The retirement house, thought to be the last spot was just temporary, as were the others. The only living arrangement that is permanent for us is in a casket or an urn. Be financially able to change arrangements when your life requires it.

    Matt B
  • Maybe they're just jealous?
    I don't fulltime but, I admire everyone who follows their dreams and choses the lifestyle that is best for them, not what others try to chose for them...