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Dano1955's avatar
Dano1955
Explorer
Mar 19, 2016

New user, have looked around a bit, first post

Looked for and found this forum and signed up recently (couple of days ago).

I was laid off from my job of 34 years last September and took my retirement. Over the past few months have been pondering my situation and future and have looked at the RV life as a full time option. It really interests me, and there are many places I've been that I would like to go again, and many I've never seen that I would love to.

I will begin drawing SS starting next February when I turn 62. Decision is made, even my Financial Planner can't talk me out of that. Doesn't matter to me if I can get $800 more a month if I wait another decade. Pooh! Have half a dozen friends that had that waiting plan that died in late 50's to mid 60's. They were all about my age. That could happen to me. Hell as a smoker of 49 years, it probably will. I intend to get some of my money back from Uncle Sugar while I can.

I have some resources other than that though. A condo I can rent for at least twice my mortgage, a cash out of a company 401k, stuff like that in addition to SS.

My original thoughts were on buying a really nice new 5th and a 2500/3500 to tow it, but lately I've been looking at late model low mileage Class A's that I could tow my little beater truck around with that would cost me about the same. Will decide when the time comes.

Looking back this is sort of long and rambly, but I'll post it anyway to see if I get any comments, suggestions or resource ideas for my hunt. BTW, for me the destination is the priority, the journey is just getting me there and sitting 4-6 months, then getting somewhere else for another 6 months. Follow the sun ya know, winters in the SW, summers in the Rockies and Northern states.

I've been told that monthly fees for 50amp, water and sewer are $1000 per month sometimes more. If that's the case then this probably won't be for me, but I'll do some checking. Hopefully there are some nice places where I'll be going that won't be that much.

Anyway to close, any comments, suggestions, ideas would be welcome.

Thanks for taking the time.

Dan
  • Thanks for the replies and info everyone. Yes 2oldman I've been told to quit since I started when I was 12. And I have, a thousand times. I don't think 1001 or 1100 will make a difference. Anyway won't be going into Cali, I'm a hunter and will be taking my gun safe with me, contains both rifles and handguns. If needs be I'll map a course around any of the "anti-gun" states.
  • You know, like every thing, prices vary. If you go to Southern California, if you stay in Palm Springs, $1000+, but if you go 50 miles south to Slab City, you can stay for free. So its all relative. Around me, on the ocean you can find some parks for under $400 a month, but you have to like the rain.
    Have you ever done any RVing. It isn't for everyone. Some find them very claustrophobic. Some folks, like my better half, are pack rats and can't bear to part with anything. RVs get full quick.
    Also RVs go from cheaply made to custom made. The cheap ones will give you more trouble than they are worth, so ask around and buy the best you can afford. The unfortunate thing with RVs is they depreciate. When you go out looking for your perfect RV, you will see a lot of low mileage vehicles. We saw one last week, a 2015 with less than 5000 miles, the gentleman bought a small Class A, and then didn't like it and traded it in for a truck and TT. He must have lost money on that deal.
    If you haven't RVed before, I would really suggest renting one for at least a week to see if you really like the lifestyle.
    What ever you decide, welcome to the forum, come back and ask all the questions that you can think of, these guys are great.
  • Might reach $1,000 a month if you choose a fancy RV resort in a very popular area. But besides work-camping gigs, there are lots of less expensive places. Get yourself the Federal Senior Interagency Pass (at age 62, it's $10 and lasts forever. It will get you half-price camping at lots and lots of National Park, Forest Service, BLM, COE and other campgrounds. Some of these do have electricity and water for as little as $8-$10 a night. And if you don't insist on having both every night, and can go for a few days on batteries and your fresh water tank, you can Boondock for free for a few days before hitting one of those campgrounds to recharge both batteries and water tank.

    BLM lands at Quartzite, you can camp for about 7 months for a total of $180. So consider that $1,000 figure the Gold Plated plan.
  • Dano1955 wrote:
    Have half a dozen friends that had that waiting plan that died in late 50's to mid 60's... Hell as a smoker of 49 years, it probably will. I intend to get some of my money back from Uncle Sugar while I can.
    If you continue smoking, yes, absolutely do it now. Were I you I'd get rid of that habit asap. No, it won't be easy. 49 years is a long time. I'm sorry to be the nanny here but RV life will be very difficult with emphysema or a host of other problems from smoking.

    The Palm Springs area of So Cal will be that expensive, Arizona not so much.
  • I've been told that monthly fees for 50amp, water and sewer are $1000 per month sometimes more. If that's the case then this probably won't be for me, but I'll do some checking. Hopefully there are some nice places where I'll be going that won't be that much.

    CHECK OUT THE WORKKAMPING FORUM>
    YOU do some work your site is free.
    National Park Service and other government agencies offer near the same thing

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