Hello,Let me first give you some background. I am a married women- my husband has had this idea of living in an RV traveling around the US for years. He had a mandatory retirement date, so when it came close, we started to get serious about what we'd buy. Anyway, fast forward to Spring of 2013. We put the house on the market. It took until Sept to find a buyer. Our daughter was still living with us at the time. In Dec 2013, my husband officially retired. Then two days later, our daughter moved into her apartment. 2 weeks later, we went to closing and were on the road.I had a very hard time of it. Empty nester- whatever. I really didn't have time to adjust to any of the changes. Then on top of it, we were moving from place to place about weekly. (there were some places we stayed for 2 weeks). I am better about things now, but I still am missing my family, my friends, my comfort zone. Yes, with cellphone and the internet- we stay in touch- but I miss the face to face contact with people that know my "life story". We are meeting such nice people in the campgrounds (we are very friendly and so are most people that camp). But, somehow its not the same. There is no permanent connection. So, I'm hoping I can reach out here for some suggestions. We get out the trailer everyday (mostly) and do something- whether its hiking, swimming, shopping. My husband has a kayak (I don't kayak). I read, do puzzles (word and jigsaw), write in journals, needlepoint. So I have hobbies also. Even if we stay in the campground, we go outside to sit or walk around. (if there aren't any activities- or swimming etc). We are heading back towards "home" in June for 6-7 weeks. Just for closure. I'm afraid I won't want to leave again. Please help. Thanks

Do you talk to your husband? My wife is exactly the same way. I know it and have resigned myself to that fact. As an alternative we volunteer camp host during the summer. We actually sold out in September too and are now living in our fiver until we find a house we can afford. But when we find it, she will have her house and I will have the fiver. She may or may not go with me camp hosting, that's up to her to decide. I think your husband was very selfish forcing you into this life. Maybe some marriage counseling would help. At least talk to him.

Exactly why I/we plan to keep my home and use my MH occasionally to take a monthly trip to the lake, and a few longer range from time to time. Just can't moving into a place smaller than my bedroom fulltime.

We're fortunate to both love the travel, seeing new places, constantly enjoying the route planning, etc. We keep a blog for friends who wish to follow and many do. To us, it's more relaxing than anything else. We do drop in on occasion and visit friends and they drop in on us. I can't imagine being retired and in one place all the time. The sometime drama and routine isn't for us. We have friends with one spouse that would love to be like us, while the other says no way. Who wins? My opinion is they both lose. We travel and still have the same friends and family; to each their own.

Nice to hear that I'm not the only one having a bit of a tough time with full timing. Jpcjane, I hear you loud and clear.

Hi,You are in an unusual situation. Most folks RV lots before jumping into full time with both feet.It should have been a joint decision to move to full time rv'ing. There need to be some long hard talks in your family.I was forced into full time, much earlier than I planned for--but that was also my own long term personal goal. I do miss my house, and I probably always will. I have accepted that loss.You are grieving just as if someone in your family died. Don't try to keep a stiff upper lip. Go and get some help in the form of counseling.

Having a hard time with full timing | Good Sam Community

bigwheelsturnin
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
i came back here to read the replies as we are embarking on the same plan...i just keep accepting what's to come..the person that said "grieving process"..is right..life changes are difficult & especially when our dreams of what we expected go awry...it's good to know..the we can talk about these things...pm me if you'd like...Vera
nbargolf
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
Second on the volunteering. We volunteer in state parks and love it. Not much real work involved and it keeps you active. We have meet some of our now best friends who do the same. We have a summer place and several winter places. We travel when we want. If fact this summer we, along with one of the friends we met volunteering are going to Alaska. We have found no real downside to volunteering at state park, perks are best campsites in the state, FHU , great people to work with. What's not to like give it a try.
bigwheelsturnin
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
we've been in the RV in SC for work...about 7 yrs now....house in NC...so we're used to the lifestyle...we sell the house...this year...hopefully.
i used to think that way...a little...but getting older...hard to be responsible for house and camper..lots of $$ saved by selling house...hit the road..& throw caution to the wind...
we got wheels and can visit the kids...they got wheels too...it'll be okay..
usnret
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
We have been true full-timers since last June but had been extended RVers since March of 2012. During that time we were gate attendants at Blanton Creek Park (GA) while we waited for the house to sell. During the last two winter season we stayed at Adelaide Shores RV Resort in Avon Park,FL. We had tons of fun and met many wonderful people. There were lots of activities and we were around like minded people. Some were extended RVers and many were full-timers like us. We are now headed to Madras, Oregon to host at Pelton Park CG. Once we finished our gig at Blanton Creek last Labor Day we traveled north to VA and meandered south arriving at our snowbird park just after Thanksgiving. As we traveled south we stayed between one and two weeks at each of the stops in between. Judy liked staying two weeks when possible. Judy has told me many times how much she is enjoying life now. One day we will settle back down but for now we like the highway. Take a look at our blog and the links included therein and you may find something to help with the transition. Hope this helps. We will be wintering in AZ next winter. Maybe we will see y'all there.
John_Joey
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
BarbaraOK wrote:
John&Joey wrote:
BarbaraOK wrote:
...snip... Going through the process of getting to fulltiming with a group of people was great and we still meet up with them throughout the country - though after 8 years only a handful of us are still out here.

Barb

Very curious what you think caused the group to shrink? Or was it a combination of things?

For most it has been health reasons. Time takes a toll on all of us. For a few it was family.

Barb

That makes a lot of sense. Just yesterday we drove thru a park that we spent the winter at five years ago. Many of our old neighbors that had park models were no longer their for health reasons also.

Thanks for the reply.
sowego
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
You've gotten a lot of opinions but it sounds like you are working on your own solution.

Everyone does life differently and their opinions and what works for them offers lots of ideas.

Are you living instead of vacationing or the opposite...does it matter? Do you want some set plans or shun them?

We all know life never remains the same...change is inevitable!
I believe blending different ideas until you figure it all out is one possible solution.

Give this new change more time but if you think you are unhappy...change things up a bit and pick up on some of these poster's ideas.
WoodGlue
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
If you're having trouble with campground WiFi, you might want to get your own connection via a device called a MiFi, through somewhere like Millinecom:

Millenicom

This would allow you to use Skype in a way that at least you'd be able to have "Face Time" with some of your loved ones. Seeing someone you love matters a lot.

I hope this idea helps,

WoodGlue
Executive45
Explorer III
Mar 23, 2014
jcpjane wrote:
/snip/But it's just getting to places we need to be in certain areas at specific times. So now until June we're moving around.

Wait! What?

If you need to get to places you need to be in certain areas at specific times, you're not yet enjoying the FREEDOM of full timing. No wonder you're getting upset. Not trying to pry here, but IMHO, the RV lifestyle allows you to cut those ties that mean you have a schedule to follow, places to be, people to see etc. Until those ties are cut and you and your husband decide on where you go, you'll continue to be unhappy. People ask us all the time where we will be on a particular date and I can't tell them...when the grandkids come this summer, they'll determine where we go....that's part of the fun for us and the excitement for them. You would be surprised how much a pair of 14 yr olds love to plan trips.....Dennis
BarbaraOK
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
John&Joey wrote:
BarbaraOK wrote:
...snip... Going through the process of getting to fulltiming with a group of people was great and we still meet up with them throughout the country - though after 8 years only a handful of us are still out here.

Barb

Very curious what you think caused the group to shrink? Or was it a combination of things?

For most it has been health reasons. Time takes a toll on all of us. For a few it was family.

Barb
John_Joey
Explorer
Mar 22, 2014
BarbaraOK wrote:
...snip... Going through the process of getting to fulltiming with a group of people was great and we still meet up with them throughout the country - though after 8 years only a handful of us are still out here.

Barb

Very curious what you think caused the group to shrink? Or was it a combination of things?